Tamiflu Side Effects

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Tamiflu is the brand name for prescription flu medication oseltamivir phosphate. Anti-viral Tamiflu is classified as a neuraminidase inhibitor. Tamiflu treats influenza infections in cases where symptoms have started within the past two days. Tamiflu also treats children and adults who have been exposed to people with the flu, or are near a flu outbreak.^[1]

Tamilflu treats flu symptoms such as cough, stuffy nose, chills or fever, sore throat, tiredness and body aches, and reduces the time it takes to recover by one to two days. Tamiflu does not replace a flu shot vaccination.^[2] Oseltamivir helps stop the influenza virus from spreading in the body, and is available both in liquid and capsule form. Some common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain.^[2]

Contents 1 Common Tamiflu Side Effects 2 About Drug Side Effects 3 Tamiflu Allergic Reactions 4 Tamiflu Precautions and Warnings 5 References

Common Tamiflu Side Effects

The most commonly reported side effect of Tamiflu is nausea, which may be experienced with or without throwing up.

There have been reports of changes in mood or mental state, primarily in pediatric patients. These symptoms can include agitation, hallucinations, self-harm, confusion, and delirium. In some cases the neuro-psychiatric disturbances have resulted in death. As a result, the FDA has adjusted the information level for Tamiflu to include the recommendation that patients with influenza be monitored for signs of abnormal behavior.^[4]

Since the influenza virus can also cause these symptoms, it is not clear whether the mental confusion is an adverse effect of Tamiflu, or a result of influenza-associated encephalopathy. Other medications may have also been involved. Most reports of such side effects have been in Japan.^[5]

About Drug Side Effects

Tamiflu Allergic Reactions

Symptoms of an allergic reaction to Tamiflu include swelling or itching, particularly of the tongue or face; skin hypersensitivity reactions like rashes or hives; difficulty breathing; and severe dizziness. Allergic reactions to Tamiflu can be caused by oseltamivir phosphate, or to one of the inactive ingredients in Tamiflu. Each Tamiflu capsule contains croscarmellose sodium, povidone K30, sodium stearyl fumarate, pregelatinized starch, and talc. Depending on dosage, the capsules may also contain gelatin, titanium dioxide, yellow iron oxide, and red iron oxide, and black iron oxide. Each capsule is individually printed with blue ink, with FD&C Blue No. 2 as colorant.

The powder used in the liquid or oral suspension form contains sodium benzoate, monosodium citrate, saccharin sodium, titanium dioxide sorbitol, and xanthan gum.

Tamiflu Precautions and Warnings

• Tamiflu may not be effective unless it is started within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms.^[3]
• Tamiflu is not a substitute for an annual flu shot.^[3]
• Influenza caused by viruses other than Types A and B may not be affected by Tamiflu.^[3]
• Tamiflu reduces the effectiveness of flu shots if used within two days before, or two weeks after the shot is administered.^[1]

Also See: Tamiflu Coupons, FluMist, FluMist Side Effects, Theraflu Coupons, Sudafed Coupons, Flu Shot Side Effects, Free Flu Shots, Fluvirin Side Effects

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001054
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} http://www.tamiflu.com/
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3} http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/archives/fdaDrugInfo.cfm?archiveid=7032
4. ↑ http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/postmarketdrugsafetyinformationforpatientsandproviders/ucm107840.htm
5. ↑ http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/UCM154873.pdf