The FDA is concerned about reports coming out of Japan in which children who were given Tamiflu died while others began to behave abnormally.

Governments around the world are buying up huge stocks of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) as it is the only medication that may give some measure of help for patients infected with the more virulent strain of bird flu (H5N1). The drug is being stockpiled in preparation for a looming flu pandemic.

There is no conclusive proof that Tamiflu caused the deaths of the 12 children, says the FDA. Roche, the makers of Tamiflu, says that millions of people have taken the drug and that complications are extremely rare. The company suggested there may be a possibility that the flu itself caused the complications, rather than the antiviral drug.

Two of the children who took Tamiflu and died were aged 2 and 4. Apparently, they were fine before they got flu (normal human flu, not bird flu). They died within two days of taking Tamiflu. In Japan there are also reports of 31 children experiencing neuropsychiatric events after starting treatment with the drug. Children had hallucinations, 2 jumped out of the second floor window of their home and others showed abnormal behavior.

Tamiflu is popular in Japan for treatment of people who get the flu badly. Japan has issued over 11 million prescriptions of Tamiflu. The country accounts for over 80% of worldwide consumption.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today