Key takeaways:
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an FDA-approved antiviral medication that helps treat and prevent the flu by keeping the virus from multiplying in the body.
Without insurance, a 10-capsule dose pack of generic Tamiflu costs around $53.83 for the 75 mg dose. For brand-name Tamiflu, you might pay about $181.29 for the equivalent quantity, form, and dose.
Use a GoodRx coupon to save money on Tamiflu, and compare pharmacy prices to find the best deal.
Save on related medications
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an FDA-approved antiviral medication used to treat and prevent influenza (the flu) by stopping the virus from replicating in the body. Both brand-name Tamiflu and its generic version are available in capsule and oral suspension (liquid) forms. The capsules are more commonly used and come in 30 mg, 45 mg, and 75 mg doses.
The way you take Tamiflu depends on whether you're using it for treatment or prevention. For flu treatment, the typical dose is one 75 mg capsule twice a day for 5 days. For prevention, it’s usually one 75 mg capsule daily for 7 to 10 days, though your prescriber might recommend a longer course. If you have kidney problems, you may be prescribed a lower dose of Tamiflu. Your dosage may also be adjusted based on your age and body weight.
How much does Tamiflu cost?
The price of generic Tamiflu without insurance varies based on the prescribed dose and whether you need capsule or liquid form. For adults and children ages 13 and older, a typical prescription of generic Tamiflu, consisting of a 10-count pack of 75 mg strength capsules, costs around $53.83. The table below shows what you might pay for the medication at some pharmacies:
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) version | Quantity and form | Dose | Average retail price |
|---|---|---|---|
Generic | 10 capsules | 30 mg | |
Generic | 10 capsules | 45 mg | |
Generic | 10 capsules | 75 mg | |
Brand name | 10 capsules | 30 mg | |
Brand name | 10 capsules | 45 mg | |
Brand name | 10 capsules | 75 mg |
Tamiflu also comes as an oral suspension, which is helpful for children and people with difficulty swallowing. The 60 mL bottle comes in a 6 mg/mL concentration, and you’d need about two bottles for the recommended treatment and prevention dose. Without insurance, the cost of two 60 mL bottles of generic Tamiflu is approximately $134.85. But you may pay around $356.15 for two 60 mL bottles of the brand-name version.
What factors affect the cost of Tamiflu?
The cost of Tamiflu may vary based on the following factors:
Location: Your location can significantly impact what you pay for prescription medications. Research by GoodRx shows that prescription prices are typically higher in certain places, including New Orleans, while other locations such as Denver often offer prices below the national average.
Pharmacy: Prescription prices can vary widely between pharmacies, even in the same area.
Insurance: If you have insurance, your cost-sharing amounts — such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance — can affect how much you pay for Tamiflu.
Generic vs. brand-name: The generic version, oseltamivir, generally costs less than brand-name Tamiflu.
Dose: The number of capsules you need for flu treatment or prevention can affect your overall cost.
Form: Oseltamivir capsules are often more affordable than the oral suspension. This price difference also applies to brand-name Tamiflu, with capsules typically costing less than the liquid version.
Does insurance cover Tamiflu?
Most health insurance plans typically cover flu prevention services, such as the flu shot, at no cost when administered by a healthcare professional in your network. These plans usually don’t require prior authorization or step therapy for flu vaccines. However, coverage may vary widely between generic and brand-name medications such as Tamiflu.
Be sure to check your insurance plan’s summary of benefits and coverage and formulary to see whether generic or brand-name Tamiflu are covered.
How different insurance plans cover Tamiflu
The following tables show your likelihood of coverage, as well as the need for prior authorization and step therapy, with different types of insurance plans for Tamiflu and generic Tamiflu:
Insurance type for brand-name Tamiflu | Enrollees covered for this medication | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
Affordable Care Act (ACA, also known as Obamacare) plans | 24.6% | 9.2% | 0% |
Commercial (not including ACA plans) | 75.6% | 11.2% | 5.3% |
Medicare (original Medicare and Medicare Advantage) | 6.9% | 1.2% | 0% |
Medicaid (including state-run and managed care plans) | 99.4% | 56.9% | 0.8% |
Insurance type for generic Tamiflu | Enrollees covered for this medication | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
ACA plans | 99.7% | 0% | 0% |
Commercial (not including ACA plans) | 99.3% | 0.5% | 0.1% |
Medicare | 100% | 0% | 0% |
Medicaid | 99.9% | 10.3% | 2.9% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of September 26, 2024. (See methodology below)
Ways to save on Tamiflu
Regardless of whether you have insurance, here are four ways to save on Tamiflu:
1. Get a GoodRx coupon
A free GoodRx coupon can help you save significantly on your Tamiflu prescription at some pharmacies. The savings are even greater on the generic version of the medication. Here’s what you can expect to pay for different doses of generic and brand-name Tamiflu when using a GoodRx coupon.
