With flu season approaching, governments all over the world are hording flu vaccines such as the new drug, Tamiflu. Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) is an antiviral capsule or powder to be taken orally within the first two days of flu symptoms. Tamiflu allegedly reduces the chances of contracting the virus and claims to stop the spread of flu once it has been contracted. Tamiflu has been approved for prescription to those 1 year old and older to treat influenza types A and B.
The Tamiflu product information states that during clinical studies patients taking Tamiflu experienced an increase of nausea, vomiting, bronchitis, insomnia and vertigo compared to those taking a placebo. Tamiflu is not recommended for those pregnant or nursing or those with known kidney disease, heart disease, respiratory disease or any serious health condition.
In addition to Tamiflu's known side effects, there were 48 reported incidences last year of serious abnormal psychiatric behavior, such as delirium and hallucinations. With new reports of suicidal behaviors in patients taking Tamiflu, medical professionals and the drug's manufacturer are monitoring the drug closely.
Tamiflu has been prescribed to approximately 33 million people worldwide and is marketed and distributed by Roche Laboratories. The U.S. Strategic National Stockpile of Drugs has 2.3 million treatments of Tamiflu and continues to order more.
Tamiflu in the News
NOV-26-07: Government health regulators recommended adding label precautions about neurological problems seen in children who have taken flu drugs made by Roche and GlaxoSmithKline. The FDA began reviewing Tamiflu's safety in 2005 after receiving reports of children experiencing neurological problems, including hallucinations and convulsions. Twenty-five patients under age 21 have died while taking the drug, most of them in Japan. There have been no child deaths connected with Relenza, but regulators said children taking the drug have shown similar neurological problems. [YAHOO: TAMIFLU]Roche Holding AG, the Swiss maker of the antiviral medication Tamiflu issued a new warning for the flu drug, noting patients must be closely monitored for potential psychiatric problems, including delirium and suicide. More than 100 recent cases of delirium, hallucinations and other unusual psychiatric behavior in patients treated with Tamiflu have been reported. Tamiflu is prescribed 2 million times a year in the United States and 6 million times a year in Japan. (Nov-14-06) [CNN NEWS]
U.S. and European agencies are investing the unexplained death of 12 Japanese teenagers who took Tamiflu to combat the influenza virus. The FDA is looking at incidences of death with Tamiflu, related factors, and also the incidences of serious skin reactions. (Nov-17-05) [BLOOMBERG]
Medical professionals worldwide are keeping a close eye on Tamiflu after two Japanese teens committed suicide while on the flu medication. (Nov-15-05) [BBC NEWS]
Researchers report that a strain of the avian (bird) flu, H5N1, is resistant to the flu drug Tamiflu. The H5N1 strain has infected 117 people and killed 60 in Asia since 2003. The H5N1 bird flu virus has now spread west to Turkey. (Nov-15-05) [SAN FRANCISCO CHRONCILE]
Register your Tamiflu Complaint
If you or a loved one has attempted or commited suicide, you may qualify for damages or remedies that may be awarded in a possible class action lawsuit. Please fill in our form on the right to submit your complaint and we will have a lawyer review your Tamiflu complaint.At LawyersandSettlements.com, it is our goal to keep you informed about important legal cases and settlements. We are dedicated to helping you resolve your legal complaints.
