I was just reading on CNN that the FDA has added new warnings about Tamiflu. It may cause delirium, hallucinations, and other unusual psychiatric behaviour in children. I’m sorry I don’t know how to add a link to this story. Maybe someone could please help me out.
http://edition.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/11/13/tamiflu.behavior.ap/index.htm
Keeping fingers crossed I did this right.
Dang, forgot the l at the end. One more try.
http://edition.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/11/13/tamiflu.behavior.ap/index.html
YES, it worked! I hope someone will find this usefull to them.
While this has just now hit the MSM, these observations in Japan were known and first published at least 18 months ago. At that time, more information was needed to confirm the initial findings. Tamiflu is also known to be neurotoxic if it crosses the blood brain barrier, which is why it is contra-indicated for children under 1 year of age, in whom this barrier is not fully formed.
The adamantanes are also known to cause central nervous system (CNS) effects, most commonly in the mood category rather than frank hallucinations. Because they cross the blood brain barrier, they should, in theory, be more effective than Tamiflu against neuroinfluenza when caused by susceptible viruses.
It is possible that, because influenza may attack the central nervous system, that either these cases are caused by the flu itself rather than the Tamiflu taken for it, or that some Tamiflu neurotoxicity is occurring due to flu-damage to the blood brain barrier possibly allowing the Tamiflu to get into the CNS.
If one is aware of the potential for this kind of side effect, the side effect may be managed. People put on the adamantanes are commonly told that if their mood swings or they feel depressed and suicidal, that they should realize it is the drug affecting them and their perception should not be trusted. Being aware it’s a side effect helps keep people from acting on those thoughts.
In the case of hallucinations, the caregiver would be the one who would need the information; unlike a mood situation wherein logic remains largely intact, a patient who is actively hallucinating would not be able to control their own behavior to avoid potentially self-endangering acts.
In the event of bird flu, the risk of death by flu seems likely to be higher than the risk of death by Tamiflu.
Good work roadranger.
Here’s a link that will open in a new window if you want to read the article separately
But if you’re a physician, Medscape will spam you forever more trying to get you to take their online CME classes.