The best things to take for the flu depend on your symptoms, but a combination of fever reducers, plenty of fluids, and rest forms the foundation of recovery for most people. If you catch it early enough, a prescription antiviral can shorten how long you’re sick. Here’s what actually works and when to use it.
Prescription Antivirals: The 48-Hour Window
Four FDA-approved antiviral medications are currently recommended for treating the flu in the United States. The most widely prescribed is oseltamivir (Tamiflu), taken as a pill twice daily for five days. Baloxavir (Xofluza) is a newer option that requires just a single dose. Two others, zanamivir (inhaled) and peramivir (given by IV), are used less commonly.
The catch is timing. These drugs work best when started within 48 hours of your first symptoms. They shorten the illness by roughly a day and reduce the risk of complications like pneumonia. After that two-day window, antivirals are still recommended if you’re hospitalized, have a chronic condition, or your symptoms are getting worse rather than better. You’ll need to call your doctor or visit an urgent care clinic to get a prescription, so don’t wait to see if you’ll “tough it out” if you’re in a high-risk group (adults 65 and older, pregnant women, young children, or anyone with asthma, diabetes, or heart disease).
Over-the-Counter Fever and Pain Relief
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are the two go-to options for the fever, headache, and body aches that make the flu miserable. Both are effective, and you can alternate between them if one alone isn’t controlling your fever. Stay under 4,000 milligrams of acetaminophen in a 24-hour period, and be aware that many multi-symptom flu products already contain acetaminophen. Doubling up without realizing it is one of the most common medication errors during flu season.
One critical safety rule: never give aspirin to children or teenagers with the flu. Aspirin is linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition that causes swelling in the liver and brain. Aspirin also hides in combination products like Alka-Seltzer and may be listed under other names, including acetylsalicylic acid or salicylate. For kids, stick with children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Cough and Congestion Medications
If a persistent cough is keeping you up at night, dextromethorphan (the “DM” in many cough syrups) is the most common over-the-counter cough suppressant. Clinical studies show it reduces cough frequency and severity compared to placebo. Guaifenesin, the active ingredient in Mucinex, works differently. It loosens mucus so you can cough it up more easily, which is more useful for a wet, productive cough than a dry, tickling one.
Decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or phenylephrine can help with sinus pressure and a stuffy nose. Pseudoephedrine is the more effective of the two but is kept behind the pharmacy counter. Saline nasal sprays offer a drug-free alternative for clearing congestion and have no side effects.
Fluids and Hydration
Fever, sweating, and reduced appetite during the flu put you at real risk of dehydration, which makes fatigue and headaches worse. Water is fine for most adults, but if you’re also dealing with vomiting or diarrhea, you lose electrolytes that plain water doesn’t replace. An oral rehydration solution like Pedialyte contains the right balance of water, sugar, and salts to help your body recover. You can make a basic version at home: 12 ounces of unsweetened orange juice, 20 ounces of cooled boiled water, and half a teaspoon of salt.
For children, the fluid amounts matter. Babies under six months need 1 to 3 ounces per hour, children six months to two years need 3 to 6 ounces per hour, and older kids need 6 to 8 ounces per hour. Warm liquids like broth and herbal tea also help soothe a sore throat and thin mucus in the nasal passages.
Honey for Cough Relief
Honey is one of the few home remedies with clinical evidence behind it. In several studies, it reduced coughing and improved sleep in people with upper respiratory infections, performing about as well as the antihistamine diphenhydramine (Benadryl). For children age 1 and older, half a teaspoon to one teaspoon of honey can be given straight or mixed into warm water or juice. Never give honey to babies under 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism.
Zinc Supplements
Zinc lozenges or syrup, taken within the first 24 hours of symptoms, may shorten the duration of illness. A meta-analysis published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that adults who took zinc had cold symptoms for about 2.6 fewer days compared to those who took a placebo. The evidence is strongest for adults. The same analysis found no significant benefit in children. Zinc can cause nausea on an empty stomach and leaves a metallic taste, so take it with food if that bothers you. Avoid zinc nasal sprays, which have been linked to a permanent loss of smell.
What to Skip
Antibiotics do nothing against the flu. Influenza is caused by a virus, and antibiotics only work against bacteria. Taking them unnecessarily contributes to antibiotic resistance and can cause side effects like diarrhea. The exception is if your doctor diagnoses a secondary bacterial infection, such as a sinus infection or pneumonia that develops after the initial flu illness.
Two older antiviral drugs, amantadine and rimantadine, are no longer recommended because circulating flu viruses have developed high levels of resistance to them. If you have leftover pills from years past, they won’t help.
Warning Signs That Need Immediate Care
Most people recover from the flu within one to two weeks, but certain symptoms signal a dangerous complication. In adults, seek emergency care for difficulty breathing, persistent chest or abdominal pain, confusion or dizziness that won’t resolve, not urinating, or severe weakness. In children, watch for fast or labored breathing, bluish lips or face, refusal to walk due to muscle pain, no urine for eight hours, or a fever above 104°F that doesn’t respond to medication. For any age, a fever or cough that improves and then suddenly returns or worsens is a red flag for a secondary infection like pneumonia.