Before taking Tamiflu, tell your doctor if you have received a nasal flu vaccine within the past 2 weeks, or if you have kidney disease, heart disease, lung disease, or any other serious disease or health problem. Also tell your doctor if you have any condition causing swelling or disorder of the brain. This year’s flu outbreak is the worst it’s been in a decade, and the season’s not over. Over 12,000 people have already been hospitalized, so it’s safe to say many of us are willing to do. Tamiflu can decrease the duration of illness by 30% to 40%, and decrease flu severity by about 40% -- but only if taken in the first 36 to 48 hours of illness. And you know that will not happen. If someone in your family has the flu, your health care provider may prescribe Tamiflu to help keep you from getting it. It is most often used in this way for people who are at high risk for complications from the flu or if there is someone in the home that is unable to get a flu vaccine. Every year when flu season rolls around, you're probably tempted to spend a good hour or two consulting with Dr. Google about what drugs could help at the first signs of the flu (fever, chest pain. My family have all said that they know people my age that felt they have swine flu but taking Tami-flu makes you feel worse with the side effects and all. 50 If you have the flu: Take TAMIFLU twice a day for 5 days, once in the morning and 51 once in the evening. You should complete the entire treatment of 10 doses (capsules or 52 suspension), even if you feel better. 53 To prevent the flu: If someone in your home has the flu, take TAMIFLU once a day for If you have already been exposed to the flu, but you don't have any symptoms, you can take Tamiflu for up to 6 weeks to help prevent you from getting sick. Flu Treatment For adults and teens aged 13 years and older If you have the flu, there are several prescription medications available including: oral oseltamivir (Tamiflu), inhaled zanamivir (Relenza), or the intravenous drug peramivir (Rapivab). [1] However, studies show that these medications only help you recover one day faster from the flu. If you already have the flu, your doctor will likely recommend that you take Tamiflu every 12 hours for five days. To maintain a stable amount of medication in your bloodstream, it’s best to take it at the same time every day, with each dose spaced evenly.