Highlights
- Tamiflu is an antiviral medication called a neuraminidase inhibitor. Its generic name is oseltamivir.
- Oseltamivir reduces flu symptoms when patients take it within 48 hours of onset of symptoms.
- Tamiflu is also available as prophylaxis for high-risk individuals following suspected exposure to the virus. However, it isn’t recommended for flu prevention for everyone.
Tamiflu is a neuraminidase inhibitor — an antiviral medication that stops the influenza virus from spreading. Doctors prescribe it within 48 hours of onset of a suspected flu infection. Tamiflu is occasionally used to prevent the flu in certain groups of people.
Although Tamiflu is effective in reducing the severity of flu symptoms, like any drug, it has limitations and side effects. Understanding more about it is essential for anyone who wants to make an informed decision before taking the drug.
What Is Tamiflu?
Tamiflu is the brand name of the antiviral medication oseltamivir. Oseltamivir specifically targets the influenza virus. When taken within 48 hours of symptom onset, it can prevent the flu virus from spreading throughout the body.
How Does Tamiflu Work?
When the flu virus enters the body, it produces an enzyme called neuraminidase. Without neuraminidase, the flu struggles to spread further and cause symptoms.
Tamiflu works by blocking neuraminidase, making it harder for the virus to break free from infected cells and spread elsewhere. As a result, the virus slows down and the body’s immune system has an easier time destroying it.
Tamiflu only works when it’s taken within 48 hours after symptoms begin. As with many viruses, the flu multiplies rapidly and effectively in the first 48 hours. Taking it as early as possible stalls rapid multiplication, reducing the severity of the virus and its symptoms.
It’s important to remember that Tamiflu won’t tackle all flu virus strains. Some people may need other forms of treatment, including supportive care. Alternative neuraminidase inhibitors include zanamivir and peramivir.
Who Should Use Tamiflu?
Tamiflu can treat the flu and is also available as a form of prevention (prophylaxis). The CDC provides guidelines for when Tamiflu is appropriate for use in both situations.
According to the CDC, doctors should prescribe Tamiflu for the following groups of people who have suspected or confirmed flu cases:
- Hospitalized patients
- People with severe, complicated, or progressive illnesses
- People who are at high risk of developing flu complications
Doctors can also use their judgment to prescribe Tamiflu to a patient who is otherwise healthy. Because antiviral drugs are most effective when started within 48 hours of symptom onset, doctors usually won’t wait for lab results before prescribing them.
Tamiflu for Flu Prevention
The CDC doesn’t recommend using Tamiflu as prophylaxis for everyone. Instead, it recommends using seasonal flu vaccinations.
However, for people in certain groups, it may be advisable to use an antiviral medication for flu prevention.
Those groups include:
- High-risk people following exposure. A person who is at high risk of developing severe complications may take Tamiflu in the first two weeks after vaccination following exposure to the virus.
- People who can’t receive the vaccination. People who can’t receive the influenza vaccination who are at high risk may also use Tamiflu following exposure to an infected person.
- Individuals who are immunocompromised. People who are immunocompromised may use Tamiflu after exposure to the virus, whether or not they show symptoms.
Even for people in these high-risk groups, the CDC recommends doctors don’t prescribe Tamiflu as prophylaxis more than 48 hours after an exposure.
What Are the Benefits and Side Effects of Tamiflu?
As with any medication, there are benefits and risks to taking Tamiflu.
Tamiflu Benefits
- Reduces the severity of symptoms. When taken within 48 hours of symptoms starting, Tamiflu reduces symptom severity. In one review of existing evidence, researchers found hospitalizations were by 52 percent following Tamiflu treatment.
- Can be used as flu prophylaxis. One study found that when used as prophylaxis among high-risk groups, Tamiflu reduced symptomatic influenza by 55 percent. Although this study didn’t find a decrease in hospitalizations, Tamiflu did reduce the time to alleviation of symptoms by 16.8 hours.
- Easy to use. Tamiflu is widely available as an oral medication that’s easy to use. It also comes in a liquid form, making it easier for children to take.
- Can be used for all ages. Tamiflu is available to those aged one and above, making it an appropriate medication for people of most ages.
Tamiflu Side Effects
Most side effects of Tamiflu are mild and resolve after two days. Around 8 percent of adults and 10% of children who take Tamiflu experience nausea and vomiting.
Other possible side effects include headache, abdominal pain, nosebleeds, and fatigue.
More serious — but rare — side effects can include allergic reactions and an increased risk of seizures or confusion in children and teenagers who have flu symptoms.
One study reveals that taking Tamiflu may increase the risk of adverse neuropsychiatric events. However, it’s important to note that the study focuses on dosages that are higher than CDC-recommended guidelines.
Tamiflu Drug Interactions
Some drugs can have adverse interactions with Tamiflu, including:
- Leflunomide. Leflunomide is an anti-inflammatory that’s used in patients who have arthritis.
- Nitisinone. Nitisinone prevents the body from breaking down an amino acid called tyrosine. It’s used in a rare genetic condition called HT-1.
- Teriflunomide. Teriflunomide treats relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.
Note that no drug interaction list is complete, so be sure your medical providers know about all medications and supplements you use before taking Tamiflu.
If you experience fever or respiratory symptoms or any other unusual or alarming symptoms after starting a course of Tamiflu, let your provider know immediately.
Conclusion
Tamiflu is an effective treatment for those who have suspected or confirmed flu cases. It’s important to start it within 48 hours of symptom onset. With flu prevention, only those who are at high risk should take it following exposure to a suspected case.
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