Oseltamivir and Cough: What Users Say

• JJi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2014

For Influenza "Tamiflu rocks! Had horrible chills, headache, cough, body aches, and temperatures over 101. Took my first pill on the second day of the flu and was 60% better the following morning and feeling almost normal by that afternoon. No side effects that I could tell. I had a flu shot but got it anyway. Just my luck."

• flu...
• February 5, 2014

For Influenza "Tested positive for H1N1 on Monday after feeling miserable! Was unable to breathe from my nose, sore throat, back ache, terrible cough that made my ribs burn. Started the meds Tuesday, and now (Wednesday afternoon) I'm feeling tons better! Achiness is gone, breathing easier, not quite so tired. It was expensive but totally worth it in my opinion."

• ABQ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2017

For Influenza "Was able to get a prescription within 48 hours of my flu symptoms. Horrible body aches, headache, sore throat, cough, fever, and chills. The stuff has really worked! My symptoms were reduced considerably, including my fever after two dosages. I have not had any of the other problems mentioned in these reviews at this time, well into day two of taking the pills twice a day. Although I had absolutely no appetite, I made sure I ate a little something with the pill. This may be partially why I have not had digestive issues, I really have not been eating. Other than a little bit with the pill twice a day."

• Dan...
• December 26, 2010

For Influenza "It was three days before Christmas 2010, and my husband and I were out and about shopping in the malls and stores for Christmas gifts. It just came on him really fast: ache, shakes and sweat, fever of 104.7, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching everywhere, stuffy head. So bad that he was out for the count, and we thought we would not get to go anywhere for Christmas. Well, then to top it off, my son, who is 14, got sick too. So I was working, taking care of them, and you guessed it, got sick too! We all went to the doctor and got Tamiflu, and wow!!! Miracle medicine. Would love to kiss the person who found this! We were coming out of it the first day we all took it. The best 1-10, it a 100! Thanks so very much for not being sick anymore."

• Dlt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2015

For Influenza "Co-worker was diagnosed with the flu. Forty-eight hours later, I had fever, headache, joint aches, and cough, and went to the doctor. Nasal smear confirmed strain A. Within twenty-four hours of starting Tamiflu, symptoms were better. Three days after starting Tamiflu, feeling much better with no fever or headache. Still have cough, but getting better. First time I have taken this medicine. But it made me a believer!"

• MAM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2019

For Influenza "Going on day 3, and from the 1st dose, I have had abdominal pain!! Heartburn on fire, slight strange headache, cough. Stopping this stuff as not worth it! Should have known, but I thought I would try it. Never again."

• bgw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2020

For Influenza "I went from fine to congested to full-on fever/chills/vomiting/cough in 24 hours. Got tested at urgent care right away (Type A influenza), was prescribed Tamiflu and an anti-nausea med to take with it, and was dosed within a day of my first symptoms. By the next morning, after two doses, I felt human again. I'm on Day 3 now and the fever and chills are gone. Still have a little digestive upset, but the vomiting is long gone. I feel like I'm in the final stages of a head cold. It has been amazing. I understand the secret is to start taking it as soon as possible after symptoms start. Probably helps, too, that I had a flu shot. I would definitely use this again."

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2020

For Influenza "Started flu symptoms early Sunday morning. Later that afternoon, got chills and ached pretty bad with nasal congestion and a croupy cough. Monday felt worse but started with fever and fever breaking. My husband had to take me to the doctor since I couldn't drive from having recent surgery. Got a Monday afternoon appointment, and the doctor ran tests and confirmed I tested positive for the flu. The pharmacy never got my electronic prescription, so Tuesday afternoon, after my husband got off work, they finally filled the prescription. Started taking Tamiflu that afternoon and started feeling better within hours. I'm nearly finished with the prescription, but still have a cough, nasal congestion, and am a little weak. But as far as aches and pains and fevers, it's been great. Feel like I'm recovering much faster than my husband did when he had the flu several weeks ago and did nothing for it except miss 5 days of work."

• Dee...
• September 24, 2013

For Influenza "Flu came out of nowhere on a Saturday. Chills and headache were the worst but also had cough, earache, body aches. Temp was 102. Spent the weekend in bed, not sure I would survive. Went to the doctor on Monday and tested positive for the flu. Started Tamiflu and a Z-pak. By Tuesday, I was feeling much better. Expensive, but I do not regret the cost because it worked, and I only had to pay the copay. Many years since I had the flu, and it was much worse than I could imagine. Would pay the whole $80 if needed."

