Oseltamivir is given typically for how many days to treat influenza?

Oseltamivir is commonly prescribed for the treatment of influenza and is typically administered for a duration of 5 days. This duration is based on clinical studies that have demonstrated efficacy in reducing the duration of symptoms when the medication is started within the first 48 hours of symptom onset.

The 5-day treatment course is designed to sufficiently inhibit viral replication to alleviate symptoms and potentially reduce the risk of complications from influenza. Prolonging this course beyond 5 days generally does not confer additional benefits and could lead to unnecessary side effects or complications. While initiating treatment sooner can be crucial, completing the full 5 days is important for achieving therapeutic effectiveness.