Q. How effective is Tamiflu against this H1N1 influenza bug? Are there any risks to taking this drug preventively?
I am thinking of asking my doctor for a prescription since I will soon have to take a couple of airplane trips. I do not want to come down with the flu because the person next to me is coughing in my face.
A. It highly unlikely that your doctor would be willing to write a prescription for Tamiflu for a healthy person. That’s because public health authorities are discouraging widespread use except for people at high risk of complications. That would be young children, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions and the elderly. People who need hospitalization or those who develop pneumonia from the flu should also get antiviral medicine.
That said, Tamiflu remains quite effective for preventing as well as treating the type of flu circulating this year. It has not developed resistance to the drug. Side effects include nausea and vomiting. The Japanese have reported psychological side effects (depression, delirium and suicidal thoughts), primarily in adolescents.
The People's Perspective on Medicine