The Cost of Tamiflu Without Insurance

Since millions of Americans fall sick from influenza each flu season, it’s good to know that medication such as Tamiflu is available. In 2016, the FDA approved a Tamiflu generic (oseltamivir phosphate), which is used to treat influenza A and B. Here’s what you need to know about how to save money on Tamiflu this flu season.

What is Tamiflu?

Tamiflu is an antiviral medication, which treats the flu, by preventing the virus from multiplying. This reduces the length of time that you may be sick with the flu, and lessens the severity of flu symptoms. Tamiflu may also be taken to prevent you from getting the flu, if you’ve been exposed to someone, or live with someone who has the flu.

Tamiflu can be given as a treatment to everyone who is at least two weeks old. As a preventative medication, Tamiflu can be used by everyone who is at least one year old. However, Tamiflu must be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. If you’ve been suffering symptoms longer than two days, Tamiflu is not indicated as treatment.

It is important to note that Tamiflu should not be used in place of a flu vaccine. The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of six months receive a flu vaccine by the end of October.

What is the cost of Tamiflu without insurance?

The cost of generic Tamiflu, oseltamivir phosphate, without insurance starts at $25.15* for 30mg and 5 capsules using an RxSaver coupon.

If you don’t have health insurance, and you’ve been prescribed Tamiflu, ask your health care provider to prescribe the generic, oseltamivir phosphate. RxSaver offers coupons that can reduce the price of your medication to less than $30. The RxSaver coupon can also be used in place of your insurance, and it may reduce the cost of your prescription to less than your copay.

Can you buy Tamiflu over the counter?

You need a prescription from a health care provider for Tamiflu, which means that you cannot buy it over the counter. You’ll have to buy Tamiflu at the pharmacy.

What conditions does Tamiflu treat?

Tamiflu is an antiviral medication used for the prevention and treatment of the flu only. Tamiflu will not treat bacterial infections, such as certain types of bronchitis and sinusitis. Tamiflu will also not treat the common cold.

Tamiflu is frequently prescribed for those who have underlying health conditions, which makes them more vulnerable to complications from the flu. Those who have asthma, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, liver conditions, blood conditions, neurological conditions, heart disease, or chronic kidney disease are particularly vulnerable to developing severe illness from the flu.

How does Tamiflu work?

Tamiflu disrupts the proteins that the flu virus requires to reproduce. This gives your body’s immune system a chance to fight back, and destroy it. In the process, Tamiflu helps to shorten the length of time you are sick and reduce the severity of flu symptoms such as:

Fatigue
Body aches
Headache
Fever
Cough
Sore Throat
Weakness
Stuffy nose

Tamiflu is available in pill or liquid form. As a treatment for the flu, Tamiflu is generally taken twice a day for five days, beginning during the first 48 hours of developing symptoms. As a preventative treatment (prophylaxis), Tamiflu is generally taken once a day for ten days.

What to Do if You Think You Have the Flu

If you are exhibiting mild symptoms of the flu, contact your health care provider immediately, but do not go to the ER. You may spread the flu virus to others in an emergency room, or urgent care, so be sure to call your health care provider ahead of time, if you think you have the flu. This is especially crucial this year, as hospitals are already burdened by the coronavirus pandemic.

During your call or telemedicine appointment, your health care provider may determine that you need to be tested for COVID-19. If so, you will be routed to a testing station near you. If your doctor diagnoses you with the flu, you may be prescribed medication such as Tamiflu. In the meantime, increase your handwashing, stay home from work, and cancel all social plans to prevent spreading the flu to others.

Always Check RxSaver Before Filling a Prescription

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with the flu, or with another common cold-weather illness such as a sinus infection, or bronchitis, be sure to check RxSaver before filling a prescription. RxSaver offers coupons on thousands of medications, ranging from antibiotics to antivirals, and everything in between.

RxSaver is designed to be used if you don’t have insurance, or in place of your insurance when the RxSaver coupon price is less than your copay.

Oseltamivir Phosphate: 30 mg / 5 capsules

*Lowest online price at national pharmacy chains Costco, CVS, RiteAid, Walgreens and Walmart as of 4/20/2021. Prices vary by location and pharmacy, see RxSaver.com for actual pricing in your area.