Flu Drug Tamiflu May Cause Odd Behavior in Children

Meanwhile, CDC calls flu vaccine plentiful, despite some delays in shipments.

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter
Monday, November 13, 2006; 12:00 AM

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MONDAY, Nov. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Responding to reports from overseas, U.S. heath officials are urging doctors and parents to watch for signs of bizarre behavior in children taking the flu drug Tamiflu.

Officials at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration don't know if the more than 100 new cases of strange behavior, including three deaths from falls, are tied to the drug, to the flu itself, or a combination of both, the Associated Press reported.

The FDA is mulling changes to the Tamiflu label that may recommend that all patients, especially children, be closely monitored while on the drug.

The agency acknowledged that stopping Tamiflu treatment might harm flu patients if the virus is the underlying cause of delirium, hallucinations and other abnormal behavior that make up the symptoms observed in children abroad. Many of the pediatric problems have been reported in Japan, where the number of Tamiflu prescriptions is about 10 times greater than in the United States, the AP said.

Although severe cases of flu have been known to produce such side effects, the number and type of cases, plus comments from doctors who believe the abnormal behavior is associated with the drug, are keeping the FDA from ruling out Tamiflu as the cause.

The FDA's pediatric advisory committee is to discuss the label recommendation on Thursday, the AP said. The FDA typically follows the advice of its advisory panels.

Also on Monday, the U.S. Centers for Control and Prevention said that, despite delays in the distribution of seasonal flu vaccine this year, the agency is confident that enough doses of vaccine will be available over the next few weeks to meet any demand.

In October, the CDC said that while there was no shortage of vaccine this year, there were going to be delays in getting all the doses manufactured and distributed. The problem particularly affects children's doses.

Since these are delays, not shortages, CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding said she's encouraging people to get vaccinated even as late as early January.