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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGirl, 6, Suffers Frightening Side Effects After Taking Tamiflu
ALLEN, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) A North Texas family says their daughters side effects from the popular drug Tamiflu were beyond what they ever could have imagined and left them saying never again.
Like so many others, the 6-year-olds flu diagnosis that came with a choice: whether or not to take Tamiflu to speed up the course of the dreaded illness.
The family from Allen, who wants to remain anonymous, says the side effects were stunning: hallucinations, running away from school and an attempt, they believe, to hurt herself.
The second story window was open, which is in her bedroom, and she used her desk to climb up onto it, and she was about to jump out the window when my wife came up and grabbed her, her father said.
They took her to the hospital, where a doctor informed them that nervous system problems including psychosis can be a very rare side effect of Tamiflu. Emergency room physician Dr. Glenn Hardesty, with Texas Health Prosper, says its very rare but can happen.
Less than 1 percent is whats listed in the data sheet, he said. Ive been in practice 20 years, and I havent seen that particular complication.
It is written in the fine print, and Dr. Hardesty says theres always a chance of a side effect with any drug. The little girls parents say they wish they had known.
I dont think the 16 hours of symptom relief from the flu is worth the possible side effects that we went through, her father said.
His message for parents: do your homework before taking Tamiflu or any drug.
Know that side effects are there for a reason. Theyre written down for a reason. I guess they can happen, and we got the short end of the stick, her father said.
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Tamiflu Side Effects
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, nosebleed, eye redness or discomfort, sleep problems (insomnia), hives, cough or other respiratory problems.
The flu itself or Tamiflu may rarely cause serious mental/mood changes.
This may be more likely in children.
Tell your doctor of any signs of unusual behavior, including confusion, agitation, or self-injury.
Nonhlanhla
(2,074 posts)It is unfortunate that she suffered this rare side effect. The sad thing is, though, that one of the side effects of the flu is death, in which case taking Tamiflu is a good choice. Pick your potential poison. There are no guarantees either way.
Irish_Dem
(47,131 posts)a few weeks before. She was so sick we went to the ER, she is high risk for complications since she
has asthma. They tested her and she came back positive for swine flu. I was not going to take any changes so insisted on the Tamiflu. When we got home from the ER she became combative, hostile and seemed quite confused. I put her to bed and she was better the next morning.
I think the psych problems with Tamiflu are probably higher than the 1% on the data sheet.
But in light of the fact teenagers were dying with the swine flu, it was worth the risk in my mind.
Edited to add: within a day of taking the tamiflu her flu symptoms were gone.
It was amazing. But yes keep an eye out for side effects.
McCamy Taylor
(19,240 posts)Any time you give your child a new med read up on side effects and monitor for side effects. But also consider what could happen if you decide not to treat
Iggo
(47,558 posts)It's not.
But it sure sounds like it.
Blue Owl
(50,425 posts)n/t
phylny
(8,380 posts)and months later, I got the flu. I felt like death. When I was diagnosed, I was out of town - 6 hours away by car. I was offered Tamiflu and filled the prescription. Took me 9 hours to drive home because I kept having to stop to nap. I felt 90% better in a few days.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)But it's better to have the shot than not.
phylny
(8,380 posts)The point of my post was to mention about how effective Tamiflu was
REP
(21,691 posts)Its a severe and dangerous reaction: it doesnt put me under and give me temporary amnesia; instead, it wakes me up and keeps me up.
So I have Midazolam listed as an allergy and its not used on me. Im sure this family can figure this one out.