Tamiflu – Relenza
Food and Drug Administration experts are recommending new label warnings about possible dangerous psychiatric side effects of the influenza drugs -
Tamiflu and Relenza.
• 25 dead : Twenty-five patients under age 21 have died while taking Tamiflu. Five deaths resulted from children “falling from windows or balconies or running into traffic”
• Similar effects: Children taking Relenza have shown similar problems.
Studies revealed 596 cases in which patients who took Tamiflu experienced neuropsychiatric events such as delirium, delusions or hallucinations. The episodes sometimes led to impulsive behavior and self-injury. Tamiflu is made by Roche Holdings.
Tamiflu, available in pill and syrup form, is used to treat the symptoms of seasonal influenza. In a bird flu pandemic, many experts believe the drug could help reduce the length and severity of symptoms.
Safety concerns about Tamiflu arose two years ago after reports of 12 deaths and 32 cases of psychiatric problems in children. Labeling for Tamiflu in the U. S. notes self-injury and delirium have occurred primarily among pediatric patients.
Now FDA regulators are recommending that U.S. labeling be updated to note “fatalities have occurred in adult and pediatric patients, the onset may be abrupt, and fatal events have occurred even while the patient was being monitored.” Regulators cautioned that no causal link has been established between the drug and the abnormal behavior, and that delirium and other problems can be complications of influenza.
Roche spokesman Terry Hurley said reports of abnormal behavior were “infrequent.”
(The Houston Chronicle – http://www.chron.com/)
FYI- I remember when the ‘flu shots’ were first being recommended for older citizens. Then I started hearing of these folks dying – as a direct result of their flu shot. I have never taken a ‘flu shot’, nor will I ever! – Granny Earth, N.D.
