Flu
Medications
Related eMedTV
Health Channels

Tamiflu Uses (Cont.)

How Does Tamiflu Work?

Tamiflu works by attacking the flu virus inside the body, thus preventing it from spreading. This is different from other flu medicines, which just treat flu symptoms.
 
Tamiflu is part of a class of drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors. Neuraminidase (an enzyme found on the flu virus) allows the virus to spread. By blocking this enzyme, Tamiflu prevents the virus from spreading.
 

Are ThereTamiflu Uses for Children?

Tamiflu has been approved for the prevention and treatment of the flu in children 1 year of age and older.
 

Are There Off-Label Tamiflu Uses?

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend a drug for something other than the conditions it is licensed to treat. This is called an "off-label" use. At this time, there are no off-label uses for Tamiflu. However, Tamiflu is actively being studied to learn how effective it is at treating bird flu (avian flu).
 

Pages:

Previous 1 2

Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;