Key takeaways:
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an antiviral medication that treats and prevents the flu. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that helps manage pain and fever.
In most cases, Tylenol and Tamiflu can be taken together. There are no known drug interactions between the two medications.
Many prescription-only and OTC products contain acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. It’s important to read medication labels so you don't accidentally take too much Tylenol from different sources.
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If you find yourself battling the flu, you may be prescribed Tamiflu (oseltamivir). This antiviral medication is effective at treating and preventing seasonal influenza (the flu). But it doesn’t directly address common flu symptoms, like a pounding headache, fever, and muscle aches. So you may end up wondering if you can take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever, like Tylenol (acetaminophen), with Tamiflu.
The simple answer is yes. Most people can safely take Tylenol and Tamiflu together. But there are some details to consider before you do.
Can you take Tylenol and Tamiflu together?
Yes, most people can take Tylenol and Tamiflu together. There are no known drug interactions between these two medications.
Though, not everyone has the green light. People with liver problems — and those who frequently drink large amounts of alcohol, meaning more than three alcoholic drinks per day — should speak with a healthcare provider before taking this combination. That’s because Tylenol is broken down by the liver.
How Tylenol and alcohol can affect Tamiflu
Drinking alcohol while you’re sick can make it harder to recover from the flu. In turn, this can make it harder for Tamiflu to do its job. Because of this, it's best to limit your alcohol intake while you have the flu.
Also, excessive alcohol intake can cause or worsen liver damage, especially when paired with Tylenol. The risk is more significant with higher dosages of Tylenol (more than 4,000 mg per day). Tylenol is much less likely to cause liver problems when taken at recommended dosages.
Keep in mind: Tylenol’s active ingredient, acetaminophen, is found in many OTC cold and flu medications. It's also found in prescription-only pain medications like hydrocodone / acetaminophen. Avoid accidentally doubling up on Tylenol by carefully reviewing the labeling of all OTC and prescription-only medications you take.
How quickly will Tylenol and Tamiflu relieve my symptoms?
Tylenol kicks in soon after you take a dose. It generally takes 45 minutes or less for the medication to start relieving your symptoms.
On the other hand, Tamiflu’s effects can take time. In general, you should start to feel better after a few days of starting treatment with Tamiflu.
Without treatment, flu symptoms typically last about 1 week. Tamiflu can decrease the severity of your symptoms and shorten your illness by about 1 to 2 days. What’s more, for older adults with chronic medical conditions, it may shorten the total recovery time by about 2 to 3 days.
How often can you take Tylenol and Tamiflu?
Tylenol and Tamiflu have different dosages. You should take Tamiflu once or twice a day for 5 to 10 days, but you can take Tylenol as needed for pain or fever.
Tylenol dosages
How often you can take a Tylenol product depends on its specific dose. Tylenol is available as 325 mg, 500 mg, and 650 mg tablets. It also comes as 160 mg chewable tablets and a 160 mg per 5 mL liquid for kids.
With the 325 mg pills, adults and children over 12 years of age can take up to 2 pills (650 mg) every 4 hours as needed. With the 500 mg pills, you can take up to 2 pills (1,000 mg) every 6 hours as needed. And with the 650 mg pills, you can take up to 2 pills (1,300 mg) every 8 hours. The recommended liquid dosage is 20 mL (640 mg) every 4 hours as needed.
Tylenol dosages for children age 2 to 11 years old are based on body weight. In general, doses can be given every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
Tamiflu dosages
Tamiflu is available as 30 mg, 45 mg, and 75 mg capsules. It also comes as a liquid for people who have trouble swallowing pills.
For flu treatment, adults and children age 13 and older can take 75 mg (1 capsule) twice daily for 5 days. If you’re trying to prevent the flu, you can take 75 mg once daily for at least 10 days.
For children, specific Tamiflu dosages are based on age and body weight. Most kids can take Tamiflu twice daily for 5 days for flu treatment. And they can take it once daily for at least 10 days for flu prevention.
Do any cold and flu medications interact with Tylenol or Tamiflu?
Depending on how sick you are, you may want to take other OTC cold and flu medications to make your symptoms more manageable.
There are no known drug interactions between Tamiflu and OTC cold and flu medications. But it's important to remember that many cold and flu medications contain acetaminophen. If you take Tylenol on top of an OTC product that contains acetaminophen, you may end up taking too much.
Common acetaminophen-containing combination products include:
NyQuil Cold and Flu (acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / doxylamine)
Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Cold and Flu (acetaminophen / dextromethorphan hydrobromide / guaifenesin / doxylamine succinate)
Advil Dual Action (ibuprofen / acetaminophen)
Is Advil safe to take with Tamiflu?
Yes, most people can also take Tamiflu and Advil (ibuprofen) together. There are no known drug interactions between the two.
However, it may not be the safest combination for people with kidney problems. And Advil should be avoided during pregnancy (especially after 20 weeks).
Kidney problems
Tamiflu is broken down by the kidneys. Tamiflu dosages should be lowered for people with moderate-to-severe kidney problems because of this. Otherwise, the medication could build up in the body and lead to extra side effects.
Advil is also broken down by the kidneys. So taking it with Tamiflu could potentially increase the risk of kidney-related health problems. If you have kidney problems, Tylenol is likely safer than Advil.
Pregnancy
Tamiflu is considered safe to take during pregnancy. It helps reduce the risk of complications from the flu, too.
However, this isn’t the case for Advil. It’s best to avoid Advil during the second half of a pregnancy. Its safety during early pregnancy is less clear. But taking Advil — or any products that contain ibuprofen — before 20 weeks of pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defects.
The bottom line
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is FDA approved to treat and prevent the flu. Tylenol (acetaminophen) helps manage pain and fever. Most people can safely take them together. But people with liver problems and those who drink large amounts of alcohol should speak with a healthcare provider before trying this combination.
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References
Bayer Healthcare LLC. (2022). Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Cold and Flu Day and Night - acetaminophen, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, guaifenesin, doxylamine succinate kit [package insert]. DailyMed.
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Holdings (US) LLC. (2022). Advil Dual Action With Acetaminophen Back Pain - ibuprofen, acetaminophen tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
