Tamiflu is the brand name of the medicine that doctors prescribe when they treat patients with flu (influenza). Patients with the flu must be at least 2 weeks old and they should have had the symptoms of flue for just a day or two. Tamiflu is also often prescribed for patients who are at least a year old. Several governments, such as the UK government, have stockpiled Tamiflu in order to protect their citizens from the potential threat of a flu pandemic.
Who should NOT take Tamiflu?
You should avoid taking Tamifluif you are allergic to its main active ingredient oseltamivir phosphate. You should also refrain from taking Tamiflu if you are allergic to the inactive ingredients. Each type of Tamiflu capsule (plus the Tamiflu version for oral suspension) has different inactive ingredients. In addition, you should inform your doctor if you have the following conditions before you take Tamiflu so that the true Tamiflu cost does not include complications:
- If you have trouble swallowing capsules.
- If you have a kidney condition.
- If you are fructose intolerant. This medication contains sorbitol, which may cause diarrhea and stomach upset in fructose-intolerant patients.
- If you are pregnant (or plan on becoming pregnant). It is not yet definitely known whether taking Tamiflu can harm unborn babies. Taking the medicine while you are pregnant may be an unacceptable Tamiflu price.
- If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
The Cost of Tamiflu
The Tamiflu website doesn’t mention a suggested retail price, which makes determining the true Tamiflu price somewhat difficult to ascertain. If you will pay the full price for a single 75mg capsule, the cost may well reach $10. But buying 10 all at once may cost you only a little more than $70 (translating to a little over $7 per capsule) and a 30-capsule purchase may cost less than $175 (less than $5.84 per capsule).
Dosage | Quantity | Price Without Insurance |
CVS Pharmacy |
| 10 capsules of 30mg | 1 dose pack | $109.00 |
| 10 capsules of 45mg | 1 dose pack | $109.00 |
| 10 capsules of 75mg | 1 dose pack | $122.00 |
| 60ml of 6mg/ml | 1 Bottle | $122.00 |
Kmart |
| 10 capsules of 30mg | 1 dose pack | $114.59 |
| 10 capsules of 45mg | 1 dose pack | $115.09 |
| 10 capsules of 75mg | 1 dose pack | $123.00 |
| 60ml of 6mg/ml | 1 Bottle | $124.92 |
Kroger |
| 10 capsules of 30mg | 1 dose pack | $115.36 |
| 10 capsules of 45mg | 1 dose pack | $115.34 |
| 10 capsules of 75mg | 1 dose pack | $125.19 |
| 60ml of 6mg/ml | 1 Bottle | $125.19 |
Publix |
| 10 capsules of 30mg | 1 dose pack | $114.64 |
| 10 capsules of 45mg | 1 dose pack | $114.64 |
| 10 capsules of 75mg | 1 dose pack | $124.36 |
| 60ml of 6mg/ml | 1 Bottle | $124.36 |
Rite Aid |
| 10 capsules of 30mg | 1 dose pack | $116.38 |
| 10 capsules of 45mg | 1 dose pack | $116.38 |
| 10 capsules of 75mg | 1 dose pack | $126.32 |
| 60ml of 6mg/ml | 1 Bottle | $126.32 |
Target |
| 10 capsules of 30mg | 1 dose pack | $114.59 |
| 10 capsules of 45mg | 1 dose pack | $114.59 |
| 10 capsules of 75mg | 1 dose pack | $125.36 |
| 60ml of 6mg/ml | 1 Bottle | $125.36 |
Walgreens |
| 10 capsules of 30mg | 1 dose pack | $116.38 |
| 10 capsules of 45mg | 1 dose pack | $116.38 |
| 10 capsules of 75mg | 1 dose pack | $126.32 |
| 60ml of 6mg/ml | 1 Bottle | $126.32 |
Walmart |
| 10 capsules of 30mg | 1 dose pack | $112.20 |
| 10 capsules of 45mg | 1 dose pack | $112.20 |
| 10 capsules of 75mg | 1 dose pack | $117.00 |
| 60ml of 6mg/ml | 1 Bottle | $121.86 |
However, like most medications the Tamiflucost will also vary depending on where you get them. One pharmacy will charge a different price than another. You may also find significant discounts when you buy them online. This is true even though shipping is involved, as some ecommerce websites offer free shipping. Other websites may even sell them for well below regular price either as a public service or as a way to boost customer loyalty for their sites.
Interactions
According to studies, any clinically significant drug interaction is unlikely. The only possible area of concern here is that there is a chance that taking Tamiflu may interfere with a nasal-spray flu vaccine. Because of this, Tamiflu should be taken only after 2 weeks have passed after receiving the intranasal flu vaccine. You also need 48 hours after taking Tamiflu before you can receive the nasal spray vaccine. In any case, you need to inform your doctor about any medication (over-the-counter or prescribed) you are taking before or while you take Tamiflu.
Possible Side Effects
Obviously, you doctor has prescribed this medicine because by their judgment the benefits outweigh the risks of side effects. The most common—observed in more than 1% of patients in medical trials—side effects of Tamifluwhen used to treat the flu include nausea and vomiting. When used to prevent the flu, additional common side effects include stomach pain and diarrhea. While extremely rare, serious side effects are also possible. You may, for example, have a serious skin or allergic reaction. You should stop taking the medication if you experience itching, blisters, or rashes. A few patients (especially children) may also show marked changes in behavior such as confusion, seizures, or even hallucinations. It is still being debated though, whether these changes in behavior are caused by the medication or by complications brought by the flu.
How Tamiflu Works
Basically, Tamiflu works by preventing the flu from growing. In itself it is not effective against the flu virus. The oseltamivir needs to be hydrolyzed in the liver. It then blocks a viral enzyme which helps the virus infect other cells.You should take Tamiflu only as directed by your doctor. You can take it without food, although if you take it with food you reduce the chance of upsetting your stomach. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is only 2 hours or less before your next scheduled dose, you should skip that missed dose. Take your next dose at the scheduled time and do not take two doses at once. If you miss several scheduled doses, inform your doctor as soon as possible.
Alternatives for Tamiflu
The generic name for Tamiflu is oseltamivir, but it is no use asking for the generic drug since Tamiflu is the only brand for this particular medication. However, some doctors prescribe zanamivir (brand name Relenza) as an alternative to Tamiflu.
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