Tamiflu is the brand name in the United States for the drug generically called oseltamivir. The medication, MayoClinic.com reports, works to prevent swine flu, part of the influenza A strain. It also can help treat people who suffer from the effects of the influenza B and other influenza A strains of the flu virus. The medicine can help decrease symptoms such as rhinitis, a sore throat, bodily weakness, fevers and headaches, MayoClinic.com reports. The drug can cause some side effects.
Hallucinations
The use of Tamiflu can cause the person taking the medicine to hallucinate. This means he may see things that do not exist or are not present. He also may hear imaginary noises. He may feel sensations on his skin that do not exist. The person experiencing hallucinations may not realize he has a problem, so those around him must be aware of the potential of these problems. Those people around him should watch for signs of such serious side effects after the person takes Tamiflu. Drugs.com recommends getting medical treatment immediately if any form of hallucination occurs.
Behavioral Changes
Tamiflu may cause the person to act and speak differently than she normally would. She may exhibit strange behaviors while taking Tamiflu, Drugs.com reports. Because abnormal behavior classifies as a serious side effects, the family members and other people near the person taking Tamiflu should get the person to the doctor or emergency room immediately if she exhibits symptoms.
Confusion
The person taking Tamiflu may become confused as a serious side effect of the medication. He may have trouble following conversations or watching television. He may become confused about people in his life or about everyday tasks he normally performs. He may be unaware of what day it is, what time it is or even where he is. If this confusion occurs in a person taking Tamiflu who does not already suffer from mental confusion, his family members should get him to the physician or hospital emergency department immediately, Drugs.com recommends.
Mood Shifts
When a person takes Tamiflu to either prevent H1N1 swine flu infection or to treat flu symptoms, she may experience serious side effects related to her moods. She may become happier or sadder than usual, or she may become irritable and angry when she normally does not experience such moods frequently. Drugs.com recommends medical intervention immediately for anyone exhibiting changes in mood while under the influence of Tamiflu. Mood changes also may occur only temporarily at the start of treatment, MayoClinic.com indicates.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Oseltamivir (Oral Route)
- Drugs.com: Tamiflu Side Effects
- MedlinePlus: Oseltamivir
- Eurosurveillance: Oseltamivir Adherence and Side Effects Among Children in Three London Schools Affected by Influenza A (H1N1)V, May 2009 --- An Internet-Based Cross-Sectional Survey
- MayoClinic.com: Oseltamivir (Oral Route)
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