Tamiflu
The flu is a contagious virus that is spread from one person to another through tiny droplets that are released into the air when a person infected with the flu coughs or sneezes.
Influenza Treatment Service
About the Flu
- The flu is a contagious virus that is spread from one person to another through tiny droplets that are released into the air when a person infected with the flu coughs or sneezes.
- Sometimes, people can become infected by touching their nose or mouth after touching something infected by the flu virus.
- Most healthy adults can infect others one day before they begin experiencing symptoms and up to five days after they become sick. That means you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
- A typical case of the flu can last up to one week.
- The flu can be a serious illness, particularly for mature populations aged 50 and older, and those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May.
Available dosages:
| Medicine | Quantity | Total Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamiflu Swine Flu Antiviral | 10 x 75mg | £35.00 | |
| Tamiflu Swine Flu Antiviral | 30 x 75mg | £100.00 | |
| Tamiflu Swine Flu Antiviral | 50 x 75mg | £130.00 |
Tamiflu for Flu Treatment and Prevention
When you or someone in your family begins to experience flu symptoms, you have 48 hours to take action. Trust Tamiflu, the number-one prescribed antiviral flu medicine:
- For flu treatment: When taken within two days of experiencing symptoms, Tamiflu works by helping to stop the flu virus from spreading inside the body
- For flu prevention: When you have been exposed to someone with the flu, taking Tamiflu can help keep the virus from making you sick
Tamiflu is not a substitute for the flu vaccine; vaccination is the first line of defence for flu protection.
Tamiflu is Effective for Children and Adults
In flu treatment studies of patients who took Tamiflu within 48 hours of the first appearance of symptoms:
- Adults felt better 30 percent faster (1.3 days) than flu patients who did not take Tamiflu
- Children felt better up to 26 percent faster (1.5 days) than flu patients who did not take Tamiflu
Tamiflu is indicated for the treatment and prevention of influenza in people 1 year and older.
Flu strains may vary from area to area, so if you are exposed to a strain of the flu that is not the same strain as the one your flu vaccine protects against, you may still get the flu.
Taking Tamiflu
Tamiflu is a prescription medication for flu prevention and treatment in adults and children aged 1 year and older.
- Tamiflu is available in capsule form.
- Tamiflu is also available in a fruit–flavoured liquid form with a dosing dispenser for children 1 year and older and for adults who have difficulty swallowing the capsule.
- Tamiflu can be taken with or without food. As with many medicines, if you take Tamiflu with a light snack, milk, or a meal, the potential for an upset stomach may be reduced.
Tamiflu Dosing Schedule
For Flu Treatment:
Take 1 dose, twice daily, for 5 days (see Tamiflu Dosage chart for dose amount)
For Flu Prevention:
Take 1 dose, once daily, for 10 days (see Tamiflu Dosage chart for dose amount)
Tamiflu Dosage by Age and Weight
Adults and Children 13 yrs. and older
- 1 Dose = One 75 mg pill
- 1 Dose = 75 mg
Children 1 - 12 yrs
- 33 lbs. or less (15 kg or less)
1 Dose = One 30 mg pill
1 Dose = 30 mg
- 34 lbs. - 51 lbs (16 kg - 23 kg)
1 Dose = One 45 mg pill
1 Dose = 45 mg
- 52 lbs. - 88 lbs (24 kg - 40 kg)
1 Dose = Two 30 mg pill
1 Dose = 60 mg
- 89 lbs. or more (41 kg or more)
1 Dose = One 75 mg pill
1 Dose = 75 mg
*The 75 mg dose can be measured using a combination of 30 mg and 45 mg.
In the event that the dispenser provided with the suspension is lost or damaged, another dosing syringe or other device may be used to deliver the following volumes:
- For children 33 lbs or less (15 kg or less): 2.5 mL (½ tsp)
- For children 34 lbs - 51 lbs (16 kg - 23 kg): 3.8 mL (¾ tsp)
- For children 52 lbs - 88 lbs (23 kg - 40 kg): 5.0 mL (1 tsp)
- For people 89 lbs or more (41 kg or more): 6.2 mL (1 ¼ tsp)
Compare Flu Types
A flu vaccination is your best chance to protect against the flu. However, flu strains may vary from area to area, so if you are exposed to a strain of the flu that is not the same strain as the one your vaccination protects against, you may still get the flu - and that's where Tamiflu may be able to help.
Flu Symptoms
The flu is characterized by a collection of symptoms that can often occur suddenly, including:
- Fever (higher than 100° F) A fever occurs when your body temperature increases in response to illness or injury. Your temperature is considered elevated when it is higher than 100°F.
- Chills Body chills that are not related to a cold environment can be a sign of the flu.
- Headache A headache associated with the flu may appear suddenly, and be related to body aches or nasal congestion you're experiencing.
- Extreme tiredness It's normal to feel tired at the end of a long day or when you don't get adequate sleep, but unexplained tiredness can be a sign of the flu.
