When Should You Take Tamiflu? (Plus 4 More Pharmacist-Backed Tips for Taking It)
Key takeaways:
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an antiviral medication used to treat and prevent the flu. It works best if you start taking it within 48 hours (2 days) of when you first feel symptoms.
Tamiflu comes as oral capsules and an oral suspension (liquid). The suspension can be helpful for young children and people who have trouble swallowing pills.
You can store both Tamiflu capsules and the suspension at room temperature. But refrigerating the suspension can help improve its taste.
Tamiflu is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. GoodRx can help make your prescription more affordable.
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Stuck in bed with the flu? You’re not alone. Each year, millions of people in the U.S. get sick with the seasonal flu. Most people feel the worst of their flu symptoms for about 4 to 7 days. In that time, you might wonder if anything can get you back on your feet sooner.
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) could be one solution. It’s an antiviral medication used to treat and prevent the flu in adults and kids. When taken at the right time, Tamiflu can shorten the amount of time you feel sick by about 1 to 2 days. But when should you start taking Tamiflu? Here, we’ll provide five tips to help you get the most out of this flu medication.
1. When should you take Tamiflu?
Tamiflu works best when taken within 48 hours (2 days) of the start of your flu symptoms. If taken promptly, it can lessen the severity of your symptoms.
Tamiflu can also shorten most people’s recovery time by about 1 to 2 days. But for people ages 65 or older, or those with chronic health conditions, it can shorten the flu by about 3 days. What’s more, Tamiflu lowers the risk of flu-related complications and being hospitalized for the flu.
If you’ve come in contact with someone who has the flu, Tamiflu can also help keep you from getting sick. You should take the first dose within 48 hours of contact with a person who’s sick for the best odds at preventing illness. Keep in mind, taking Tamiflu for flu prevention isn’t right for everyone. Your healthcare provider can tell you if this is an option for you.
2. Should you take Tamiflu with food?
You can take Tamiflu with or without food. But if Tamiflu upsets your stomach, try taking it with something to eat or a glass of milk. You’re less likely to experience stomach-related side effects if you’ve eaten a little bit of something.
Quiz: Test your knowledge about Tamiflu
3. What can you do about taking Tamiflu if swallowing pills is difficult?
Tamiflu comes in two dosage forms: oral capsules and an oral suspension (liquid). The oral suspension is typically prescribed for young children. But it can also be prescribed for people who have trouble swallowing pills. If you have a difficult time swallowing pills, ask your healthcare provider about Tamiflu oral suspension.
If Tamiflu oral suspension isn’t available at your pharmacy, there’s still an option to help. Tamiflu capsules can be opened if needed. Once opened, mix the contents of the capsule with a sweetened liquid, such as corn syrup or sugar-free chocolate syrup. Consume this mixture immediately. You should only open and mix one capsule at a time.
4. What should you do if you miss a dose of Tamiflu?
If you miss a dose of Tamiflu, take it as soon as you remember. But if there’s less than 2 hours left until your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at its usual time.
Never double up by taking two doses at the same time. Taking too much Tamiflu can cause uncomfortable side effects, such as nausea and vomiting.
5. How do you store Tamiflu?
You should store Tamiflu capsules in a cool, dry place. It’s usually best to keep the capsules in the container from which they’re dispensed. This protects them from light, heat, and moisture, which can damage the capsules and make them less effective. Be sure to always store all medications safely away from children.
Tamiflu oral suspension is good at room temperature for up to 10 days. You can also refrigerate it for up to 17 days. Refrigerating liquid Tamiflu helps to improve its taste. Be sure the medication doesn’t freeze, though.
How to save on Tamiflu
There are many ways to save on Tamiflu, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. GoodRx can help you save over 80% off the average retail price of the generic version.
The price of generic Tamiflu capsules at certain pharmacies is as low as $24.72 with a free GoodRx discount. And the price of generic Tamiflu suspension may be as low as $21.76.
The bottom line
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an antiviral medication used to treat and prevent the flu. It’s best to start taking Tamiflu within 48 hours (2 hours) of feeling symptoms. Doing so can help shorten your recovery time and lessen symptom severity. You can take Tamiflu with or without food. But taking it with food may help lessen or prevent stomach upset.
Tamiflu is available in capsules and an oral suspension (liquid). The suspension can be helpful if you have trouble swallowing pills. You can store Tamiflu capsules and suspension at room temperature. But refrigerating the suspension may help it taste better.
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References
Butler, C. C., et al. (2019). Oseltamivir plus usual care versus usual care for influenza-like illness in primary care: An open-label, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial. Lancet.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Disease burden of flu.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). What you should know about flu antiviral drugs.
MedlinePlus. (2018). Oseltamivir.
MedlinePlus. (2022). Storing your medicines.
Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. (2023). Oseltamivir phosphate capsule [package insert].
Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. (2023). Oseltamivir phosphate for suspension [package insert].
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