Girl, 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.