Two boys have died after reacting abnormally to the flu medicine Tamiflu, with one plunging to his death from a condominium and the other jumping in front of a truck, a doctor has announced.
Besides these fatal cases, a teenage girl also attempted to jump from a window two days after taking Tamiflu, but her mother managed to stop her. (Mainichi)
Even though a document attached to Tamiflu warns that the drug could cause abnormal behavior or hallucinations, this is the first time that such a reaction has led to a death.
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has confirmed the cause of death of at least one of the boys was the result of side-effects from the drug.
The doctor, Rokuro Hama, who heads the Japan Institute of Pharmacovigilance for Evidence-Based Healthcare, will report the details of their deaths in a session of the Japanese Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases under way in Tsu, Mie Prefecture.
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., the importer of Tamiflu, reported the incident to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, saying that the possibility of odd behavior (due to the medicine) cannot be ruled out.
link
Filed under Birds, Entirely Pets, Pet Meds, Uncategorized | Tags: Cases | Comment Below
Related?
New Bird Flu Drug Better Than Tamiflu?December 27th, 2005 Scientists in China said they have created a drug that is superior to the existing drug Tamiflu for treating humans infected with bird flu, state media reported. However, no details were given on whether any clinical tests had been conducted on the drug and whether it had been approved for production or sale.
Avian Flu: Tamiflu Resistant Virus Strain Discovered October 17th, 2005 Scientists reported on Friday that an avian influenza virus isolated from a Vietnamese girl has been determined to be resistant to the drug Tamiflu. Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, working with colleagues in Vietnam and Japan, reported that a young girl developed a strain of the virus that was highly resistant to the drug after taking a prophylactic dose of the drug.
The 12th Human Case of Bird FluNovember 26th, 2005 Indonesian health officials confirmed Saturday, that a 16-year-old boy has tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu. Seven avian flu cases in Indonesia have been fatal.
Great Tasting Pet Meds Lessens Headache For OwnersOctober 31st, 2005 Due to bad taste sometimes your pets do not want to swallow medicine. Pharmacists Harold and Kenneth Kramm did some research and found that flavored medicine works as well for pets as for people.
Pet expenses don't stop with adoptionMay 14th, 2005 In response to "Adopting a dog is expensive" (Letters, April 28.) If a person can't afford to adopt a dog from the shelter, how are they going to pay for annual vet exams and vaccinations? To spay or neuter their dog? For emergency treatments? Obedience classes, while extremely affordable, do cost. How about heartworm medicine and quality food? Oh, wait.
Bird Flu Measures Are Set To Come Into Force October 28th, 2005 Measures designed to combat the threat of a bird flu pandemic are comming into force today. The UK Government has introduced a ban on the sale and display of birds at markets, shows and fairs around England, with separate arrangements for Scotland and Wales.
Reaction of your child when pet diesApril 16th, 2005 For many children, their first exposure to death will be that of a pet.Parents magazine offers tips on how to help children cope with the death of a pet.I like to thank the Parents magazine, as it would be a real good help for parents, to help out their children from the first experience of death.
Pet Owners Beware of the Importance of VaccinationsDecember 28th, 2005 We must not allow ourselves to overlook the basic values of preventive medicine. Specifically, to the importance of vaccinations.
