Posted on 11/25/2007 5:52:07 PM PST by neverdem
Associated Press
Government health regulators recommended adding label precautions about neurological problems seen in children who have taken flu drugs made by Roche and GlaxoSmithKline.
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday released its safety review of Roche's Tamiflu and Glaxo's Relenza. Next week, an outside group of pediatric experts is scheduled to review the safety of several such drugs when used in children.
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. Five deaths resulted from children "falling from windows or balconies or running into traffic."
There have been no child deaths connected with Relenza, but regulators said children taking the drug have shown similar neurological problems.
While FDA said it isn't clear whether the problems are directly related to the drugs, it recommends adding language about the possible side effects to labeling for physicians who prescribe Tamiflu and Relenza.
Besides being a drug side effect, the agency said the behaviors alternately could result from an unusual strain of flu or a rare genetic reaction to the drug.
Company representatives were not immediately available for comment.
ping
I thought all shots were safe all the time </s>
ping
Tamiflu comes either as a capsule or suspension, and Relenza is inhaled.
They’re not shots. They’re medications to take for the flu if you get it in spite of the shot.
FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.
OK, so aren’t all medications supposed to be safe all the time?
“OK, so aren’t all medications supposed to be safe all the time?”
You’re making things up, and in addition you obviously had no idea what Tamiflu is.
There have always been various warnings about Tamiflu, particularly with kids, and of course are numerous warnings about even aspirin. I don’t personally know anybody who thinks every drug is safe. Do you? If so, you need to find smarter friends.
Thanks
That’s pretty awful. Of course, we’re all used to *not* seeing millions die of influenza. Thanks neverdem.
This one is a no brainer--go for the Vit D.
I’ve also been led to believe that Tamiful is not very effective.
No. Virtually all drugs have adverse drug reactions, sometimes including allergic reactions such as aspirin and penicillin.
You've been listening to someone with an agenda.
Tamiflu is quite effective except against a strain that has acquired a sort of resistance.
The strains commonly in circulation as seasonal influenza are not resistant.
Tamiflu may be effective against resistant strains at higher dosages (not entirely clear yet).
Ping.
Why risk the side effects if there’s another safer alternative? I won’t. Give me Vit D and other natural alternatives.
You know of anything else that is, in this world at least?
Flu drug reactions in children ping... (Thanks for posting this neverdem!)
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