• Anonymous
• March 12, 2015

For Influenza "I began taking Tamiflu at about the 72-hour mark. They say this is borderline that it can help at this stage. I felt so bad (headache, body aches, hot/cold, cough) that the doctor decided to try it. After 2 doses, fever broke, aches are gone, and only slight coughing. Still a little fatigued. Wasn't sure this would work... But I believe it now."

• K9n...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 7, 2018

For Influenza "Today is day 3 of taking Tamiflu, and they weren't kidding when they said possible side effects. I have dizziness, a splitting headache, and diarrhea. However, my flu symptoms have lessened in the first 24 hours. I went to urgent care with a temp of 102+ with nausea, cough, body misery, and earache. I was given an RX for Tamiflu, the pharmacist said to take my first dose right away (it was 6 PM), then the next dose at bedtime. I waited till midnight. Then started the next day at 9 AM and then again at 9 PM and so on. It keeps me awake at night and anxious during the day. I can't wait until it's done in 2 more days. It works, but I don't like it."

• Mic...
• February 18, 2018

For Influenza "I came down with the flu on a Friday, and I just thought it was the common cold. I found on Monday it was flu type A, so I was prescribed Tamiflu. On Tuesday I felt better, but on Thursday I became very lightheaded, moody, fatigued, and started having bad respiratory problems, especially a hacking, hoarse, itchy cough. It's terrible, and I don't recommend this medication. I stopped taking the medication after 4 days, and I'm miserable."

• Kee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2018

For Influenza "Felt crummy this past Friday-thought my cold from a couple weeks ago was circling back. Woke up Saturday feeling like I’d been hit by a train-coughing, headache, back pain, aches all over, temp of 100+. Slept most of the day. Woke up Sunday just as bad. Dragged my carcass to a med check. Tested positive for flu B. The nurse practitioner gave me Tamiflu and told me to hydrate and totally rest for a couple days. It’s now Tuesday, feeling semi-human. No temp since Sunday night. No aches. Still a bit of a cough and some mild fatigue. Going back to work tomorrow. Yes, the medicine does upset my tummy a little, but I still think it made a big difference."

• hat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2018

For Influenza "Tested positive for the flu and prescribed Tamiflu. Began taking it at noon the day prescribed. Day two was rough - fever, aching, brutal cough, and an added surprise - nausea, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Day three: no fever or aching, BUT stomach pain unbearable. Cannot eat, even though I am hungry, because of nausea and stomach pain; horrible combination! Can't sleep because I haven't eaten, yet when I take a bite of anything, I want to puke! I would rather have battled the fever, etc. with OTC medication and suffered than deal with the side effects. Day four: hardly slept, up at 3 am trying to find something I can eat and keep down. Did not take 2nd dose on day three, and I'm not taking another pill. Would NOT recommend this medication."

• ohn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2016

For Influenza "I am on day 6 of this medicine, and I still feel horrible. The body aches are gone (thank goodness), but everything else still exists. I'm still extremely tired and nauseous, and I have been coughing uncontrollably, sneezing, runny nose, etc. I cannot stand more than a minute without having to lay down. I feel like I wasted $50.00. I was so excited to get this drug to offer me some relief."

• Dia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2017

For Influenza "My daughter barely benefited-if at all-from taking Tamiflu. She began taking Tamiflu liquid on the first day of contracting the flu (her annual flu shot failed to protect her). A week later, she still has flu symptoms, though they remain moderate and never became severe. Her fever peaked at 103°F, it is now 100.5°F. Her nose remains stuffy, she still has a mild cough and body aches. Overall, I am fairly dissatisfied with this product, especially considering the high cost of $86 after insurance."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2019

For Influenza "My daughter started showing flu symptoms last Saturday. I started coughing a bit the same night. Took her to urgent care - she was confirmed influenza. I gradually started feeling worse - tired, heavy chest, coughing, aches, low-grade temperature, exhaustion. I did a telemedicine call with my physician to get on Tamiflu. Started it Sunday night. Stayed home from work Monday with headache, low-grade fever, and general malaise. However, by evening I noticed a big improvement. By Tuesday, I felt well enough to go back to work - the day was very tiring and my head felt as if someone was squishing it together. But I’ll be tip-top by tomorrow. Insane. I’m definitely taking this again. Made this flu so mild."

