Key takeaways:
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an oral medication that can help treat or prevent the flu. It’s safe for kids and babies as young as 2 weeks (14 days) old.
Tamiflu works best if it’s started within 48 hours (2 days) of when your child first experiences symptoms or is exposed to someone who’s sick with the flu.
Tamiflu side effects are usually mild. The most common side effect for children is vomiting. Giving doses with food can help limit this.
Tamiflu is available as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you save over 65% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies.
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Has your little one suddenly come down with symptoms like cough, a fever, and fatigue? It could be the flu. Symptoms can look different depending on your child’s age (baby, toddler, or child). But fast treatment can help with a speedy recovery.
If your child’s pediatrician has recommended treatment with Tamiflu (oseltamivir), it’s normal to have questions about how it works. When it comes to giving prescription flu medication to kids, safety is often a top concern. But rest assured — Tamiflu is safe for most kids. Let’s discuss.
What is Tamiflu?
Tamiflu is an oral medication that can treat or prevent the flu. It’s a first-choice medication for most people, including infants and pregnant women.
Tamiflu works by stopping the flu virus from making copies of itself in your body. This makes it harder for the virus to infect you or spread to other people. It also gives your immune system a chance to get ahead of the virus and clear your infection faster.
Is it worth giving Tamilfu to kids?
Yes, Tamiflu is worth giving to kids. Children younger than 5 years old have a higher risk of severe illness and complications from the flu than older children. This risk is even higher for kids under 2 years old and kids of any age with certain health conditions, such as asthma or diabetes.
Tamiflu and other antiviral flu medications work best when they’re given within the first 48 hours (2 days) of being sick or exposed to someone who’s sick. And some studies show that Tamiflu may be even more effective for kids when it’s given within the first 24 hours.
Tamiflu starts working right away to help fight the flu virus. But it can take a few days before your child starts feeling better.
Tamilfu can help shorten the length of time your child is sick by about one day. It may also lower the risk of complications from the flu. These include ear or lung infections that require antibiotics to treat.
But what if it's been longer than 48 hours since your child became sick? Is Tamilfu worth it then? Give your child’s pediatrician a call if it’s been longer than 48 hours. They can evaluate your child’s symptoms and determine if Tamiflu should still be given. In severe cases (such as if they’re hospitalized for the flu), it may still help up to 4 to 5 days after flu symptoms start.
Is Tamiflu safe for kids?
Yes, Tamiflu is safe for kids. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends Tamiflu as the preferred option to treat the flu in kids. It can even safely treat flu symptoms in infants as young as 2 weeks old. And it can be prescribed to prevent the flu in children ages 1 year and older.
Even though Tamiflu can help prevent the flu after being exposed to someone who’s sick, it’s not a substitute for a flu vaccine. Keep your family safe by getting a yearly flu vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older. And contact your child’s pediatrician right away if you think they might have the flu.
Is there any downside to taking Tamiflu?
In general, Tamiflu is well tolerated by most children, and side effects are mild. The benefits of taking Tamiflu usually outweigh the risks, including in young infants. Your child’s pediatrician will help you decide if Tamiflu is the best choice.
Quiz: Test your knowledge about Tamiflu
What’s the recommended Tamiflu dose for kids?
Your child’s Tamiflu dosage will be based on their body weight if they’re age 12 or younger. Children who are age 13 or older can take the same dose as adults.
A healthcare professional will determine how much Tamiflu you should give at each dose for your child. Usually, children take one dose twice a day for 5 days to treat the flu. If they are taking Tamiflu for flu prevention, their dose will be taken once a day for at least 10 days.
Your child’s Tamiflu prescription will come as an oral suspension (liquid) that’s mixed by a pharmacist, or as an oral capsule if they can swallow pills. The oral suspension typically has a fruity flavor. But if taste is an issue, you can ask the pharmacist if they can add other flavoring. At home, your Tamiflu suspension can be stored in the fridge for up to 17 days, or at room temperature for up to 10 days. Be sure to shake the bottle well before each dose.
What are the most common Tamiflu side effects in kids?
Common Tamiflu side effects for any age group (children and adults) include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. For children between age 1 through 12, the most commonly reported side effect is vomiting. For infants younger than 1 year old, the most common side effects are vomiting, diarrhea, and diaper rash.
Tamiflu's side effects in children are generally mild. As mentioned earlier, the benefits of taking Tamiflu usually outweigh the risks. Giving doses with food can help limit or prevent stomach-related side effects.
