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Flu — what to take?

Flu (influenza) is a serious seasonal viral respiratory infection (November-March in Romania) affecting 5-10% of the population annually. It spreads via respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated surfaces.

4 recommended OTC drugs
4,387 pharmacies available

OTC — no prescription

What you can take for flu

Paracetamol + Cofeină + Acid ascorbic

Theraflu · Coldrex Hotrem

See prices

Informativ. Nu înlocuiește sfatul medicului. Consultă medicul sau farmacistul înainte de a lua orice medicament.

How to recognise flu

Sudden onset with high fever (39-40°C), chills, severe generalised muscle pain (myalgia), extreme fatigue, frontal headache, sometimes dry cough and sore throat. Nasal symptoms are less prominent than in a cold.

In children, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain may also occur. Typical duration: 5-7 days of acute symptoms, but fatigue may last 2-3 weeks.

Symptomatic OTC treatment

Paracetamol 1000 mg or ibuprofen 400 mg every 6-8h for fever and myalgia. Abundant hydration (minimum 2-3 litres of fluid/day). Complete rest - pushing the body prolongs the illness.

Multi-symptom combinations (Theraflu, Coldrex, Panadol Cold & Flu) contain paracetamol + vitamin C + decongestant, useful for comfort. Do NOT combine with plain paracetamol - overdose risk.

Specific antivirals (Rx)

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) reduces duration and severity by ~30% IF started within the first 48h. It is prescribed for at-risk patients (elderly, cardiac, diabetic, pregnant, immunocompromised). Zanamivir, baloxavir are alternatives. Not given routinely to all patients.

The flu vaccine

Annually updated vaccine, available free for risk groups (over 65, pregnant, medical staff, chronic illnesses). Protection 40-60% - not perfect but reduces severe forms. Optimal time: October-November.

Possible complications

  • Secondary viral or bacterial pneumonia (the most serious).
  • Otitis media (in children).
  • Myocarditis, encephalitis (rare).
  • Decompensation of chronic diseases (diabetes, heart failure).

When it's more than just flu

Dyspnoea, chest pain, blue lips, confusion, persistent vomiting, dehydration, fever that returns after initial improvement (suggesting bacterial superinfection) - all require immediate medical evaluation.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a physician or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a healthcare professional.

Nights, weekends, holidays

24/7 pharmacies for flu

Flu doesn't wait for office hours. If you need a medicine at 2 AM or on a weekend, open the map with the 24/7 filter on and find the nearest on-call pharmacy. Major cities have several round-the-clock pharmacies — the per-city pages below list them all, with address, phone and verified opening hours.

Call ahead before you leave, especially at night — on-call schedules can change and stock for some prescription items may be limited between deliveries.

Search the pharmacy

Medicine categories for flu

Beyond the OTC products listed above, you can also browse whole medicine and supplement categories, with prices compared across Dr. Max, Catena, Tei, HelpNet and the rest of our network. Category pages are in Romanian — the comparator works the same way for you.

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for flu

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For flu most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for flu runs over weeks.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, consult a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Dyspnoea, chest pain
  • Confusion, profound drowsiness
  • Dehydration (little urine, dry mouth)
  • Children under 2, elderly over 65
  • Pregnant women
  • Patients with chronic diseases (diabetes, asthma, heart disease)
  • Symptoms that return after improvement

Frequently asked

Common questions

Should I get a flu vaccine if I've already had flu?
Yes - the flu virus mutates annually, and the vaccine is updated for current strains. Antibodies from previous infection do not fully protect against new variants.
Is Tamiflu worth taking?
Yes, if you are in an at-risk group and start within 48h. It shortens duration by ~1-2 days and reduces complications. It requires a prescription.
When can I return to work after flu?
Ideally - 24h without fever (without antipyretic) and improved symptoms. At least 5-7 days of rest to avoid complications and to not infect colleagues.
Why does flu cause such intense muscle pain?
The virus triggers massive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interferons, TNF) which affect skeletal muscles. It is the normal immune response, not direct muscle damage.

See also

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