Tamiflu

[Lothlorien]

Came across this while searching for something else.

Roche Laboratories has alerted healthcare professionals about neuropsychiatric events that have occurred in influenza patients taking Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate). Tamiflu is used to treat or prevent the flu in patients 1 year and older.

The company's letter says that there have been reports of self-injury and delirium in flu patients who were taking Tamiflu. Most of these events occurred in Japan, and the majority were in children. The possible role of the drug in contributing to these events isn't known. However, the labeling for Tamiflu now says that people with the flu, particularly children, may be at increased risk of self-injury and confusion shortly after taking Tamiflu, and so they should be closely monitored for signs of unusual behavior throughout the treatment period. Caregivers or patients should be told to contact a healthcare professional immediately if a patient taking Tamiflu shows any signs of unusual behavior.

The company's letter also alerts practitioners to the potential interaction between Tamiflu and FluMist, the intranasal flu vaccine. It notes that if they are given together, Tamiflu may inhibit the desired replication of the live virus in the intranasal vaccine. Because of this, FluMist should not be administered within two weeks before, or 48 hours after administering Tamiflu. This potential interaction is not a problem with the injectable trivalent flu vaccine.

Another note, last year, Missy had the flu. When I asked about the treatment....I believe it was Flumist, doctor said that there were some neurological side effects associated with it, so I refrained and stuck with the Occicilliocinum.....a homeopathic flu treatment by Boiron that can be purchased just about anywhere.



Terryj posted this link last year.

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2...08.htm#Tamiflu

 

[smallworld]

Flumist is the nasal vaccine to prevent flu; it's not a treatment to ameliorate sx once you have the flu.

FWIW, my daughter A took Tamiflu when she had the flu at age 8. She has asthma, and it significantly reduced her sx to the point of preventing a major respiratory problem. She experienced zero side effects. If my kids come down with flu-like sx in the near future, I will have them swabbed at their pediatrician's office and rely on him to help us decide the course of treatment.

 

[Lothlorien]

Yes, I realize now that Flumist is the vaccine. Now, I remember that pediatrician told us not to use Flumist, but rather the traditional shot, because of the potential side effects for Missy.

 

[artana]

The fact that Tamiflu is used for this worries me. I remember that it used to be OTC and they pulled it because of the severity of the side effects.

EDITTED: I guess I was wrong about it being OTC. I don't know why I was positive it was. I do remember the scandal over the side effects, but I guess it was presecription even then.

 

[smallworld]

What about using Tamiflu to treat the sx of flu concerns you? It is an antiviral medication specifially develped for this purpose. The flu can kill, including children the ages of our difficult children.

Every medication, including Tylenol, has side effects. It's always wise to weigh the benefits vs. the risk of any medication you are rxed. And it's imperative to be observant and report any unusual behavior to the prescribing physician once any new medication is started.

 

[flutterby]

The neuropsychiatric side effects strongly concern me, especially with children (or adults) who already have neuropsychiatric disorders. That's not a side effect of Tylenol. Apples and oranges.

Some people aren't comfortable with certain medications for their children and they're entitled to feel that way.

It's always best to have all of the information. I, for one, am glad to know of the possibility of this side effect. It completely changes how I would consider the use of this medication for my children or myself.

medications aren't the answer for everything nor everyone.