Antiviral flu tablets, start within 48 hours

What is flu and how is it different from a cold?

Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Unlike a common cold, flu typically comes on suddenly — with a high temperature, whole-body aching, a headache, extreme tiredness, a dry cough and sometimes a sore throat. Most people feel genuinely unwell rather than just sniffly, and the fatigue can last for a week or more even after other symptoms have passed.

Flu is most common in winter but can circulate at any time of year. In most healthy adults it is unpleasant but self-limiting; in older people, pregnant women and those with certain health conditions it can cause serious complications, which is why antiviral treatment is sometimes warranted.

Who can benefit from antiviral treatment for flu?

Antiviral tablets for flu are prescription medicines — they are not the same as cold remedies from a chemist. They are most useful for people who are at higher risk of complications: those aged 65 and over, people with a long-term condition such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes, and those who are pregnant. They can also be considered for otherwise healthy adults if started very early in the illness.

Antivirals work by stopping the flu virus from multiplying, which can reduce how long your symptoms last and how severe they are. They must be started within 48 hours of symptoms appearing — after that window, they are unlikely to offer significant benefit.

How do antiviral tablets for flu work?

The antiviral tablets available through our pharmacy belong to the neuraminidase inhibitor class. They block an enzyme the virus needs to spread from cell to cell, slowing the course of infection. A typical course lasts five days, taken twice daily.

We do not list specific medicine names on this page. Which antiviral is appropriate for you is a clinical decision made by your prescriber inside the consultation, where they will check your symptoms, health history and any other medicines you take.

How the online consultation works for flu

The consultation is short and designed with urgency in mind — you can complete it in a few minutes. You will be asked when your symptoms started, which symptoms you have, and some key health questions. If antiviral treatment is appropriate, your prescription is prepared immediately and dispatched the same working day, arriving the next day.

Because timing is everything, do not delay starting the consultation if you think you have flu.

When to call 111 or 999 instead

Online antiviral treatment is suitable for people with typical flu symptoms who are stable at home. Call NHS 111 if you are unsure whether you have flu or something more serious, or if you have a long-term condition and are concerned about your symptoms. Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you have severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, confusion, or your condition is deteriorating rapidly — these are emergencies that need immediate face-to-face care.