Tamiflu is a means of preventing and treating influenza A and B. With the drug you can reduce the course of disease by up to 2 days to make you feel better again soon. The product is manufactured and marketed by the pharmaceutical company Roche.
Because the flu is caused by a virus, you can not use penicillin or other antibacterial medicines to fight the disease. Most people therefore need patience and wait for the disease to go over by itself. But with Tamiflu, you can shorten your course of illness so you can recover faster.
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How does Tamiflu work?
The medicine is an antiviral treatment containing the active substance Oseltamivir. The drug inhibits the spread of the influenza virus by preventing the virus from entering new cells into the respiratory tract. In addition, the treatment stops the development of new viruses.
To spread, the virus needs an enzyme called neuraminidase. This enzyme helps the virus into the body, but the active substance oseltamivir binds to the enzyme, thus preventing further viruses in the body.
The treatment does not kill the existing virus, but by inhibiting the development of the virus, the body gets the job of stopping the virus attack. The virus, therefore, remains local and it is much easier for the body’s immune system to control the virus infection.
This will cause you to get better 1-2 days earlier than without treatment. In order to achieve the best effect of treatment, it is important to take it as quickly as possible during the course of the disease.
The treatment can also be used as a preventive treatment in special cases. This applies to epidemics or pandemics, where there are large sections of the population affected by the infection. It can also be used as a preventive treatment for people at particular risk of developing complications in relation to viral infection.
How to use the treatment
The medicine comes as a tablet form and can be taken at different times during the course of the disease or on suspected infection.
When flu has already occurred and you already have symptoms
In this case, the dose is:
- Adults and children over 40 kg: 75 mg twice daily for 5 days. For smaller children, other doses apply. Always follow the instructions of the physician or package leaflet.
Treatment should be started within 48 hours after the first symptoms have started. After this, treatment is less effective, as the virus has already spread to other parts of the respiratory tract. - Preventative treatment when you have been exposed to infection, but do not experience any symptoms yet
In this case, the dose is:
Adults and children over 40 kg: 75 mg once daily for 10 daysChildren weighing less than 40 kg should have a lower dose. Read the package leaflet or ask your healthcare professional for precise instructions. - Preventive treatment when you have not been exposed to infection yet
Dosage for adults and children over 40 kg: 75 mg. Once a day for 6 weeks.
In all cases, the dose should be reduced if you have poor functioning kidneys.
Always follow the doctor’s instructions as to how much you need and how long.
Side effects
When using medicines, there will always be a risk of side effects. However, it is far from anyone who will experience side effects when taking preventive or flu treatment. It is always a good idea to get into the possible side effects that may arise from the medicine. That way, you know what you need to be aware of.
The most common are: nausea, vomiting and headaches. More than 10% will experience these symptoms.
Less than 10% experience any of the following side effects: fever, pain, tiredness, stomach problems, coughing, hoarse fever, sinusitis, dizziness and insomnia. Cold sores, respiratory infections, ear problems and eye inflammation may also occur. It is important to consult your doctor if you experience any unwanted side effects of the medicine.
In rare cases, undesirable side effects such as cardiac arrhythmias, allergic reactions and cramps may occur. However, this happens very rarely. If you experience any serious side effects or feel bad after taking the medicine, contact a doctor immediately.
Who is suitable for the treatment?
Most people can use the treatment to prevent or treat the flu. If you have kidney problems, it is not a recommended treatment. In addition, pregnant women and breastfeeding women should only use the treatment under special circumstances, for example if there is a pandemic with influenza A.
The treatment is often used for people who are particularly sensitive to flu or who are at greater risk of developing complications if they are infected with the virus. However, it is used by most to shorten the course of illness.
Tamiflu or influenza vaccination?
Tamiflu treatment cannot replace a flu vaccine. When you receive a vaccination, it will protect you from the fact that the disease occurs at all. Tamiflu can only make the disease progressively shorter or prevent the disease to a certain level in special cases. It is not recommended to take medication unnecessarily, and therefore Tamiflu should only be used in special cases as a preventive treatment.
If you have a weak immune system or if there is a reason to suspect that an influenza virus may develop into serious complications, then a flu vaccine is better protected than Tamiflu.
Is Tamiflu available on prescription?
Yes, when you want to use Tamiflu as a treatment or prevention of flu, you must get a prescription from a doctor. Since side effects may occur and not all are suitable for treatment, it is important that a doctor is considering whether you are suitable for treatment. The benefit for you to use the drug should be greater than the risk of side effects. It will a doctor consider. Once you have received a prescription, you can pick up the medicine at the pharmacy.
In some cities it may be difficult to get an appointment with the doctor immediately or within a short period of time. Therefore, it may be difficult to get the medicine within 48 hours after the symptoms start. Since the effect is limited after 48 hours after the first symptoms have started, it is not necessary to take the medicine as a therapeutic drug. In these cases you must wait for the disease to go away by itself.
Can you buy Tamiflu online?
Yes, you can do that. Tamiflu can be purchased from authorized online clinics. Here, a doctor will evaluate your health and evaluate whether or not you are suitable for treatment. If your doctor considers Tamiflu to be the correct treatment for you, write a prescription in your name. This will be sent to a registered pharmacy, which sends the treatment directly to you by email within a short period of time.
Buying online can be faster compared to having an appointment with a doctor where there may be waiting time. In addition, you may be able to infect others if you come to the doctor and are infected with flu.
The benefits of buying Tamiflu online are:
- You do not have to leave your home so you can go to bed
- You do not have to wait for the doctor’s appointment and can start treatment quickly
