Tamiflu - Part 1 - Health Plus Digest

Tamiflu is a medication that’s been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of the influenza virus which causes seasonal flu. It is approved for adults and children age one year and older. To date, it is the most frequently prescribed flu medication. The manufacturer believes that the first step in treating and preventing the flu is the use of Tamiflu which must be taken within the first 48 hours of symptoms. Tamiflu is available in capsule form and fruit flavored liquid form for dosages in younger children. It can be taken with or without food and is usually taken twice daily for five days. At this time the medication has also been approved for flu prevention. (1,2)

In 2009, the British Medical Journal reported that the medication may not be as safe in the treatment of children as was previously thought. They recommended that the use of the medication be reserved for those who are in a high risk group where the virus would not typically cause severe symptoms. (3,4)

However, as much as it may be enticing to use medication to decrease the effects of the influenza virus or to prevent the contraction of the flu, there have been some significant side effects from the medication reported in the literature which begs the answer to the question of risk versus benefit.

Tamiflu should not be used in place of getting a yearly flu shot and should not be used if you have had the flu vaccine nasally within the past two weeks. Individuals who suffer from kidney disease, heart disease, lung disease, any condition causing swelling or any disorder of the brain or any other serious disease or health problem should also not use Tamiflu. This medication is recognized as pregnancy category C., which means that it is unknown whether or not it is harmful to an unborn baby. (5)

Resources:

(1) Center for Disease Control and Prevention: 2011-2012 Influenza Antiviral Medications

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/summary-clinicians.htm

(2) PubMed Health: Oseltamivir

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001054/

(3) British Medical Journal Group Blog: Helen Macdonald on Side Effects, Tamiflu and the Swine Flu Hotline

http://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2009/07/31/helen-macdonald-on-side-effects-tamiflu-and-the-swine-flu-hotline/

(4) The Guardian: Don’t Give Tamiflu or Relenza to Under-12s, Warns Researchers

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/10/children-tamiflu-harms-outweigh-benefits

(5) Drugs.com: Tamiflu

http://www.drugs.com/tamiflu.html

(6) Health Freedom Alliance: Girl, 19, Lft Battling Blindness After Taking Tamiflu