What is it like to take Tamiflu? Read three people’s experiences with this flu medication.
Nausea and vomiting are relatively common side effects of Tamiflu. Here are some other side effects you should be aware of, as well as tips for how to manage them.
Have questions about your Tamiflu prescription? Pharmacists answer frequently asked questions about this medication.
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) version | Quantity and form | Dose | GoodRx price |
|---|---|---|---|
Generic | 10 capsules | 30 mg | |
Generic | 10 capsules | 45 mg | |
Generic | 10 capsules | 75 mg | |
Generic | 1 bottle (60 mL) of oral suspension | 6 mg/mL | |
Generic | 2 bottles (120 mL) of oral suspension | 6 mg/mL | |
Brand name | 10 capsules | 30 mg | |
Brand name | 10 capsules | 45 mg | |
Brand name | 10 capsules | 75 mg | |
Brand name | 1 bottle (60 mL) of oral suspension | 6 mg/mL | |
Brand name | 2 bottles (120 mL) of oral suspension | 6 mg/mL |
Get your free GoodRx coupon by visiting www.goodrx.com or downloading the GoodRx app. GoodRx can also help you compare prescription prices at various pharmacies in your area.
2. Request a 90-day prescription
During flu outbreaks or for people with weakened immune systems, Tamiflu can be prescribed for up to 6 or 12 weeks. If this is your situation, consider asking your prescriber for a 90-day prescription. Many pharmacies offer discounts for larger quantities, and insurers might have lower copays for 90-day supplies, saving you both time and money.
3. Consider a mail-order pharmacy
For longer-term Tamiflu use, a mail-order pharmacy can be convenient and cost-effective. Medications are delivered directly to your home, eliminating the need for trips to the pharmacy. Plus, some health plans offer discounts or incentives for using their mail-order service.
4. Use your HSA or FSA funds
When picking up your Tamiflu prescription, take advantage of your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA). You can use your HSA or FSA card at the pharmacy counter or pay out of pocket and get reimbursed later. Don’t forget to use your FSA funds before they expire so you don’t miss out on any savings.
The bottom line
Without insurance, a 10-capsule dose pack of generic Tamiflu (oseltamivir) costs around $53.83 for the 75 mg dose. But prices may vary based on your prescribed dose, the pharmacy you use, and whether you opt for the generic or brand-name version. To save on Tamiflu, consider using a GoodRx coupon and comparing prices at various pharmacies. You can also tap into your tax-advantaged accounts — your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) — to reduce your cost.
Why trust our experts?
Methodology
National prescription coverage data for each medication was obtained from Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT), reflecting health insurance coverage as of September 2024. The percentage of enrollees in plans that cover each medication was calculated by dividing the number of enrollees covered for the drug within a specific insurance channel (e.g., ACA, Medicare, Medicaid) by the total number of enrollees in all plans within that channel. Similarly, the percentage of enrollees in plans with a prior authorization (PA) requirement was determined by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that require prior authorization for the medication within each channel. The percentage of enrollees in plans with a step therapy (ST) requirement was calculated as the proportion of enrollees in plans that impose step therapy requirements for the medication in each channel. These estimates, derived from national MMIT coverage data, provide insight into the health insurance coverage landscape for each drug, taking into account restrictions such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits. The percentages are expressed relative to the total population of enrollees covered by insurance across various channels — including ACA; commercial insurance, excluding ACA plans; Medicare; and Medicaid (both state-run and managed care plans).
References
Genentech, Inc. (2023). Tamiflu- oseltamivir phosphate capsule and Tamiflu- oseltamivir phosphate powder, for suspension [package insert]. DailyMed.
Healthcare.gov. (n.d.). Preventative health services.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care.
