Tamiflu is a prescription drug for individuals who have the flu. Tamiflu is covered by 68% of insurance plans and has a copay of $60- $75 with insurance. Without insurance, Tamiflu could cost up to $250 or $135 for the generic version. Tamiflu is available at various pharmacies at different price ranges.
Tamiflu is a brand name for oseltamivir. In short, oseltamivir is a kind of antiviral medication that can be used to combat the influenza viruses responsible for the flu by inhibiting an enzyme that said viruses need to spread throughout the human body.
Due to this, oseltamivir has a couple of common uses. One would be helping people recover from the flu, which can be particularly important for people who either have complications from the flu or are expecting complications from the flu.
The other would be preventing people from getting the flu, which is particularly important if they are coming into regular contact with people who have the flu.
With that said, there is some controversy over whether people should be using oseltamivir for flu prevention or not, both because there are some studies suggesting uncertain effectiveness and because the medical authorities are concerned about the overuse of the antiviral medication encouraging the development of resistant strains of the relevant viruses.
Tamiflu
OseltamivirTamiflu (Oseltamivir) is a moderately priced antiviral medicine. It is used to prevent and treat some kinds of influenza, or the flu. This drug is more popular than comparable drugs. It is available in generic and brand versions.
The most common version of Tamiflu is covered by 68% of insurance plans at a co-pay of $60.00-$75.00, however, some pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower. The lowest GoodRx price for the most common version of generic Tamiflu is around $20.87, 78% off the average retail price of $98.05.
According to the FDA, Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) is an antiviral drug prescribed for individuals who have the influenza virus. Tamiflu is used to treat people two weeks of age or older who have the flu (influenza A and B viruses).
Tamiflu is also sometimes used for the prevention (prophylaxis) of the flu in people one year of age and older, but it is not a substitute for getting the flu vaccine.
Tamiflu works by attacking the flu virus to prevent it from multiplying in your body and reducing the flu symptoms. It can treat flu symptoms caused by the flu virus in patients who have had symptoms for less than two days.
The Cost of Tamiflu
The cost of Tamiflu will depend on the dosage your healthcare provider prescribes and whether or not you have insurance. Without insurance, Tamiflu could cost up to $250 and $135 for the generic version. Tamiflu is covered by 68% of insurance plans. With insurance, Tamiflu has a copay of about $60- $75.
Estimating the cost of oseltamivir can be rather complicated. This is because there are a number of factors that can influence its price.
For example, branded oseltamivir is more expensive than non-branded oseltamivir, meaning that interested individuals who want Tamiflu and nothing but Tamiflu should expect to pay more. Likewise, oseltamivir is available as capsules as well as suspended in a liquid, with the liquid being the more expensive of the two forms.
Generally speaking, a non-branded version of oseltamivir should be available for around $135 for a total of ten doses. In contrast, Tamiflu should be available at around $175, which is a significant increase in price but not a payoff.
As stated earlier, the liquid form of oseltamivir is more expensive, so much so that interested individuals should expect to pay around $250 and $350 for the non-branded and branded products.
With that said, interested individuals should remember to consider their health insurance as well. Generally speaking, Tamiflu is treated as a Tier 2 drug, which tends to include brand-name medications.
Unfortunately, while some health insurance plans will cover the cost of Tamiflu and other forms of oseltamivir, others will cover no more than a portion of the costs.
Due to this, it is one more reason that interested individuals should have at least a general idea of what their health insurance plans will and will not cover as well as how much their health insurance plans will cover because it will be much too late for them to pay attention to the terms of their coverage if they wait until they need it.
How Much Does Tamiflu Cost With Insurance?
As with a copay for any prescription medication, the cost of Tamiflu with insurance is based on your particular healthcare plan and its drug formulary. Your deductible, insurance provider, and pharmacy are also contributing factors in the cost of medications.
If your out-of-pocket costs are too high, consider signing up for a SingleCare savings card. It’s free, easy to use, and accepted at many major pharmacies.
The Cost of Tamiflu Without Insurance
Uninsured customers pay an average of $194.51 for 1, 10 Capsules Capsule of Tamiflu without insurance. Tamiflu prices can vary greatly depending on the quantity, dosage, and pharmacy location.
Use our prescription discount card at drugstores near you and pay $16.00 for 10, 75MG Capsule of generic Tamiflu. Use your card on all of your prescription medications to get a discount of up to 80% off.
Below is a breakdown of how much Tamiflu costs based on dosage and quantity.
| Dosage | Quantity | Price without insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 10 capsules of 30mg | 1 dose pack | $35 |
| 10 capsules of 45mg | 1 dose pack | $37 |
| 10 capsules of 75mg | 1 dose pack | $30 |
| 60ml of 6mg/m | 1 bottle | $40 |
Who should not take Tamiflu?
If you are allergic to the main ingredient, oseltamivir phosphate, or inactive ingredients, you should not take Tamiflu. It’s essential to know each type of Tamiflu capsule (as well as 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 actual 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 medicine while you are pregnant may be an unacceptable price.
- If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
What are the side effects of Tamiflu?
Common side effects of Tamiflu include but are not limited to nausea, vomiting, and headache. Allergic reactions and mood changes are rare but serious side effects of Tamiflu.
