Tamiflu Side Effects

Updated on November 06, 2009
R.C. asks from Saint Paul, MN
13 answers

Hi Ladies,

My 4 year old was just prescribed Tamiflu. Based on what I have read on this sight, I was terrified to give it to her due to the potential side effects. My doctor assured me that he thought she needed it and that the side effects are far less severe than bacterial phenomia or other secondary ilnlesses that h1n1 seems to bring on.
I filled the Rx and gave her her first dose at about 11:00, so 50 minutes ago.

My question is, what side effects should I look for, and how fast do they come on? Is there any point that I am out fo the woods (so to speak) as far as side effects go? I should add that I am holding off on giving her the loading dose of azithromycin until I know she will not throw it up.

Thank you in advance.

R. (scared mommy right now).

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So What Happened?

Thank you for your responses. I did give it to her and she seemed to handle it just fine all day. She woke up at 9:30 last night and did vomit a couple times, but that was it. I am hoping she will finish these next four days without incident. I too try to go natural when I can, but her lungs sounded terrible and I just couldn't risk it. Thanks again!

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J.N.

answers from Minneapolis on

My 2 year old had no side effects. It did upset her tummy a bit but she was fine if I gave it to her after a meal.

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R.C.

answers from Minneapolis on

Just to (perhaps) put you at ease, my daughter just finished a course of Tamiflu with no negative side effects. I hope it's the same for your little one!

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C.D.

answers from Omaha on

I would not hesitate to start your daughter on the anitbotic that only gives any infection an increased start to being harder to get rid of. You will know if she is allergic to the Tamiflu which is normally headache, throwing up etc. If you don't use the tamiflu within 24/48 hours then it is useless for her to take it at all. Your mommy instincts will tell you the right thing to do.

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S.O.

answers from Lincoln on

You should've first tried giving her a big boost of Vitamin C and Vitamin D to boost her immune system, plus some echinacea. I highly suggest signing up on Dr. Mercola's website to get the facts you need about the H1N1 and the medications for it. He backs his research with facts from other Dr's research, medical journals, information from other countries, etc. The public is very misinformed right now.

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C.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

The most common side effects in children are nausea and vomiting. Give it to her with food. My 10 year old and 13 year old had no side effects. The 10 year old got it too late to be helpful, but it really saved my 13 year old with asthma from getting seriously ill. A mother did post here last week that a child about your daughter's age had signficant vomiting after taking Tamiflu. Good luck.

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B.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

Both my girls are on tamiflu right now and have been for a few days. My 8yr.old is having behavioral,psyhological changes agitated, angry, mad...she's had vivid dreams and nightmares too. My 13mo.old baby seems to be high like a kite. Neither are throwing up or having diarreha. I always give them food with their meds though. I think the benefits of tamiflu out weigh the risks of complications from the flu so were going to continue with the meds. My 8yr.old got the flu and was fine in 2 days which is amazing. My 13mo. old is on the mends of recovering so I place her at being sick for 3 days. I think the tamiflu has done wonders for them. My 8yr.old has one more dose today and will be done with her tamiflu so far besides behaving odd she's been fine.

I myself took the tamiflu a few weeks ago and I did have vomitting/diarreha but I can't be certain tamiflu caused it, I also experianced depression and anger and frustration a few days after taking it. I though the world was out to get me and everyone hated me.I snapped out of it, and if I had to I would take tamiflu again.

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Z.A.

answers from Milwaukee on

Go online and check it out!I'm sure you'll find lot's of info about it!Good luck!!

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M.W.

answers from St. Cloud on

If you are that concerned about it, I would NOT give it to her.... But we tend to go the natural route so I learn towards that end of the spectrum anyways. Have you looked online for some natural ways you can help her combat the illness??? We always try natural remedies and the chiropractor first. The one time we gave in and gave our daughter a dose of amoxicillian for a sinus infection (although when my husband took her back in they told him the chart said ear infection....) she was allergic to it. Just confirmed our belief that the natural way is better. She was 4 when this happened and that was the first time EVER that she had medicine.

Good luck.

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N.C.

answers from Duluth on

Look at the site http://www.tamiflu.com/sideeffects.aspx so that you will be more comfortable with the prescription for your child.

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J.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

;

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M.D.

answers from Minneapolis on

My twins are on day 4 of Tamiflu and have had no side effects at all. Good Luck!!

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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

Hi R.,

I posted a question on this site last week about Tamiflu because my daughter had terrible side effects from it (violently ill, nightmares and fitful sleep), but they started pretty much right after giving her the Tamiflu; I would say at least 30-45 minutes after giving it to her. She had a fever for 3 days and I kept her home from school an extra day as a precaution. Sounds like Tamiflu can shorten the length of the flu so I would continue to give it to your daughter and give her the antibiotic as well. If it's been close to an hour since you gave her the dose and she's fine, chances are she'll be okay on the antiviral. I've kept my daughter's Tamiflu on hand in case my son gets sick, too, I'll try him on it and see how he does.

Good luck and I hope your daughter feels better soon!

S.

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K.R.

answers from Omaha on

My seven year old had the flu and our Ped. Dr prescribed Tamiflu for my 12 year old. I too was worried about the side effects since she has asmtha, but the Dr advise this was the way to go. 1 hour later she became hallucinating and very frighten. Very scary experience! We called the pharmacy and they suggested warm tea and tylenol. If the symptoms did change to take her to the ER. No more Tamiflu. I think I would have rather for her to catch the flu than to go through that type experience. Further more, she has clearly stated...Mom drugs aren't always good for you even if they are prescribed. Some doctors will advise based upon the pharmacy companies that sell the product to them.
Don't shake off your sixth sense. If it doesn't fill right don't do. That's why God made MOM's.
Good Luck and Take Care.

Mom of 2 beautiful girls, wife and Transportation Manager

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