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Key takeaways
Rest and fluids are recommended as the first line of defense against the flu. Antibiotics cannot be used to treat the flu, because antibiotics treat bacterial infections, and the flu is caused by a virus.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can alleviate symptoms of the flu but will not cure it; choices should be based on specific symptoms experienced.
Prescription antivirals, such as Tamiflu, can reduce the severity and duration of flu symptoms if started promptly, usually within 48 hours of symptom onset.
The flu vaccine is highlighted as the best preventative measure, especially important in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, to protect oneself and others.
Since the flu is a virus, rest and fluids are usually the first line of defense—not antibiotics. “The flu is not curable; however, available medications can shorten the duration of symptoms,” says Elizabeth Bald, Pharm.D., an assistant professor (clinical) in the department of pharmacotherapy at the University of Utah.
If you’re diagnosed with the flu, chances are that your healthcare provider’s treatment plan will only recommend that you drink plenty of water and stay in bed. However, some over-the-counter and prescription medications can alleviate symptoms.
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Over-the-counter flu medicine
No over-the-counter (OTC) medication will cure the flu. Medication branded for cold and flu treatment can simply help ease certain symptoms—so make sure to get the one specifically for the aches and pains you’re actually experiencing.
The flu can cause a range of issues, from sore throat to upset stomach. If you just have a fever, a dose of Tylenol (acetaminophen) may suffice. For a nighttime cough with body aches, a combination medication could do the trick. If you’re on the road to recovery and just feeling all stuffed up, a decongestant might be the best option.
It can be difficult to know which flu medicine is the best, especially when you’re feeling ill. Use this table to compare these medications that you can take to treat your symptoms. Then, combine them with lots of rest and fluids.
| Symptom | Drug class | Drug name(s) | Restrictions and side effects | SingleCare savings |
| Fever and pain relief | Analgesics | Tylenol (acetaminophen); Motrin, Advil (ibuprofen) | Avoid giving Aspirin to kids because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome. Some combination flu medications also contain acetaminophen; be careful not to take more than 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in a day. | Get Tylenol coupon |
| Cough | Cough suppressants | Robitussin, Robafen Cough (dextromethorphan) | Do not combine with alcohol. Avoid driving until you know how this drug affects you. This medication can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. | Get coupon |
| Sore throat | Throat lozenges | Cepacol (benzocaine/menthol) | Consuming too many can lead to stomach problems or diarrhea | Get coupon |
| Nasal congestion or stuffy nose | Decongestants | Sudafed (pseudoephedrine); Sudafed PE (phenylephrine) | If you are pregnant, or have high blood pressure, you should avoid these drugs. Some combination flu medications also contain decongestants, be careful not to take too much. | Get coupon |
| Expectorant (to loosen mucus) | Mucinex (guaifenesin) | Mucinex is not used to relieve coughing from long-term conditions like asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. Check with a doctor if you are pregnant or nursing. | Get coupon | |
| Runny nose | Antihistamines | Benadryl (diphenhydramine); Claritin (loratadine) | These medications can cause drowsiness. | Get Benadryl coupon |
| Steroid nasal spray | Flonase (fluticasone propionate) | Steroid nasal sprays may cause nasal burning or irritation. | Get coupon | |
| All of the above | Combination medication | Dayquil (acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, phenylephrine); Nyquil (acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine); Theraflu (acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine) | Be especially cautious with dosing for combination medications. Taking too much acetaminophen can lead to liver damage or death. | Get Dayquil coupon |
| Diarrhea | Antidiarrheal | Imodium (loperamide); Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate (bismuth subsalicylate) | Consult your doctor if diarrhea lasts more than 2 days while taking these medications. Bismuth subsalicylate should be avoided in those with a history of bleeding problems. Check with a doctor if you are pregnant or nursing. | Get Imodium coupon |
RELATED: Non-drowsy Benadryl—what are my options?
Prescriptions for the flu
Immunizations and prescription anti-flu medications are available to prevent and treat the flu.
Vaccination
The best treatment for the flu is to avoid getting it at all. The flu vaccine is an important first line of defense. “This vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from the flu,” says Dr. Bald.
“Getting a flu shot is extremely important this year as symptoms of the flu can easily be confused with symptoms of coronavirus, and our health system is already burdened caring for patients with COVID-19,” says Dr. Bald.
RELATED: Why the flu shot is more important than ever
Antivirals
If you’re at high risk for flu complications, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend an antiviral medication to reduce severity of symptoms and duration of illness. “When initiated promptly, these antiviral medications have been shown to shorten the duration of flu symptoms by one-half to three days,” explains Dr. Bald.
