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Original poster

to not want to take tamiflu while pregnant?

29 replies

mikado1 · 16/02/2015 21:43

Diagnosed with flu today at 16 weeks. ..disgusted tho it's not a terrible dose-no aches or pains. I have been prescribed tamiflu and hate the thought of taking something not proven completely safe in pregnancy. Anyone gone through the same? ?

OP posts:
306235388 · 16/02/2015 21:47

Why were you diagnosed ? What I mean is what's symptoms made you go to the doc?

I'm not sure id be comfortable taking it either BUT flu is a very serious illness and you are in one of the at risk groups

Original poster
mikado1 · 16/02/2015 21:51

Temp of 38.4 and smothered with head cold and headache. .thought they were just being cautious bringing me in but then diagnosed with nasal swab. No aches and pains and don't feel particularly feverish. Appetite fine. Maybe worst to come. Don't want to harm baby by not taking it but don't want to harm them by taking it either. .

OP posts:
RubbishRobotFromTheDawnOfTime · 16/02/2015 21:55

Nothing is proven completely safe in pregnancy, it's not really possible to do so.

However, there is no evidence that Tamiflu is harmful to unborn children or pregnant women. From the NHS:

Most health agencies advise that drug treatment and chemoprophylaxis be considered, along with other public health measures, for patients at high risk of complications, including pregnant women and infants.

A study showed that oseltamivir (Tamiflu) was extensively metabolised (broken down) by the placenta. Transfer of the products of oseltamivir across the placenta was incomplete, with minimal accumulation on the foetal side. Other studies have tracked spontaneous miscarriages and malformations after women who were unknowingly pregnant were given the drug. These studies found there to be similar levels of miscarriages and malformations as would be found in the general population. For example, in 90 cases there was one malformation (1.1%), which is within the incidence of major malformations in the general population (1% to 3%).

SimplyRedHead · 16/02/2015 22:07

I took tamiflu and my waters broke about 3 days later when I was 22 weeks pregnant.

Could be a total fluke but I wouldn't risk it again.

I spoke to my friend who is some kind of chemist who works with medicines and jabs and she said that the problem is that people generally don't report side effects from medicine / jabs so unless something happens during a trial, no-one knows.

Like I said, it could be a total fluke and nothing to do with the Tamiflu.

(Amazing my waters only partially broke and I was able to carry my baby until 32 weeks when she was born and she is now 5).

RubbishRobotFromTheDawnOfTime · 16/02/2015 22:11

People certainly report side effects from jabs if they are pregnant and the jab or medicine causes the pregnancy to end or the foetus to be malformed.

I'm glad your DD is fine. I think that the Tamiflu did not cause your waters to break, though.

peutetre · 16/02/2015 22:21

No evidence that it causes harm doesn't mean that it is safe. I wouldn't take it whilst pregnant whatever they say.

lougle · 16/02/2015 22:59

Flu can harm the baby itself though (or rather the increased temperature &other effects).

RubbishRobotFromTheDawnOfTime · 16/02/2015 23:01

It means there is no reason to think it's not safe Hmm

Researchers do not do trials on pregnant women, for anything. All that can ever be said is that there is no evidence of harm when data of pg women who have taken whatever drug it is, is analysed. Flu can damage the foetus. We know that. We have no reason to think that Tamiflu damages it, after looking at the results of lots of other pg women taking it.

So why, logically, would you choose flu over Tamiflu?

SimplyRedHead · 17/02/2015 08:02

"People certainly report side effects from jabs if they are pregnant and the jab or medicine causes the pregnancy to end or the foetus to be malformed."

I didn't report the possibility that there was a connection between taking the tamiflu and my waters breaking.