- Dry cough Know your cough. A productive cough (coughing up mucus) is common with a cold, while a non-productive or dry cough (with no mucus) is associated with the flu.
- Sore throat Swelling in the throat can lead to a sore throat.
- Runny nose Runny nose may also occur but is more common in children than adults.
- Muscle aches While it is normal to feel body aches from physical overexertion, body aches that are sudden and unexplained can be a sign of the flu.
- Stomach symptoms Stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea are more common in children than in adults.
- Chest discomfort Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.
Cold vs Flu
Can you tell the difference between symptoms of flu and the common cold? To learn more about your symptoms, if they are associated with the flu, and how Tamiflu may help check out the Symptoms
| Symptom | Cold | Flu |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | Fever is rare with a cold. | Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu. |
| Coughing | A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold. | A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough). |
| Aches | Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. | Severe aches and pains are common with the flu. |
| Stuffy Nose | Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. | Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu. |
| Chills | Chills are uncommon with a cold. | 60% of people who have the flu experience chills. |
| Tiredness | Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. | Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu. |
| Sneezing | Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. | Sneezing is not common with the flu. |
| Sudden Symptoms | Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. | The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. |
| Headache | A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. | A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases. |
| Sore Throat | Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. | Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu. |
| Chest Discomfort | Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. | Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu. |
FAQ
What to Do if You Miss Your Tamiflu Dose?
If you forget to take your medicine at any time, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it is within 2 hours of your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses at a time to make up for a missed dose. You can then continue to take Tamiflu at the usual times.
Taking Tamiflu with Other Medications
Tamiflu has been shown to have a minimal chance of negatively interacting with other medications.
Your doctor or healthcare professional may recommend taking over–the–counter medications to reduce severity of symptoms while the antiviral action of Tamiflu takes effect on the flu virus. As with any medication, be sure to discuss with your doctor any over–the–counter or prescription medicines you are currently taking before beginning Tamiflu therapy. An intranasal flu vaccine should not be given within 2 weeks before or 48 hours after taking Tamiflu, unless it is deemed appropriate by your doctor.
Taking Tamiflu if You Have Kidney Disease
If you have any type of kidney disease, talk to your doctor before starting Tamiflu therapy. There is a special dosing schedule, as follows, for this group:
- Flu Treatment Dosage - One 75 mg dose, once daily for 5 days
- Flu Prevention Dosage - One 75 mg dose every other day or 30 mg dose once daily
Side Effects of Tamiflu
Rare but serious skin reactions and allergic reactions have been reported. Stop taking Tamiflu and call your doctor if you experience any of these reactions, as they could be very serious.
People with the flu, particularly children and adolescents, may be at an increased risk of self injury and confusion shortly after taking Tamiflu and should be closely monitored for signs of unusual behaviour. A healthcare professional should be contacted immediately if the patient taking Tamiflu shows any signs of unusual behaviour.
The most common side effects of Tamiflu are mild to moderate nausea and vomiting. Tamiflu is generally well tolerated.
Important Safety Information
Tamiflu is prescribed for treating adults and children 1 year and older with influenza (flu) whose symptoms started within the last day or two. Tamiflu can also reduce the chance of getting the flu in patients 1 year and older. Tamiflu is not a substitute for the annual flu vaccinations (you should still get the flu shot every year).
Before taking Tamiflu, tell our doctor if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you have kidney disease, heart disease, respiratory disease, or other serious health conditions. Also, let our doctor know if you are taking any other medications or if you have received a nasally administered influenza virus vaccine during the past two weeks.
If you develop an allergic reaction or a severe rash, stop taking Tamiflu and contact your healthcare professional immediately, as it may be very serious. People with the flu, particularly children and adolescents, may be at an increased risk of self injury and confusion shortly after taking Tamiflu and should be closely monitored for signs of unusual behaviour. A healthcare professional should be contacted immediately if the patient taking Tamiflu shows any signs of unusual behaviour.
In addition, take the following precautions when using Tamiflu:
- You should not take Tamiflu if you are allergic to oseltamivir phosphate or any other ingredients of Tamiflu.
- Tamiflu is normally not recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing, as the effects on the unborn child or nursing infant are unknown. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding while taking Tamiflu, talk to your doctor before taking Tamiflu.
- If you have any type of kidney disease, talk to your doctor before starting Tamiflu therapy.
- The use of Tamiflu along with an intranasal flu vaccine has not been evaluated. However, due to the possibility for interference between these products, an intranasal flu vaccine should not be given within 2 weeks before or 48 hours after taking Tamiflu, unless it is deemed appropriate by your doctor. The type of flu vaccine administered as a shot through the skin can be given at any time relative to use of Tamiflu.
As with any medication, be sure to discuss with our doctor any over–the–counter or prescription medicines you are currently taking before beginning Tamiflu therapy.
To take the first steps towards helping treat flu you can proceed with a consultation with one of our GMC registered doctors by simply adding your preferred treatment to your basket and checking out. Our doctors will then review your details and, if necessary, prescribe any relevant treatments. We will then dispatch your order in discreet packaging via free next day courier delivery.