Feeback on Tamiflu Side Effects and Usage, consumer reviews

Tamiflu Reviews

If you’ve used Tamiflu, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history. You can use the form below to add your comments, feedback or Tamiflu review.

Subj: Worry about defects
Date: 3/28/2009
My wife took tamiflu during her first month of pregnancy but didn’t know she was pregnant. Ultra sound is fine but should we worry about defects?

Mike

AskDocWeb: There seems to be an uncomfortable silence when it comes to facts about the possibility of birth defects. In the approval process, Tamiflu in pregnancy did cause birth defects in animals. “There were a variety of defects detected in developing [rabbit] fetuses. Most of the observations were an increased incidence of minor skeletal abnormalities and variants. The sponsor has argued that most of the incidence values were within normal range and were not considered real. However,?coupled with the ossification problem in rats and mortalities associated with bone problem in marmosets it is suggested that [Tamiflu] may have effects on bone.” This dilemma was fixed by changing the language on the label to say that pregnant women should not take Tamiflu “unless the benefits outweigh the risks.” Whatever that means. We have not found any additional research on Tamiflu and birth defects but did read that the drug was being dispensed to pregnant women in South East Asia, so hopefully we will learn more eventually.

Subj: Tamiflu stored in refrigerator
Date: 4/28/2009
If my tamiflu has been stored in the refrigerator for more than a year in an air-tight bottle, will this inactivate it?

Chet

AskDocWeb: If you are talking about the liquid suspension, that is intended to be used within days not months.

Subj: Expiration date?
Date: 4/29/2009
My tamiflu pills expired 6 months ago- from the date on the pharmacy label- stupid question- is it still good? Are the five years in addition to the expiration date?

Veronica

AskDocWeb: The five years is NOT in addition to the expiration date but you might want to hang on to those pills for awhile yet. The shelf life of Tamiflu may be extended because of the swine flu or H1N1 virus. Europe’s London-based drug watchdog has recommended that the shelf life of Tamiflu be changed to 7 years from the current 5 years due to the outbreak of the new H1N1 virus. Once formally approved by the European Commission, the new guidelines from the European Medicines Agency would apply to all newly manufactured Tamiflu capsules, it said. The watchdog also called for tablets already on the market to be used for up to two more years after their current five year expiration date during a declared pandemic. “Patients who have Tamiflu capsules that have recently expired should not dispose of them because they might be needed during a novel influenza A/H1N1 pandemic,” the London-based agency said.

Subj: Expiration date
Date: 4/29/2009
I understand Tamiflu has a shelf life of 5 years. My question is this, if we have Tamiflu whose expiration date has passed, but we’ve owned it for only 3 to 4 years, are we still safe taking it? Thank you,

Leif

AskDocWeb: See the answer to the post above.

Subj: Oral suspension of Tamiflu
Date: 4/29/2009
After the oral suspension of Tamiflu is mixed how long is the shelf life?

Tomica

AskDocWeb: The constituted oral suspension of Tamiflu typically is used within 5 to 10 days of preparation. The pharmacist should write the expiration date on the pharmacy-attached label. The maximum shelf life of pharmacy compounded suspension is 5 weeks (35 days) if stored in a refrigerator at 2 to 8 degrees C (36 to 46 degrees F) or 5 days if stored at room temperature (77 degrees F).

Subj: Stored in refrigerator
Date: 4/29/2009
Product day of tamifly is 08/20/2004. It was stored in refrigerator at temperature 8 degree Celsius. Can it be used for treatment.

RS

AskDocWeb: Was that liquid Tamiflu suspension or capsules? The capsules have a much longer shelf life. Many pharmacies put a use by date on the container.

Subj: Expiry date
Date: 4/30/2009
Have bought some tamiflu and the expiry date was 07/2006 on the box. Is this still safe to use?

Stephen

AskDocWeb: That seems highly unlikely, there has been talk about increasing the expiration date an extra two years but not three.

Subj: Shelf life of tamiflu?
Date: 4/30/2009
What is the shelf life of tamiflu? I have some dated 2005 and your web says the self life is 5 years. But other websites say it has been increased to at least 10 years. What is the current thinking, and is my product still good against the current outbreak (75 mg 10 caplets). “Storing Tamiflu Tamiflu has a shelf life of 5 years. Store at room temperature, away from heat, light and children.”

Tom

AskDocWeb: In double checking the shelf-life of Tamiflu we found that the European Medicines Agency has extended the shelf-life an extra two years from the old five year limit to a seven year shelf-life now. This was done in response to concerns of a global shortage of a drug that could help prevent and treat the flu virus in the event of a pandemic. There has been talk of extending the shelf-life out to 10 years but as far as we know, that has not been done.

Subj: Taking tamiflu
Date: 4/30/2009
I started taking tamiflu even though I don’t have any a facts as yet – I read the read out from Walgreen drugs and it said I could take without having the swine flu is this ok? Thank you for you help.

