Tamiflu consumer Information

2006-03-30T07:17:03+02:00

What is Tamiflu used for?

Tamiflu is for treating adults, adolescents, and pediatric patients 1year of age and older with the flu whose flu symptoms started within the last day or two. Tamiflu is also used to reduce the chance of getting the flu in people aged 1 year and older who have a higher chance of getting the flu because they spend time with someone who has the flu. Tamiflu can also reduce the chance of getting the flu if there is a flu outbreak in the community. The use of Tamiflu to reduce the chance of getting flu has been studied up to 42 days in adults and up to 10 days in children.

Special Warnings Concerning Tamiflu:

Tamiflu’s safety and effectiveness have not been determined in people with chronic heart or lung disease, kidney failure, or in people with high-risk underlying medical conditions.

General Precautions with Tamiflu:

Tamiflu has not been shown to treat flu-like illnesses caused by any virus other than influenza A and B (e.g., stomach flu, common cold, or other respiratory illnesses not caused by influenza).
Other kinds of infections can appear like influenza or occur along with influenza, and need different types of treatment. Contact your health care provider if you feel worse or develop new symptoms during or after treatment, or if your influenza symptoms do not start to get better.
Taking Tamiflu should not affect your decision to have an annual influenza vaccination.
The safety and efficacy of repeated courses of treatment have not been established.
Tamiflu is not indicated for treatment or prevention of the flu in patients less than 1 year of age

source:www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/druginfo/tamiflu.htm

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Tamiflu shunned by another DHB

2006-03-23T12:31:26+01:00

Another DHB is railing against the Government's bird flu recommendations.

The Bay of Plenty District Health Board, fears it would be a waste of money stocking Tamiflu if it was not used before its expiry date. The Lakes District Health Board agrees and is also not stocking the drug.

Lakes DHB Medical Officer of Health Dr Phil Shoemack says bird flu is just a threat at the moment, so it is unnecessary for the DHB to have the anti-viral in addition to the Government's 855,000 dose stockpile.

He says the best thing people can do is to have the general influenza vaccine and follow simple hygiene rules.

source:http://home.nzcity.co.nz/

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