Tamiflu Dangers For Children

Last Friday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety review of Tamiflu, manufactured by Roche, and Relenza, manufactured by Glaxo Smith Kline. Both of these drugs are designed to mitigate the effects of the flu. The review addresses the potential dangerous effect these drugs can have on children.
The FDA began reviewing Tamiflu in 2005 after it received reports of children experiencing neurological problems, including hallucinations and convulsions. Twenty five patients under the age of 21, most of them in Japan, have died after taking the drug. Five of these deaths resulted from children becoming involved in accidents after taking the drug. There have been no reports of child deaths connected with Relenza, but there have been reports of children taking the drug showing similar neurological problems to those involved with Tamiflu.
The FDA has recommended adding language about the possible side effects to labeling for physicians who prescribe Tamiflu and Relenza. Additionally, an outside group of pediatric experts is scheduled to begin a review of the safety of these drugs when used for children.