• Ang...
• March 14, 2018

For Influenza "Horrible drug. I took it for 3 days. Never again. Gave me horrible side effects. I still have pain in my back and cough. Did not help at all. I am only grateful that I used my brain and never gave it to my daughter. Since taking this, I don't believe in doctors anymore, especially those useless ones from walk-in clinics."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2019

For Influenza "It seems to be working. I have bad anxiety, and it gave me a mild cough. I'm only taking it once a day. I have influenza A. I did have diarrhea when I first started it and some strange breathing, but that got better too. I would take it again if needed."

• Bes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2015

For Influenza "Husband was diagnosed with influenza B (swab) but had had symptoms too long to get Tamiflu. However, when a coworker and I talked, she was surprised to find that the clinic had not prescribed it to me as I have a pre-existing lung condition. Hubby was diagnosed Thursday night; I got Tamiflu Rx by phone on Friday. Was to use one a day for 10 days as prophylaxis; two a day if I showed symptoms. By Friday night, had congestion, fever, etc. Had a headache and slight fever for two days; now on the fifth day, the only thing I'm battling is cough/chest congestion and fatigue. Convinced that Tamiflu helped immensely, particularly as husband's symptoms were far worse than what I ever endured."

• Pro...
• January 23, 2018

For Influenza "Now I have had the A flu, B flu, as well as when the swine flu was an epidemic, I got hit with a cross of that and avian flu. I don't remember taking Tamiflu. I again have the B flu, and upon taking the Tamiflu that my doctor prescribed me, I began profusely vomiting to the point where I couldn't breathe and had begun to cough up blood. I don't know what is in Tamiflu, but that med has it in it. Have you ever had to throw up a NyQuil? It's like slowly coughing up the worst cough syrup known to man."

• Hdg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2018

For Influenza "My 8-year-old daughter and I both are using this right now. Daughter was brought in within 24 hours of symptoms starting (super sick, high fever, etc.). Long story short, her confirmed case of influenza A (swab at the doctor) lasted 1.5 days, and she was back to normal with only a cough here and there. Blows my mind! Same with me. I went in wishing 24 hours and also tested positive, took Tamiflu-symptoms lasted a little over a day."

• car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2018

For Influenza "My husband and I were both flu vaccinated. He became sick. The sickest he has been in the 41 years I have known him. The doctor confirmed it was the flu. Sudden onset of cough, body aches, chills, fever, headache, and malaise. Fever and chills persisted for 6 days, and after day 10, while back at work, still not really feeling himself. He went to the doctor too late for Tamiflu to work supposedly, but I was given an Rx. While taking care of him, I was sanitizing, not touching, and trying to avoid catching the flu from him. On his day 7, I suddenly started coughing and watched my fever gradually inch up from its usual 97.4 to an actual fever. I then immediately started the Tamiflu. It was a miracle worker. Yes, I coughed, felt some chest symptoms, had to stay in bed and sleep. But I avoided getting chills, body aches, and the duration and intensity of complaints were so greatly reduced. I am still taking the Tamiflu but am really over the symptoms. I believe I would have been much sicker."

• bub...
• February 14, 2016

For Influenza "Woke up Thursday, and my throat hurt. By the end of the day, it was on fire, and I had chills, sweats, fever, and coughing. Friday felt like I was hit by a bus. Sweated all night with intermittent chills. Couldn't swallow anything. Nothing OTC was working. Went to my doctor appointment. Doctor prescribed Tamiflu without hesitation because apparently when you're pregnant, you can get sick fast (no kidding). Took it Friday night and Saturday morning, thus far, no relief of anything. Throat is still on fire, can't swallow anything. The only thing that helps are hot liquids. Stuffed-up nose, cough, mucus, chills, fever, sweats, body aches, yep, have it all still. Meds are the grossest tasting I have ever had. Was told to open the capsule and place it in food like pudding... almost vomit every time."

• BGB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2019

For Influenza "Normally, when I get the flu, I just take Dayquil and Nyquil. After the fever, 3 days later, I am fine. This year, my wife insisted I go to the doctor to get medicine 1 day after I already had my fever. I was prescribed Tamiflu, and 11 days later, I am still coughing. Now that's 13 days of being sick. On day 9, my son caught it. So, in conclusion, Tamiflu just made everything worse. If I had just done Dayquil and Nyquil, I would have no symptoms, not be coughing or sneezing, and would be less likely to spread the virus. Never taking Tamiflu again."