Tamiflu 75mg Capsules

What is Tamiflu?

Tamiflu contains the active ingredient oseltamivir, which is an antiviral substance that is effective at treating and preventing both influenza A and B, the viruses that cause flu.

Tamiflu is prescribed to people who have had symptoms of flu for less than 48 hours but who are at high risk of developing complications as a result of the virus. It can also be prescribed to vulnerable people who have been exposed to the flu viruses as a prophylaxis to prevent them from developing symptoms.

For those that are prescribed Tamiflu, it is taken orally every day for between 5-10 days as directed by a doctor. Tamiflu is, however, not a substitute for the annual flu jab.

When to take Tamiflu?

If you already have the flu, Tamiflu can reduce the amount of time that you suffer from the flu and reduce the severity of the symptoms. It can also be used to prevent you from developing the flu if you have been, or are going to be, exposed to someone who already has it. We are able to prescribe Tamiflu privately for patients who would benefit from these scenarios.

There are more strict guidelines for when Tamiflu can be prescribed on the NHS. This is normally to people who are at high risk of developing health complications as a result of contracting the flu virus.

Risk factors include:

• Those over 65 years old
• You are immunocompromised
• You have a respiratory, heart, liver or kidney condition
• You have diabetes
• You have a neurological condition

If you fall into this category and have either been exposed to the flu virus or have had symptoms of flu for less than 48 hours, taking Tamiflu tablets can treat and prevent you from becoming increasingly unwell.

How does Tamiflu work?

Tamiflu contains the antiviral agent oseltamivir, which when taken orally is absorbed through the digestive symptom into the bloodstream. It then targets cells that have been invaded by the flu virus stopping them from being able to spread to other healthy cells.

This process confines the virus to a smaller area making the impact of the illness much less severe and allows the body’s immune system to combat the virus more easily and quickly.

How long does it take for Tamiflu to work?

Unlike antibiotics that quickly clear up bacterial infections, Tamiflu is an antiviral medicine that prevents further spread of the infection within the body. This means that it does not reduce the symptoms you are already experiencing but prevents it from worsening and reduces the duration that you will endure symptoms for.

Tamiflu and coronavirus

Tamiflu is used to treat and prevent symptoms of the flu caused by viruses influenza A and B. The virus that causes symptoms of coronavirus is from a different family and therefore is not effective at treating people infected with coronavirus or preventing you from contracting it.

If you think you have coronavirus, you should not leave your home, call NHS 111 for advice and take ibuprofen and paracetamol to manage your symptoms.

Tamiflu for children

Tamiflu can be taken by children over the age of 1-month-old. At The Independent Pharmacy, however, we are currently only able to issue Tamiflu to adults over the age of 18 years. If your child is suffering from the flu and you think they need Tamiflu you should speak to your doctor.

Sources

• https://www.tamiflu.com/
• https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/oseltamivir.html
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/
• https://pathways.nice.org.uk/pathways/influenza#content=view-node:nodes-treatment
• Tamiflu Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/8050/pil