Carmela

AskDocWeb: Were you exposed to someone who had the swine flu (H1N1) virus? Taking any prescription medicine without having the facts may be dangerous. Please read about the possible side effects.

Subj:
Date: 5/1/2009
I had bought some Tamiflu (in the U.S.) when I was going overseas and avian flu was a major issue where I was going. I did not need to use it. The expiration date on the prescription is 10/20/06. If the shelf life is 5 years, how long is this good for?

Katie

AskDocWeb: Information from the European Medicines Agency suggests that Tamiflu may be effective up to 2 years after your expiration date but that doesn’t due you any good since yours is almost 3 years past the use by date.

Subj: Hepatitis?
Date: 5/26/2009
I have a full prescription for Tamiflu from September, 2005. I am researching for possible use this coming fall as I have a propensity to catching the flu. I am on Synthroid and also noted from this website that Tamiflu may cause hepatitis? That is a very serious disease to contract. What is the percentage of causation due to injesting tamiflu? Also, any concerns if you take Synthroid on a daily basis? Thank you.

Sandy

AskDocWeb: Yes, Tamiflu may cause hepatitis but that is a rare side effect. Exact statistics are not available on how often this side effect shows up. Hepatitis is an infection or inflammation of the liver which may cause nausea; vomiting; fever; jaundice/yellowing of the skin; abdominal pain; fatigue; loss of energy; abnormal liver blood tests including GGT and AP/alkaline phosphatase.

Subj: BEWARE!
Date: 6/4/2009
My daughter took Tamaflu and became severely suicidal, moody, threatening, dillusional, and simply out of control and crazy. I couldn’t figure out what was happening as she was seriously freaking out. I went online and found that this occurs sometimes. Why wouldn’t my doctor tell me this? It seems to be pretty important since in our area H1N1 is everywhere, and many kids are being treated. I actually found her playing with knives (she’s only 11). This stuff is dangerous!

Jen

Subj: Hives and rash
Date: 6/18/2009
I was given tamiflu in Hong Kong hospital even though I didn’t have any symptom of swine flu, which my daughter had. I took my last dose on 6/4/09, and it’s 6/18/09 now, and I still have hives / rash on my legs. I also had urinary incontinence until 6/15/09. I don’t recommend anyone taking the medicine at all.

AC

Subj: After taking Tamiflu
Date: 6/24/2009
While recently taking tamiflu I developed a weakness in one leg above the ankle. The strength returned upon stopping the medication. However a month later a skin sensitivity in that area remains. There are no rashes, but small scratches, are not healing normally.

Neal

Subj: Storing Tamiflu
Date: 6/29/2009
Several years ago I bought Tamiflu capsules and have had them in normal refrigeration ever since, thinking this would extend their life. I see above that they have a 5 year (now extended to 7 years?) life at room temperature. Has the refrigeration hurt them? Should I take them out of refrigeration?

William

AskDocWeb: Just as too high a temperature can degrade a medication, so can too low a temperature. The lowest allowable minimum temp for storing Tamiflu is 59 degrees F or 15 degrees C. Storing it at lower temperatures reduces the shelf life.

Subj: Effect of H1N1
Date: 8/18/2009
I have glaucoma in my eyes. What could be the effect of H1N1 and so the Tamiflu? Thanks,

Farid

AskDocWeb: The H1N1 virus produces flu symptoms very much like the regular seasonal flu which comes in a verity of strains. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, body aches, headache, chills, coughing, runny nose, nausea, sore throat, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The warning signs that children are in need of urgent medical attention include:

  • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  • Bluish or gray skin color
  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Not waking up or not interacting
  • Severe or persistent vomiting

The warning signs that adults are in need of urgent medical attention include:

  • Confusion
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Severe or persistent vomiting
  • Sudden dizziness

The effects of Tamiflu are listed here.

Subj: Exposed to swine flu
Date: 9/13/2009
My friend has swine flu and I was definitely exposed. I feel fine but it has only been 1 day. Her doctor said that there was a prevenative I could take. I have no insurance so before I go to the doctor for no reason, is this true or should I just wait for symptoms to appear?

Jamie

AskDocWeb: It is true that there is something to help prevent you from getting the swine flu. It is a vaccine that is intended to work along-side the seasonal flu vaccine but it is not available to everyone yet. According to Dr. Anne Schuchat (head of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases), officials expect “widespread availability” by mid-November. In the mean time, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that only certain groups receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine. These groups include:

  • Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
  • Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
  • Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
  • All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
  • Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
  • Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
  • Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

According to the advisory committee for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention those who should be first in line to get the H1N1 influenza vaccine when it becomes available are;

  • Pregnant women
  • parents and caretakers of young children
  • all healthcare workers
  • people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years
  • non-elderly adults with underlying medical conditions

Once the demand for vaccine for the prioritized groups has been met at the local level, programs and providers should also begin vaccinating everyone from the ages of 25 through 64 years. Current studies indicate that the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. However, once vaccine demand among younger age groups has been met, programs and providers should offer vaccination to people 65 or older.

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