Japan Warns Against Tamiflu for Teens

If you have a teen, think twice about giving Tamiflu.

That's the advice the Japanese health ministry is giving based on a number of bizarre cases in which adolescents given the flu medicine have had psychotic episodes, throwing themselves out of windows or into the path of speeding vehicles. According to a Reuters report, 16 teens have experienced the bizarre effects, and five have been killed from injuries sustained.

Roche, the drug's maker, claims that it is not the drug that invokes the odd behavior but the flu itself. Health officials have not been able to prove a definitive link -- but there is that strong, compelling anecdotal link of kids downing Tamiflu and doing themselves in. Many in Japan have criticized the ministry for not moving more quickly to recommend against the drug.

The warning is specifically for use of the drug with teens, not because children may not also be affected, but because teens are presumed to be harder to control when their behavior gets dangerous.

I've no experience with Tamiflu, but I've seen my son go completely haywire on cough medicine, so it seems possible that strong medications can have disastrous side effects. Of course, so can the flu, particularly with the dreaded bird flu fluttering on the horizon. Would you let these incidents in Japan keep you from giving your teen Tamiflu? Pick an answer in the poll at right, and share any bizarre medication complications your child has experienced in the comments.

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