Talk to your child’s pediatrician if you have concerns about any side effects during their treatment. And if your child throws up their dose of Tamiflu, reach out to your pharmacist or another healthcare professional. They can help you decide if you should give another dose.
How to save on Tamiflu
There are ways to save on Tamiflu, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. GoodRx can help you save over 65% off the average retail price of the generic version of Tamiflu. The price of one bottle of generic Tamiflu liquid at certain pharmacies is as low as $23.93 with a free GoodRx discount.
Frequently asked questions
There are three Tamiflu alternatives for kids. If your child is age 5 or older, the most likely alternative would be Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil). This is a single-dose, oral flu antiviral that works a bit differently from Tamiflu. Another potential Tamiflu alternative for children age 7 or older is Relenza (zanamivir), which comes as an inhaler. The third option is Rapivab (peramivir). This medication can be given to children age 6 months and older. But it’s only available as an IV medication. So it likely wouldn’t be a preferred option unless your child is hospitalized and receiving other IV medications.
Some healthcare professionals don’t like Tamiflu because it’s often prescribed to people who may not need it. And this can lead to unwanted side effects, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Not everyone that gets sick with the flu needs to take Tamiflu. Most people recover without treatment within 2 weeks. But if you have an increased risk of flu complications (such as kids under age 5), experts recommend taking Tamiflu. Your child’s pediatrician can help determine if they would benefit from this flu medication.
Check with a pharmacist before mixing Tamiflu oral liquid with other foods or beverages, such as milk or fruit juice. The manufacturer doesn’t specify whether it’s OK to do this. Pharmacies often offer flavoring services for liquid medications. These can help improve the taste without affecting the quality or stability of the medication.
Tamiflu capsules can be opened if you can’t swallow them whole. The contents of the capsule can be mixed with a small amount of sweetened liquid, such as chocolate syrup or corn syrup. You should mix them right before taking a dose. Don’t prepare the mixture ahead of time and save it for later.
There are three Tamiflu alternatives for kids. If your child is age 5 or older, the most likely alternative would be Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil). This is a single-dose, oral flu antiviral that works a bit differently from Tamiflu. Another potential Tamiflu alternative for children age 7 or older is Relenza (zanamivir), which comes as an inhaler. The third option is Rapivab (peramivir). This medication can be given to children age 6 months and older. But it’s only available as an IV medication. So it likely wouldn’t be a preferred option unless your child is hospitalized and receiving other IV medications.
Some healthcare professionals don’t like Tamiflu because it’s often prescribed to people who may not need it. And this can lead to unwanted side effects, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Not everyone that gets sick with the flu needs to take Tamiflu. Most people recover without treatment within 2 weeks. But if you have an increased risk of flu complications (such as kids under age 5), experts recommend taking Tamiflu. Your child’s pediatrician can help determine if they would benefit from this flu medication.
Check with a pharmacist before mixing Tamiflu oral liquid with other foods or beverages, such as milk or fruit juice. The manufacturer doesn’t specify whether it’s OK to do this. Pharmacies often offer flavoring services for liquid medications. These can help improve the taste without affecting the quality or stability of the medication.
Tamiflu capsules can be opened if you can’t swallow them whole. The contents of the capsule can be mixed with a small amount of sweetened liquid, such as chocolate syrup or corn syrup. You should mix them right before taking a dose. Don’t prepare the mixture ahead of time and save it for later.
The bottom line
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is safe and effective for flu treatment and prevention in kids and infants. If you think your child has the flu or if they’ve been exposed to someone with the flu, contact their pediatrician right away. Tamiflu works best when given within the first 48 hours (2 days) of feeling symptoms or after exposure. Side effects are usually mild, with vomiting being the most common in kids.
Why trust our experts?
References
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CBS News Detroit. (2018). Doctor: Why your sick child may not need Tamiflu.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Influenza antiviral medications: Summary for clinicians.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Parents: Help children fight flu.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Treating flu with antiviral drugs.
Committee on Infectious Diseases. (2024). Recommendations for prevention and control of influenza in children, 2024–2025. Pediatrics.
Epic Pharma, LLC. (2023). Oseltamivir phosphate capsule [package insert]. DailyMed.
Sur, M., et al. (2022). Oseltamivir. StatPearls.
Uyeki, T. M. (2018). Oseltamivir treatment of influenza in children. Clinical Infectious Diseases.
