Yes, Tamiflu Is Safe While You’re Pregnant

When you’re pregnant, some medications are off the table. So, if you get the flu — or you’ve been around someone who has it — it’s natural to wonder what’s safe to take.

You can’t help but ask, Is Tamiflu safe while pregnant?

Ob/Gyn Oluwatosin Goje, MD, walks us through the risks of the flu when you’re pregnant and what to know about Tamiflu during pregnancy.

Why the flu can be more serious during pregnancy

Pregnancy changes your body in ways that can make infections like the flu harder to fight. Part of that is because your immune system doesn’t work at full speed when you’re pregnant. (That also explains why you’re more susceptible to food poisoning and should avoid certain foods.)

“When you’re pregnant and get the flu, it can be more complicated and more detrimental, particularly if you also have other medical conditions,” Dr. Goje explains.

Getting the flu when you’re pregnant can bring more severe symptoms. It can also raise your risk for hospitalization and complications like miscarriage, preterm birth and low birth weight.

But prompt treatment with pregnancy-safe medications can make a meaningful difference.

“Even if you’ve faced the flu before without much of a problem, getting it when you’re pregnant can be a much different matter,” Dr. Goje says. “So, it’s definitely worth discussing with a healthcare provider.”

What is Tamiflu?

Tamiflu is a prescription antiviral medication used to treat influenza A and B. It’s not a treatment for other viral illnesses or for pregnancy symptoms, like nausea or morning sickness. It’s only used to treat the flu.

The influenza virus causes the flu. Unlike bacteria, viruses aren’t alive — and that means they can’t be killed. Instead, Tamiflu works to slow the virus down.

It does that by blocking an enzyme that the flu virus needs to spread from one cell to the next. That keeps the flu virus contained to fewer cells. Fewer infected cells mean an easier-to-manage infection.

Think about it like this: If the flu is a fire, Tamiflu closes the doors and locks the windows to keep the fire from raging through the rest of the house.

“It’s not a cure,” Dr. Goje clarifies. “But by preventing the virus from spreading, you’re reducing the severity of symptoms and giving your body time to heal.”

Is Tamiflu safe during pregnancy?

Tamiflu is considered safe during all stages of pregnancy.

“We have a wealth of data about the safety of Tamiflu in pregnancy,” Dr. Goje emphasizes. “Both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage its use in pregnancy.”

Tamiflu can be used in two ways:

• If you test positive for the flu, it can be used as treatment.
• If you had close contact with someone who has the flu, it can be used to keep you from getting sick.

You can also take Tamiflu more than once during a pregnancy, if needed. So, if you got the flu and took Tamiflu, you can still take it again if you get sick again — like if your older kid brings home the flu bug from school.

“If you need it, you need it,” she emphasizes. “Tamiflu can be an important part of supporting a healthy pregnancy.”

Tamiflu and breastfeeding?

Tamiflu is also considered safe if you’re breastfeeding.

“Many medications aren’t recommended when you’re breastfeeding because they pass into breast milk,” Dr. Goje explains. “But the amount of Tamiflu that transfers is so negligible that it’s considered safe when you’re nursing.”

If you’re breastfeeding and develop symptoms or are exposed to the flu, talk with a provider to get tested.

Timing and dosage during pregnancy

The dosage of Tamiflu is the same whether you’re pregnant or not. What matters most is why you’re taking it and how soon you start.

Your provider will likely recommend the following dosages:

• 75 milligrams (mg) twice a day for five days if you have the flu
• 75 mg once a day for seven days if you’ve been exposed to the flu

Timing is key. Tamiflu works best when you start it early. Remember, Tamiflu locks up the house. And it’s much more effective to contain the fire before it spreads too far.

“Ideally, you want to take Tamiflu within the first 24 hours of symptoms starting,” Dr. Goje says. “But up to 48 hours is still effective.”

If you suspect you or someone in your immediate circle has the flu, seek medical care quickly. It can make all the difference in getting effective treatment.

Side effects

Tamiflu doesn’t have any pregnancy‑specific risks, but like all medications, it can cause side effects. The most common ones include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Diarrhea

“These side effects can feel similar to flu symptoms, but they’re usually milder and don’t last as long,” Dr. Goje says.

If side effects become severe or hard to manage, your provider can help you decide how to proceed.

Flu prevention tips

The best way to avoid needing Tamiflu in the first place is to practice flu prevention.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Wash your hands well and often.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Disinfect surfaces and shared spaces if someone in the house is sick.
• Consider getting a flu shot, which is recommended during any trimester of pregnancy.

Even with the best-laid plans, you can be exposed or develop flu symptoms. If that happens, Dr. Goje recommends quick action: “If you think you have the flu, get tested and treated,” she urges. “Tamiflu is safe, and early treatment can make a real difference.”

If you’re pregnant and unsure whether you should take Tamiflu, talk with your pregnancy care provider or another healthcare provider. Together, you can weigh your options and make the safest choice.