Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and influenza (flu)

Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is a licensed prescription only medicine for the treatment and prevention of influenza (flu).

If you have a prescription for Tamiflu please CLICK HERE for information on Pharmacy2U's private prescription dispensing services.

If you do not already have a prescription for Tamiflu then please visit Pharmacy2U's recommended provider of online consultations for Tamiflu click here:

All prescriptions issued here will be dispensed at Pharmacy2U.

When can Tamiflu (oseltamivir) be useful to treat or prevent flu?

Tamiflu can be used to treat the symptoms of flu in people who are showing the typical symptoms of flu and the flu virus is known to be going around in the local community. Tamiflu works if it is taken within 2 days of the start of any symptoms. It reduces the severity of symptoms and shortens the length of time you feel unwell.

Tamiflu can also be used to prevent someone from becoming infected with flu if they have been in contact with someone who has flu, and flu is known to be going around in the local community.

What is influenza (flu)?

Influenza is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. The virus is passed between people through coughs and sneezes or by touching of hands or by kissing or other forms of direct contact. Influenza infects the upper and lower respiratory tract (the lungs, throat and nose). The signs of influenza are as follows:

A high temperature (> 37.8 °C) that starts suddenly.

Cough, blocked or runny nose.

Headaches and muscle aches.

Feeling very tired.

These symptoms may also be caused by infections that are not the flu. True flu can only be caught during known outbreaks (epidemics) when the virus is known to be going around in the locality. If there is no evidence that flu is doing the rounds, another virus is likely to be the cause of the symptoms

How do I know if it's flu, or just a cold?

Proper influenza can be very dangerous to people with asthma or similar lung problems, the elderly or the young. It's important to know the difference between proper flu and a heavy cold or "man-flu" as many people call it.

Once you have had proper flu, you will never again confuse it with a cold. Perhaps the most important thing in deciding if you could have flu is to find out if flu is going around. If you suddenly start to feel unwell, call your doctors and ask. They will have been inundated with problems if flu is in your area. Other clear indications of flu are:

flu starts very suddenly whilst a cold will come on gradually.

A cough is normally the first symptom of flu, with no stuffiness, and. A cold usually starts with a blocked or runny nose or sore throat.

Influenza makes you feel unwell in you whole body, whilst a cold will only affect the nose, throat, sinuses and upper chest.

If you have Flu, you will feel dreadful, and you will have to go to bed. With a cold, you may feel unwell, but you can still carry on.

flu will normally last a week and leave you feeling tired for a further 10-14 days. A cold is normally over in 7 days.

How does Tamiflu (oseltamivir) work?

Tamiflu (oseltamivir) inhibits influenza virus neuraminidase enzymes. Viral neuraminidase enzyme activity is important to allow the virus to enter uninfected cells and for the release of recently formed virus particles from infected cells. By inhibiting these enzymes in the influenza virus, Tamiflu stop the virus from reproducing and spreading in the body. This shortens and reduces the severity of the symptoms of flu if taken within 2 days of the start of symptoms. Tamiflu can also prevent infection at all if taken when flu is in your area.

The normal dose to treat an influenza infection in adults is one 75mg capsule of Tamiflu, twice a day for 5 days. Treatment must start within the first 2 days of symptoms. Lower doses are recommended for children (must be over 1 year) under 40kg in weight.

The normal dose to prevent influenza infection in adults is one 75mg capsule of Tamiflu each day for 10 days, starting as soon as possible within 2 days after exposure to the virus. Lower doses are recommended for children (must be over 1 year) under 40kg in weight.

Does Tamiflu (oseltamivir) always work?

Tamiflu has been shown to be effective against Influenza types A and B in reducing the severity and duration of symptoms in infected people.

In preventing flu, Tamiflu does not offer 100% protection but it dramatically reduces the chance of getting influenza. The protection given by Tamiflu is even effective if the individual has been vaccinated against flu, so Tamiflu can be usefully used even if you have been vaccinated. The use of Tamiflu should not be a substitution for vaccination, which is still a very important defense in at risk groups.

Tamiflu (oseltamivir) side effects

Like all medicines, Tamiflu (oseltamivir) can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting and stomach ache. These side effects mostly occur only after the first dose of the medicine and will usually stop if treatment continues and they can be reduced by taking the medicine with food. Less common side effects can also occur. Convulsions, black outs, abnormal behavior, hallucinations and delirium have also been reported leading in rare cases to accidental injury. Patients, especially children, should be watched carefully and their doctor should be contacted immediately if the patient shows any unusual behavior.

Is Tamiflu (oseltamivir) for everyone?

Tamiflu should only be taken if prescribed for you by a registered doctor. Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. If you have kidney problems a lower dose may be needed.

How do I get Tamiflu (oseltamivir)?

You need a prescription from your doctor to legally obtain Tamiflu (oseltamivir). Companies offering Tamiflu without a valid prescription are breaking the law, and you may be putting your health at risk. It is possible to obtain a prescription for Tamiflu (oseltamivir) by undertaking an online consultation with a registered UK doctor, but do not be tempted to buy Tamiflu on the internet without such a consultation. Buying prescription only medicines on the internet without consulting a doctor is a very risky business. In many cases you will not receive a genuine supply. Even though the packaging may look the same, counterfeit medicines which will not work or can be very dangerous are not unusual.

In all cases Tamiflu should only be taken on a doctor's advice because it can be dangerous for certain people or when taken with other medicines. That is why a UK registered doctor and a UK registered pharmacy should ensure the safe use and supply of your medicines. This can be achieved through an online consultation with a reputable provider.

Click here to visit Pharmacy2Us recommended provider of online consultations for erection problems. All prescriptions issued here will be dispensed at Pharmacy2U.

Highly convenient supply of Tamiflu (oseltamivir)

If you have a prescription for Tamiflu, Pharmacy2U will dispense it and send the medicines to your chosen delivery address - what could be easier?

Please click here for further details of how to use this service.

Ensure that you do not pay too much

If you have a private prescription for Tamiflu that means you have to pay for the full cost of the medicine and also any dispensing fee the pharmacist chooses to charge. Big differences can exist depending on where you take your prescription to be dispensed. This means that it is important for you to find the best price available to you.

Highly competitive prices are available at Pharmacy2U Ltd. Click here for details.