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Swine flu drug 'harmful to young'

59 mins ago

 

Print StoryChildren should not be given the anti-viral drug Tamiflu because its

harms outweigh any benefits, researchers have said. Skip related content

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They called on the Department of Health to have an urgent rethink of its current

policy in the swine flu pandemic.

 

Their study found that Tamiflu caused vomiting in some children, which can lead

to dehydration and complications.

 

And the drug had little or no effect on asthma flare-ups, ear infections or the

likelihood of a youngster needing antibiotics.

 

Dr Carl Henegan, a GP and expert from the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford,

said the current policy of giving Tamiflu for mild illness was an " inappropriate

strategy " .

 

He added: " The downside of the harms outweigh the one-day reduction in

symptomatic benefits. "

 

The study comes little over a week after other research found that children

given Tamiflu preventatively reported side-effects including nausea and

nightmares.

 

Researchers analysed four studies involving children aged one to 12 taking

Tamiflu or another anti-viral, Relenza.

 

The children were being treated for normal seasonal flu but the experts behind

the research said their findings would extend to the current swine flu pandemic.

 

Dr Matthew Thompson, a GP and researcher at Oxford University, said children

with mild symptoms should be treated in the same way as if they had any other

mild flu - with drinks to cool high temperatures and rest. There was no need for

children who were otherwise healthy to be taking Tamiflu or Relenza. Parents

should be on their guard, however, for any potential complications and signs

that their child is getting worse, he said.