I was prescribed Tamiflu but now everyone is telling me not to take it - is it safe

[Peaches (The Original)]

After calling NHS Pandemic Line they diagnosed probable swine flu and I now have a pack of Tamiflu. Everyone I speak to is warning me not to take it. (When I say everyone, I mean friends and family, not health officials). I have asthma and am allergic to penicillin. Is it safe?

[Ma Ma]

Hey there I had swine flu a week and a half ago it worked wonders with me.They are saying it can be dangerous to children but I had noproblems with it if you want a faster recovery then take them. Although before I was perscribed TamiFlu the nruse on the phone said that you can treat it like normal flu if your swine flu symptoms havent developed that bad.

[why]

Hi Xmas Baby,

I can understand your concern. When you were not well you chose to see your doctor and not everyone else? You are obviously feeling better and therefore the doctor's opinion and expertise is less important now.

I wonder if "everyone else" has the expertise to direct your medical care now. If you feel that they are better than follow them otherwise stick with your initial decision and your doctors initial decision.

Others have nothing to lose. You will ruin your health or the health of people who are close to you. The doctor has his professional image and responsibilities.

In my opinion your initial decision to seek medical opinion and treatment was the most beneficial for you, people who are close to you, and the community at large. The final choice is yours, only your choice matters.

[just me]

Get your Dr to give you a phone call and ask him, dont listen to family and friends nless they have a PHD in medicine because they wont know what their talking about unles they have taken hours an hours every day overlong periods of time researching health matters.

[steptoe]

There are some potential side-effects. In Britain it's been reported that 50 percent of children taking it suffer some negative effects (typically nausea and some neurological effects such as nightmares, insomnia).

There are potentially worse effects - such as serious lung damage, but these are very rare. Most strong medications have the potential for adverse side-effects but they are generally outweighed by the positives.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/jul/31/tamiflu-side-effects-children

Really you should speak to your doctor who will be much more familiar with your individual circumstances. It's a serious decision & there are pros and cons both ways.

Prior to H1N1/09 (as they're now calling it) the issues with Tamiflu weren't talked about, but now that hundreds and thousands of people are taking it these side-effects are starting to be reported.

[Jasmine]

Yes it's safe but they all have side effects, this is mostly nausea. Did the stupid people who were warning you not even bother to tell you WHY it was not safe? Shows you how much they know about it....

When did your symptoms start? Sounds like it's too late anyway. It needs to be within 48 hours.

take it if your doctor says to.

[Gismo]

This is the first time I hear that Tamiflu is dangerous. Anyway I am no expert, but I did a little research on the web for you and found the following questions and answers (I will also provide you with the link so you can take a peek yourself)

Can I take antivirals if I have asthma or COPD?
Yes - Tamiflu is safe to take. However, Relenza (an inhaler) is usually not given to people with asthma as on rare occasions it can cause breathing complications.


So perhaps your loved ones have Tamiflu confused with Relenza and that is why they are telling you not to use it. If anything, this is the first-like I already said-I have heard of it being dangerous, I have heard and read that people using it found it to be useless, that it often only reduces your symptoms by a day or so, and at best reduces the severity.
But seeing that you have a chronic health condition I really would not stray from the advice of your health care provider (I am hoping that you have been examined by your practicioner) anyway best of luck and hope this has helped you in some way.