Roche announced that ample supplies of its prescription antiviral medication Tamiflu(R) (oseltamivir phosphate) will be widely available this flu season in pharmacies nationwide. Tamiflu is indicated for the treatment and prevention of influenza in adults and children one year and older and has been prescribed to more than 50 million influenza patients worldwide. Available in a capsule and liquid suspension form, Tamiflu is the only oral antiviral medication recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for influenza treatment and prevention during the 2007-2008 flu season.(1)

"People often confuse Tamiflu with vaccines, but it is a prescription medication taken orally, as a capsule or liquid, and is an important adjunct to vaccine in fighting flu," said Dominick Iacuzio, Ph.D, medical director at Roche.

"Unlike the influenza vaccine, which is reformulated each year to work against three specific strains of the virus, Tamiflu is designed to be active against all clinically relevant influenza virus strains. Because Tamiflu prevents the influenza virus from spreading inside the body, it has to be given within the first 48 hours of flu symptoms in order to be effective. This means that people need to call the doctor quickly for Tamiflu treatment as soon as flu symptoms arise."

Flu Treatment

Although vaccine is the first line of defense against the flu, antivirals like Tamiflu are available to treat the flu and reduce the duration of symptoms. According to the CDC, "your doctor may recommend use of an antiviral medication to help treat the flu. These are prescription medications, and a doctor should be consulted before the drugs are used. Antiviral treatment lasts for five days and must be started within two days of illness. Therefore, if you get flu-like symptoms, seek medical care early."(2)

Flu Prevention

Additionally, antiviral medications such as Tamiflu can be given prophylactically to people who have…