Tamiflu Oseltamivir phosphate Review

Overall 4.60 of 5 view all 5 reviews

bkovacs
Annandale, VA

I will definitely get this again if I catch the flu

not interested in being sick, willing to try this again, grateful this exists

Pros

Easy to swallow capsules, It works, Flu went away in two days

Cons

Expensive... but worth it

MAR

2008

A couple weeks ago, I was at work when the telltale signs of the flu began. I suddenly started getting chills and was achy all over. Actually, the aches started the evening before but they were getting worse, fast. I told my boss I was going home and she suggested I go straight to the doctor to get Tamiflu. As it turns out, my employer has a medical clinic in the complex where I work, so I went there. The clinic's staff confirmed that I had the flu (fever, chills and aches), so I was prescribed Tamiflu. The pharmacy next to the medical clinic filled the prescription on the spot and away I went.

What it is

Tamiflu is an anti-viral drug patented by Roche Pharmaceuticals. Its chemical name is oseltamivir phosphate. Since it is only available as a brand-name drug, I had to pay the highest rate for it: $45 for 10 capsules. Normally I can get prescriptions for $10 but not Tamiflu. However, trust me on this... it was a bargain.

Tamiflu works by preventing the flu virus from breaking out of cells that it has infected. In this way, Tamiflu will stop the flu in its tracks and prevent it from getting worse. However, for Tamiflu to work, you have to begin taking it within two days of the onset of symptoms. In my case, I started within one day.

Tamiflu comes in a capsule containing 75 mg of the drug. These capsules are not big -- they are somewhat smaller than Tylenol capsules, for example.

The treatment

The treatment with Tamiflu was simple enough: I took two smallish capsules per day for five days. After two days, I had no more symptoms of the flu -- no more chills, aches or fever. I continued taking Tamiflu until it was used up and no flu has come back.

The biggest problem with Tamiflu was that the capsules were hard to get out of their packaging. The 10 capsules were each individually packaged in little blister packs that peeled open, and it was tough peeling the foil off. Once opened, the small (75 mg) capsule was easy to swallow. I had no side effects when I took Tamiflu.

Summary

At $45, Tamiflu is a lot more expensive than over-the-counter cold and flu remedies. However, it works MUCH better than the over-the-counter stuff, completely banishing my flu and preventing it from ever getting really uncomfortable. It's been two weeks since I completed my treatment with Tamiflu and there has been no recurrence of flu symptoms.

I highly recommend Tamiflu and will take it again if I feel the flu coming on. This is one treatment that works.

Tamiflu Oseltamivir phosphate is recommended by bkovacs

Review inappropriate? Copyright violation?

add bkovacs to my friends list add to my favorites subscribe to feed

Comments about bkovacs’s Review

In response to AnnaBanana's comment from Apr 25, 2009 at 6:02PM:

I don't know if you can get Tamiflu ahead of time or not... that's probably up to the doctor prescribing it.

I now have a cold and hope it doesn't turn out to be the flu. I was at a big convention in Las Vegas last week and hate to think I brought the flu back!

--Bob

In response to AnnaBanana's comment from Apr 25, 2009 at 6:00PM:

Yeah, I really didn't want the misery that comes with the flu. That was worth $45 to me.

Thanks for stopping by!

--Bob

In response to TunefulGal's comment from Apr 25, 2009 at 5:09PM:

I agree. However, be sure to check with the doctor to make sure that Tamiflu is effective against the swine flu. It may be effective but I simply don't know.

Thanks for stopping by!

--Bob

In response to TunefulGal's comment from Apr 25, 2009 at 5:09PM:

Excellent point, Cuz, but I am wondering -- is it really possible to buy this Tamiflu ahead of time, to have on hand just in case ... ? I'll be seeing Dr. Forbes on May 1st, maybe I'll ask her.

That was a good investment on your part. The flu is nothing to be messed around with. A few years ago here in Chicago, a young man was stricken with the flu at work in the Loop, tried to get home, blacked out on the El platform, fell down on the tracks, hit the Third Rail and was electrocuted. Even when things like that DON'T happen, the flu can be a killer. Good for Tamiflu!

Everyone should be reading your review! The new Swine Flu virus is worth a call to the doctor and a Tamiflu prescription on hand. Good review!

In response to Katrena's comment from Feb 25, 2009 at 9:07PM:

Thanks for stopping by, Katrena! The flu is no fun...

--Bob

I'm glad this worked for you. It certainly worked for my 7-year-old. I only wish I had pushed a little harder to get it for my 3-year-old last year. She suffered terribly with the flu since she has asthma. Her mother didn't fare much better. Great info on your review!

In response to ProbstLite's comment from Apr 28, 2008 at 2:07PM:

"Very expensive" is relative. I'm convinced that it avoided full-blown flu for me and that was definitely worth $45. I'd do the same thing again in a heartbeat. On the other hand, if $45 means that you won't be eating well that week, maybe you should take your chances on the flu. Considering flu can be fatal, any reasonable steps to aviod or significantly reduce the impact could save a LOT of money. Yeah, Tamiflu is expensive but I don't regret the expense one little bit.

Thanks for the comment!

--Bob

Tamiflu is very expensive and only works for one or two strains of influenza. Unless it is caught early enough, unlikely, it may or may not decrease you're illness by at most 2 days. I do not recommend paying an arm and a leg for Tamiflu.

Caleb did great with this too.

In response to bkovacs's comment from Mar 11, 2008 at 7:16AM:

rut roh! Now I am worried, I sure hope I don't get it. Glad you're feeling better and if I do start too come down at least I know what to get.

In response to kid-kansas's comment from Mar 11, 2008 at 1:01AM:

I get a flu shot every year but the medical clinic staff here said that this year's flu shots weren't very effective. Anyway, all's well that ends well. Thanks for the comment!

--Bob

In response to PattyTherre's comment from Mar 10, 2008 at 11:51PM:

Patty, you should seriously think about seeing a doctor and getting a prescription to this. It's still early for you, so there's time. I went from having tell-tale signs of the flu to no signs at all, and I was never really more than a little inconvenienced. Tamiflu was worth every dime. Thanks for stopping by!

--Bob

Wow I am ever thankful I get a flu shot every year! SO far ...knock on wood I haven't gotten it for 3 years now. I wish everyone luck in nipping it before it gets real bad! ;) Ron

My husband has had the flu for almost 2 weeks now. He went to the doctor but they said he had to wait it out. Now my son is sick with the same exact symptoms. It's probably too late for him to get this. I, too, feel it coming on. It's only day one of me feeling like I am going to collapse face down and never get up so maybe I can get this and not suffer! I will call my doctor's office and see. I have never heard of it.

In response to AmyA's comment from Mar 10, 2008 at 10:14AM:

Tamiflu is by prescription only, so it means a trip to a doctor or physician's assistant. You have to catch it within the first two days, so I hope there's time to nip yours in the bud. Thanks for stopping by!

--Bob