I have no idea if one thing caused the other, and will never be able to find out. It could've been the tamiflu - who knows.

bcareathe · 17/02/2015 08:06

Flu is dangerous to the baby. IIRR flu in the mother seems to increase the chance of the baby having schizophrenia, a lot. I don't think it's fully understood, and don't take my word for it, but either take your doctor's or do your own research now.

drogoboogie · 17/02/2015 08:11

It is widely accepted that complications from flu can harm you and your baby. Hence the free flu jab for all pregnant women. I would take the tamiflu if it was me. Medical professionals wouldn't prescribe a drug to a pregnant woman without weighing up risk/benefit first

Gunpowder · 17/02/2015 08:13

I've had flu last three weeks, treated at home with paracetamol and lemon and honey as advised by 111. CacIt has been horrendous. I can't remember ever being so ill. I'm now being treated with ABs for pneumonia. Luckily not bad enough to be admitted but if I ever get flu in pregnancy again I will bite the hand that

Gunpowder · 17/02/2015 08:15

Sorry, posted too soon! I will bite off the hand that offers tamiflu!

And It rather than CacIt. Smile

Hope you feel better soon OP.

ISolemnlySwearImUptoNoGood · 17/02/2015 08:17

I was about 17 weeks in 2009 with my 3rd dc when I got swine flu. It wasn't a really severe case (although I felt like absolute shit!) but I was offered Tamiflu if I wanted to take something. I had terrible sickness and considered taking it when I twisted my gullet and started getting pains in my bump, but careful monitoring and a scan at the hospital confirmed that she was ok. I just rode it out in isolation with plenty of rest and all the usual remedies.

Original poster
mikado1 · 17/02/2015 08:30

Thanks everyone it's a tough one as I am anxious about doing everything 'right' during pregnancy and am worried on a normal day. The main reason I am slow to take tamiflu is because today, day2, I have no fever so far and only symptoms are a bunged up nose and fatigue-already improved from yesterday. If fever kept under control is flu still a risk to baby? I wouldn't take a lemsip so hate the thought of taking a prescription drug if I was safe to ride it out without. . Can flu get better before it gets worse? ?

OP posts:
EdithWeston · 17/02/2015 08:39

I'm not sure about the pattern of symptoms. Do you know which strain of flu you definitely have or your doctor suspects you have?

I am however pretty sure that a drug like Tamiflu needs to be taken early on, to stop the viral load (?) getting too high and thus averting dangerous symptoms. Waiting until you feel really ill is pretty much a guarantee it won't work very well.

BunnyFint · 17/02/2015 08:43

Read the Cochrane review on Tamiflu and its overegged efficacy, whilst flu is dangerous if you're in a high risk group, (pregnancy is classed as high risk) Tamiflu has been shown to not be as effective as first thought. If you're getting better then I would contact your GP and take their advice as to whether they feel you still need to take it and go from there. No medication is absolutely safe in pregnancy, but flu in pregnancy shouldn't be underestimated either.

BunnyFint · 17/02/2015 08:46

www.bmj.com/content/348/bmj.g2545

SummerHouse · 17/02/2015 09:06

I think it has to be taken in the early stages of flu to be effective. And helps by reducing the illness by a day or two.

You might find your symptoms come and go but peak at 2 to 3 days.

I don't think I would take it but its a really tricky one! Can you call someone for advice? Hope you get well soon. Flowers

penguinplease · 17/02/2015 09:12

I was pregnant also back in 2009 when swine flu was prevalent. I got flu, whether it was swine flu I don't know but tamiflu probably saved my and my little boys life. I was very very ill, I couldn't even lift my head , I think you have to make a judgement on how you feel. Good luck and get well soon

sparechange · 17/02/2015 09:18

There are proven links between flu and harm to unborn babies (and my aunt had flu at 10 weeks, her son was born blind and they told her the flu was the cause)
There is no proven link between tamiflu and harm to unborn babies

Therefore I would look at it as you are more likely to harm your baby by not taking it, than by taking it

anotherdayanothersquabble · 17/02/2015 09:22

Tamiflu info from Wikipedia.

Roonerspism · 17/02/2015 09:22

If you are on the mend and the worst is over then what gain is there in taking it?

bumbleymummy · 17/02/2015 09:28

I thought it had to be taken early too. If you're already feeling a bit better it would suggest you're coming out the other side of it so it wouldn't do much good anyway.

Original poster
mikado1 · 17/02/2015 10:53

Yes to be taken in first 48 hours, which I am still in. .waiting for gp to call..

OP posts:
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