Mental changes are more likely to happen in children who take Tamiflu, so parents should call their child’s pediatrician right away if they notice their child is acting confused and agitated or inflicting self-harm.
Common side effects of Tamiflu include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Nosebleeds
- Eye redness or discomfort
- Sleep problems (insomnia)
- Cough or other respiratory problems.
- The flu itself or Tamiflu may rarely cause serious mental or mood changes. This may be more common in children. Tell your doctor about any signs of unusual behavior, including confusion, agitation, or self-injury.
Tamiflu FAQs
What is Tamiflu?
Oseltamivir is the active ingredient in Tamiflu. It’s an antiviral medication that stops the flu virus (influenza) from multiplying. It can help shorten the duration of common flu symptoms, like congestion, fever, and fatigue.
Tamiflu is often prescribed to patients with compromised immune systems due to medical conditions like diabetes, respiratory disorders, heart problems, or kidney disease. That’s because people with weakened immune systems are susceptible to complications from the flu.
Although Tamiflu can help prevent the flu, it is not a replacement for the flu shot. Doctors still recommend getting the flu vaccine.
Does Medicare cover Tamiflu and how much does it cost?
Medicare-eligible patients may be able to get coverage on their Tamiflu prescription. Many plans, including Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage, cover the brand or generic version of Tamiflu.
SingleCare has coupons for Tamiflu and its generic, so cash-paying customers can get a discount on either version. Our free and reusable coupons are accepted at participating pharmacies, like CVS Pharmacy, Walmart Pharmacy, and Kroger Pharmacy.
How to save on Tamiflu
There aren’t any Tamiflu manufacturer coupons or Tamiflu patient assistance programs available at this time. Therefore, the easiest way to save on Tamiflu is by using a free discount coupon from SingleCare.
Our lowest price for Tamiflu is currently $16.00 for 10, 75MG Capsule of generic Tamiflu, but it could be even lower depending on the dosage and quantity you need. Visit singlecare.com or download our mobile app to learn more about our discount program.
Is there a generic of Tamiflu?
Oseltamivir phosphate is the generic version of Tamiflu. Both are FDA-approved prescription drugs used to prevent and treat the flu virus. Search for either version on our website or app to find free coupons before you overpay for another prescription.
What doses of Tamiflu are available?
Tamiflu is available as a capsule or liquid medication that’s taken orally. Taking Tamiflu with food may prevent an upset stomach. Tamiflu is usually taken twice a day for five days to treat flu symptoms or once a day for 10 days to prevent the flu.
However, your healthcare provider will determine the best dose for your condition. Follow his or her medical advice when taking Tamiflu yourself or administering it to a child.
In 2012, the FDA approved the use of Tamiflu as a treatment for flu symptoms in infants as young as two weeks of age. It is also approved for use as a preventative measure for the flu in children over the age of one.
How long does it take Tamiflu to start working?
Tamiflu can reduce the duration of flu symptoms by one to two days. The flu usually lasts seven to 10 days with lingering symptoms that could last up to two weeks or longer. Tamiflu is most effective if taken within 48 hours of when symptoms begin.
How long are you contagious when you have the flu?
You’re contagious one day before developing flu symptoms and up to seven days after contracting the virus. The flu usually lasts between seven and 10 days, but Tamiflu can reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.
What happens if you stop taking Tamiflu?
As with all prescription medications, you should take Tamiflu for the prescribed amount of time. If you stop taking Tamiflu earlier than instructed by your doctor, your flu symptoms may come back. Tamiflu is usually taken twice a day for five days or once a day for 10 days.
Should You Get Tamiflu?
On a final note, interested individuals should give some serious thought to whether they need Tamiflu or some other form of oseltamivir. As stated earlier, there is some uncertainty over whether oseltamivir is actually useful for preventing the flu or not, meaning that taking oseltamivir might not provide interested individuals with good value for money.
Furthermore, the over-use of oseltamivir and other medications is contributing much to the development of resistant strains, which is a huge health crisis with what could be horrific consequences for humans as a whole in the long run.
As a result, public-minded people might want to give some serious thought to whether they need to take oseltamivir or not if they don’t actually have a need for it.
On a related note, it should be mentioned that there are also people who shouldn’t be taking oseltamivir for other reasons. Generally speaking, interested individuals shouldn’t be taking oseltamivir if they are allergic to either the antiviral medication or one of the other ingredients.
Furthermore, children who are less than one year old shouldn’t be taking it either. In some cases, there are people who will experience serious side effects when they take oseltamivir, with examples ranging from pains to the sensation of nausea.
When that happens, said individuals should see their doctors as soon as possible to get assistance because they don’t know if the side effect could be a sign of something even worse. This is particularly true if someone is unlucky enough to experience a side effect such as seizures, confusion, and yellowing of the skin that could indicate liver impairment, which should always be a cause for affected individuals to see their doctors immediately.
Most people will not experience these side effects, but they are nonetheless a possibility, which is why interested individuals should be prepared in the event of their occurrence.
How can I get Tamiflu?
Tamiflu is a prescription drug and is not available over the counter. However, there’s a possibility it will be available over the counter in the future. As of now, you must be prescribed Tamiflu by your doctor if you have been showing flu symptoms for less than two days.
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