We recently warned that flu season is upon us again, bringing Tamiflu—the antiviral inhibitor—back into focus from doctors' prescriptions. However, steer clear: do not purchase this preventive medication for swine flu online.
Exercise Caution with Flu Antivirals
The Royal Dutch Pharmacists Association (KNMP) urges everyone in the Netherlands to avoid buying antiviral drugs online. Pharmacists also recommend caution when using these medications out of fear of swine flu. Taking antivirals preventively serves no purpose.
In fact, preventive use of flu inhibitors increases the risk that the drug will be less effective if you later contract the flu. The virus could develop resistance, leaving you worse off.
A Key Insight
Even if you've already contracted swine flu, the KNMP states that antivirals offer little benefit. They may shorten illness duration from an average of seven days to five—a minimal difference.
Buying antivirals online is particularly risky. These products are often of poor quality and come with excessively high prices. Just don't do it.
Read more about the flu wave sweeping the Netherlands