RELATED: How long does the flu last?
There are six FDA-approved antiviral medications that your healthcare provider may prescribe.
| Drug name | Standard dosage | SingleCare savings |
| Tamiflu (oseltamivir) | 75 mg by mouth twice daily for 5 days | Get coupon |
| Rapivab (peramivir) | 600 mg IV infusion over 15-30 minutes administered by a healthcare professional | Get Rx card |
| Relenza (zanamivir) | 10 mg (two 5 mg inhalations) twice daily for 5 days | Get coupon |
| Xofluza (marboxil) | 40 mg by mouth as a single dose | Get coupon |
| Symmetrel (amantadine) | 200 mg by mouth as a single dose or in 2 divided doses | Get coupon |
| Flumadine (rimantadine ) | 100 mg by mouth twice daily for 7 days | Get coupon |
If you think you may have the flu, time is of the essence. “Antiviral treatment can be used in non-high-risk outpatients if it is started within 48 hours of symptom onset,” Dr. Bald says. “Certain antiviral treatments can also be used for prevention of influenza in patients … who have had close contact with a person with confirmed or suspected influenza in the past 48 hours.” Additionally, antiviral drugs might have some benefits in patients with severe, complicated, or progressive illness, and in hospitalized patients even if therapy is started 48 hours after illness onset–so it’s important to see a doctor and get a treatment plan regardless.
Clearly, there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment plan. Each flu case is unique, and so is the plan required to treat it. Dr. Bald explains that, normally, oseltamivir is recommended as the first-line treatment for patients in the hospital with suspected or confirmed influenza, for outpatients with complications or progressive disease and suspected or confirmed influenza, and for patients who are breastfeeding. “Tamiflu is worth taking to make the illness milder and shorter and to reduce the risk of complications in severe or high-risk cases,” Dr. Bald says.
Flu medicine FAQs
Because every flu season–and every flu medication–is very different, it can be difficult to feel like you have enough up-to-date knowledge to know how to treat the flu. But there is some info you can brush up on now that will help you protect yourself and stay healthy. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions (and misconceptions) about treating the flu.
Is the flu curable?
Over-the-counter medications can help with symptom relief, but not even prescription antiviral medications can cure the flu.
“The above medications can decrease the duration and severity of influenza, but it isn’t a cure,” says James Wilk, MD, internal medicine physician at UCHealth Primary Care – Steele Street in Denver. “Fortunately, influenza runs its course within a week or two.”
What’s the best medicine for the flu?
This is a tricky question because the answer can change wildly depending on the circumstance. “What’s ‘best’ depends on the clinical situation—whether the patient needs IV or inhaled treatments,” Dr. Wilk says. “It also depends on the presence of oseltamivir-resistant flu strains in the community. If there isn’t a resistant strain, oseltamivir is an excellent choice for most people.”
Can the doctor give you something for the flu?
Because of the prevalence of COVID-19 (and its similarities to the flu), doctors are encouraging patients to be even more vigilant about flu-like symptoms this year. “This year, COVID-19 throws us all a curveball,” Dr. Wilk says. “Because influenza and COVID-19 present with nearly identical symptoms, it’s important for anyone with flu-like symptoms—fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, cough, feeling unwell and others—to contact their primary care provider to be tested for the flu and for COVID-19 and not wait it out at home.”
Will an antibiotic work for the flu?
The short answer is simply this: no. “The flu is caused by a virus,” Dr. Blad says. “Antibiotics are utilized for treating infections caused by bacteria and are not effective for treating the flu.”
Dr. Wilkes agrees, and adds that “antiviral medications—like the ones listed above—can improve symptoms and decrease the severity and duration of influenza.”
Is Tamiflu worth taking?
It can be. Most people do not need medication if they get the flu; however, if you are in a high-risk group, are very sick, or are worried about your illness, antiviral medications (including Tamiflu) are worth taking to make the illness milder and shorter and to reduce the risk of complications. And it’s important to remember that Tamiflu “works best if you start taking it within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, which is why seeking early medical attention is so important,” Dr. Wilkes says.
RELATED: Is Tamiflu safe?
What happens if the flu is untreated?
The flu often resolves on its own after seven to 14 days, but some people develop more severe illness. “While most people recover uneventfully, many people develop pneumonia afterward and a few develop heart problems or neurological problems, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome,” explains Dr. Wilks. “Some 30,000 to 50,000 Americans die each year from influenza. Treatment with oseltamivir or other drugs may decrease the risk of requiring hospitalization and death.”