With the Avian Flu nearby, lots of people are interested in getting a medication to help prevent it. Tamiflu seems to be very popular and it's a oral tablet that has an antiviral property that can help kill the flu virus. While it may help, it doesn't protect you 100% from getting the bird flu. Here's some info :
What is Tamiflu used for?
Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate), an oral anti-viral drug is used for treating adults, adolescents, and pediatric patients 1year of age and older with the flu whose flu symptoms started within the last day or two. Tamiflu is also used to reduce the chance of getting the flu in people age 13 and older who have a higher chance of getting the flu because they spend time with someone who has the flu. Tamiflu can also reduce the chance of getting the flu if there is a flu outbreak in the community.
Special Warnings Concerning Tamiflu:
Tamiflu's safety and effectiveness have not been determined in people with chronic heart or lung disease, kidney failure, or in people with high-risk underlying medical conditions.
General Precautions with Tamiflu:
- Tamiflu has not been shown to treat flu-like illnesses caused by any virus other than influenza A and B (e.g., stomach flu, common cold, or other respiratory illnesses not caused by influenza).
- Other kinds of infections can appear like influenza or occur along with influenza, and need different types of treatment. Contact your health care provider if you feel worse or develop new symptoms during or after treatment, or if your influenza symptoms do not start to get better.
- Taking Tamiflu should not affect your decision to have an annual influenza vaccination.
- The safety and efficacy of repeated courses of treatment have not been established.
- Tamiflu is not indicated for treatment or prevention of the flu in patients less than 1 year of age.