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Tamiflu - oseltamivir is an antiviral drug that can be used to treat influenza infections in children and adults, if their symptoms have started within the last day or two before starting to take Tamiflu. Tamiflu can also be used to prevent the flu in children, teenagers and adults that have been exposed to the influenza virus.
Pregnancy should not be considered as a contraindication to Tamiflu use. Pregnant women might be at higher risk for severe complications from new influenza A virus (H1N1). The benefits of treatment or chemoprophylaxis with Tamiflu likely outweigh the theoretical risks of antiviral use. Oseltamivir is pregnancy category C medicine, indicating that no clinical studies have been conducted to assess the safety of Tamiflu for pregnant women. Because of the unknown effects of influenza antiviral medications on pregnant women and their fetuses, oseltamivir should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Although a few adverse effects have been reported in pregnant women who took Tamiflu, no relation between the use of oseltamivir and those adverse events has been established. Because of its systemic activity, oseltamivir is preferred for treatment of pregnant women. Tamiflu as the drug of choice is less clear for prophylaxis. Zanamivir may be prefered because of its limited systemic absorption. However, respiratory complications may be associated with zanamivir because of its inhaled administration, especially in pregnant women at risk for respiratory problems.
Doctors are recommending that Tamiflu should be given to pregnant women at the first signs of illness. In order to be effective, Tamiflu must be given within the first 48 hours of the illness. Tamiflu will not stop the illness from occurring. It may shorten the duration of the illness, that is estimated to shorten it by 1 day and the severity of the illness, which is a concern especially for pregnant women who have underlying disease such as asthma. It is recommended to take Tamiflu for a total of 5 days for pregnant women who have suspected or confirmed cases of swine flu.
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