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What is Tamiflu used for?

Tamiflu is for treating adults with the flu whose flu symptoms started within the last day or two. Tamiflu is also used to reduce the chance of getting the flu in people age 13 and older who have a higher chance of getting the flu because they spend time with someone who has the flu. Tamiflu can also reduce the chance of getting the flu if there is a flu outbreak in the community.

Tamiflu’s safety and effectiveness have not been determined in people with chronic heart or lung disease, kidney failure, or in people with high-risk underlying medical conditions.

General Precautions with Tamiflu: 

• Tamiflu has not been shown to treat flu-like illnesses caused by any virus other than influenza A and B (e.g., stomach flu, common cold, or other respiratory illnesses not caused by influenza).
• Other kinds of infections can appear like influenza or occur along with influenza, and need different types of treatment. Contact your health care provider if you feel worse or develop new symptoms during or after treatment, or if your influenza symptoms do not start to get better.
• Taking Tamiflu should not affect your decision to have an annual influenza vaccination.
• The safety and efficacy of repeated courses of treatment have not been established.

What should I tell my doctor or health care provider?

Tell your doctor or health care provider if you:

• are taking any other medications
• have any type of kidney disease
• are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of Tamiflu? (This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Tamiflu. Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)  

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Bronchitis
• Stomach pain
• Dizziness
• Headache

For more detailed information about Tamiflu, ask your health care provider.

Reproduced from FDA.

Pediatrics Guide Note: A suspension form of Tamiflu is also available, which is also approved to treat the flu in infants and children over age 12 months old.