Frequently Asked Questions

Dissolve the entire contents of one tube in the mouth every 6 hours, up to 3 times a day. As with all homeopathic medicines, Oscillococcinum should be taken in a mouth free of strong flavors or anything that may coat the mouth. We recommend taking the medicine 15 minutes before or after eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth.

If your symptoms have not improved after the first day, repeat the dosage instructions — take one dose every 6 hours, up to 3 times a day, for 2 more days. If after 3 days you show no improvement, we recommend consulting your health care professional. If your symptoms improve and you would like to take Oscillococcinum for a longer period of time, please consult your health care professional.

Oscillococcinum is recommended for adults and children 2 years of age and older. Ask a doctor about using Oscillococcinum in children younger than age 2.

No, Oscillococcinum is designed to be taken without food or water. Simply dissolve the entire contents of one tube in your mouth. The medicine is absorbed through your mouth (sublingually).

We recommend touching the Oscillococcinum pellets as little as possible with your fingers or hands. Introducing any moisture to the pellets will begin the dispensing of the medicine, and any oils on your skin may coat the pellets and hinder absorption once the medicine is in your mouth. For this reason, Oscillococcinum comes in single-dose tubes so there’s no need to handle the pellets directly. Simply pour the contents of one tube into your mouth and let dissolve.

Oscillococcinum contains Anas barbariae, hepatis et cordis extractum 200CK. A homeopathic medicine’s active ingredients are listed on the product label in Latin, which is the international packaging standard.

HPUS stands for Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States. The HPUS defines the defines the production and quality standards recognized in the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It also establishes the first safe dilution level of homeopathic active ingredients used as OTCs for adults and children. Consumers should look for this acronym on labels of homeopathic products. It ensures consumers that the ingredients were prepared according to the high standards of this official guideline.

Oscillococcinum pellets contain sucrose and casein-free lactose.

Oscillococcinum pellets contain sucrose and lactose. Each dose of Oscillococcinum contains 1 gram of sugar.

Oscillococcinum is free of soy, gluten, nuts, eggs, fish, dyes and colors, and preservatives. Oscillococcinum does contain sucrose and lactose. Do not use if you are allergic to Oscillococcinum.

Yes, Oscillococcinum pellets have been certified kosher and dairy, excluding Passover. View the certificate here: Boiron Oscillo Kosher Certificate-2023-24.

Oscillococcinum does not cause drowsiness. It has a low risk of side effects and no contraindications. There are no known drug interactions between Oscillococcinum and other medications, herbs, or supplements.

Oscillococcinum can be taken with other medications, herbs, supplements, and other homeopathic medicines.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your health care professional before taking any medicine, including Oscillococcinum. If your health care professional needs more information on our medicines, they can contact us at 1-800-BOIRON-1.

Each dose of Oscillococcinum contains 1 gram of sugar. This small amount is very unlikely to have an effect on your blood sugar levels. However, please consult with your health care professional on whether this amount will be a problem for your condition.

No, we do not recommend taking Oscillococcinum past its expiration date.

Yes, over-the-counter medicines like Oscillococcinum are classified as a “medical expense,” making them eligible for reimbursement. That means you can use your HSA or FSA funds to pay for Oscillococcinum.

Yes. Two studies, published in peer-reviewed journals, show that Oscillococcinum reduces the severity and shortens the duration of flu-like symptoms.1-2 The most recent study showed that 63 percent of the patients who took Oscillococcinum at the onset of flu-like symptoms showed “clear improvement” or “complete resolution” of their symptoms after 48 hours, vs. 48 percent with a placebo.1

1. Papp, R., G. Schuback, E. Beck, et. al. “Oscillococcinum® in Patients with Influenza-Like Syndromes: A Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Evaluation.” British Homoeopathic Journal 87, no. 2 (1998): 69-76. doi:10.1038/sj.bhj.5800208.
2. Ferley, J.P., D. Zmirou, D. Dadhemar, and F. Balducci. “A Controlled Evaluation of a Homoeopathic Preparation in the Treatment of Influenza-Like Syndromes.” British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 27, no. 3 (1989): 329-35. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.1989.tb05373.x.

Oscillococcinum is pronounced o-sill-o-cox-see-num. You can say Oscillo (o-sill-o) for short.

Homeopathy is a therapeutic method that uses diluted substances to relieve symptoms. The active ingredients in homeopathic medicines include diluted plants, animals, or minerals that relieve the same symptoms they cause at full strength (e.g., a microdose of coffee bean helps to relieve nervousness).

Homeopathic medicines have been used for more than 200 years. They are manufactured in strict accordance with the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS) and drug Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Today, homeopathic medicines are used by millions of patients and recommended by health care professionals around the world to relieve many acute health conditions such as allergies, coughs, colds, flu, stress, muscle pain, and teething.