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Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) Takes the Bite out of the Wintry Flu

Updated on January 12th, 2020

Save up to 88% on your medications

If you’re bed-bound with the misery of the flu, you’re counting the hours until the sinus-clogging, chest-wracking virus has run its course. The good news is that using Tamiflu can shave precious days off the course of the flu, making it a valuable drug.

If you’re proactive and take Tamiflu within 48 hours of the early symptoms (aching muscles, fever, headache) you can recover a day earlier from a typical seven-to-10-day flu. Even better, a recent study showed that if you’re 65 and older with a more severe bout of the flu, you could get better two to three days sooner.

You’ll also be more comfortable while you’re in bed clutching the tissue box. Tamiflu lessens the severity of flu symptoms. That means you not only get better sooner, but you feel better during the ordeal.

Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) a Key Tool for Doctors

Tamiflu (generic name oseltamivir) is an antiviral drug that battles the flu virus in your body. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) estimates that between 38,000,000 and 54,000,000 Americans had the flu in the 2019-2020 season. That's an estimate based on factors like medical visits and hospitalizations. It's no surprise that Tamiflu is a frequent go-to drug in any doctor’s medicine bag.

Who Should Take Tamiflu (Oseltamivir)

Many people don’t mind staying in bed with the flu one extra day, drinking liquids and streaming movies. But if you have certain health conditions, you risk serious complications from the flu. These could be secondary bacterial infections or pneumonia. People who would benefit from Tamiflu include those with these conditions:

  • Respiratory disease such as asthma
  • Heart or chronic kidney disease
  • Diabetes
  • Liver, blood or neurological conditions

Of course, even those with milder cases may be eager to get back to work, so it's worth it to take Tamiflu.

Tamiflu’s Price Tag Too Hefty for Some

Although Tamiflu is a helpful antiviral, here are some reasons people don’t take it:

  • It can be expensive. The average cost of the generic is around $101. It can cost up to $175 for the brand name. There are stories of people getting very sick because they can’t afford Tamiflu. That’s one reason RxLess exists: We can help you find discounts and coupons to make Tamiflu more affordable.
  • You need a doctor’s prescription, and people don’t always see a doctor for the flu.
  • You’re not sure you have the flu until after the 48-hour effectiveness deadline of Tamiflu has passed.

Is it a Cold or Flu Diagnosis?

You may be hesitating to go to the doctor for Tamiflu because you think you might just have an all-too-common cold. Here’s a quick look at the difference between cold and flu symptoms:

  • a cold comes on gradually, while the flu strikes quickly
  • fever is rare with a cold and common with the flu
  • you’re not usually achy with a cold like you are with the flu
  • a headache is rare with a cold but common with the flu
  • cough and chest discomfort might be worse with the flu

Tamiflu is an important treatment that can take the harsh bite out of a wintry flu season. We’re happy at RxLess to help you find ways to afford it whenever influenza strikes.

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