Tamiflu 'safe for children' despite latest findings

Research last week showed that Tamiflu reduced the length of flu in adults by just half a day. Photo / Greg Bowker

New Zealand's health authorities say the antiviral drug Tamiflu is still safe to give to children to fight swine flu, despite British researchers warning it can do more harm than good.

Oxford University researchers have called for British health authorities to reconsider their policy of giving Tamiflu and a similar drug, Relenza, to otherwise healthy children who show symptoms because the drugs only reduced the length of time they were ill with flu by about one day, and could cause vomiting as a common side effect.

Vomiting is more dangerous in children than adults because it can rapidly lead to dehydration and admission to hospital. The researchers said although the studies were carried out on seasonal influenza, the findings are relevant to swine flu.

Dr Matthew Thompson, a GP and senior clinical scientist at Oxford University, said: "Reserving these antiviral drugs for children who are more likely to have complications may be a more sensible strategy and would take some of the pressure off the public demand for anti-virals".

The call comes after research last week showed that Tamiflu reduced the length of flu in adults by just half a day.

Dr Mark Jacobs, the director of public health for New Zealand's Ministry of Health, said the available data showed that Tamiflu and Relenza were "acceptably safe" for use in children when used according to recommendations.

The Ministry of Health guidelines to prescribers recommend the use of Tamiflu or Relenza for children with complications of swine flu that lead to hospital admission, and for children at higher risk of complications of influenza.

The drugs were more effective against swine flu than seasonal influenza, but most children who got swine flu would not need to take them and were expected to get better with treatment for symptoms only.

"In each case a doctor would weigh the expected benefits of treatment against its known risks before deciding to prescribe any medicine," Dr Jacobs said.

"The adverse effect of vomiting is a well known effect of Tamiflu and happens in up to 20 per cent of children given Tamiflu. Clinical trials comparing Tamiflu to placebo found that approximately 10 per cent of children given a placebo also vomited."

Meanwhile, the number of people reporting to GPs and hospitals with influenza-like illnesses continues to fall, but Health Minister Tony Ryall is urging people to remain vigilant and to take steps to stop the spread of germs.

"Now is not the time to let down our guard. It is important that people continue to do the things that have helped keep them healthy during this pandemic: stay at home if you are sick, wash and dry your hands often and cover coughs and sneezes," Mr Ryall said.

As at midday yesterday, 41 people were reported to be in hospital with swine flu or its complications, including 15 in intensive care. There were 2984 confirmed cases of swine flu, up from 2959 the previous day.

The actual number of cases will be significantly higher, as only a small proportion of people with symptoms are being tested. This is because, for most people, swine flu is proving only a mild illness.

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