What is the recommended frequency of oseltamivir for treating influenza?

The recommended frequency of oseltamivir for treating influenza is twice daily. This dosage regimen is designed to optimize the medication's effectiveness against the virus by maintaining therapeutic drug levels in the body throughout the day. Administering oseltamivir twice daily helps ensure that the antiviral action is sustained, allowing the drug to effectively inhibit viral replication and reduce the severity and duration of influenza symptoms.

Given that influenza is often acute in its presentation, timely and consistent dosing is crucial for achieving the best outcomes. The two doses a day regimen balances the pharmacokinetics of the drug, taking into account its half-life and the need for adequate levels in the system to combat the infection properly. Other dosing frequencies, such as once daily or every 4 hours, would either not provide sufficient drug concentration during the critical periods of viral shedding or would be impractical for patient adherence.