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Pregnant Women, Babies Should Avoid Tamiflu: Doctors

Posted on: Thursday, 15 December 2005, 09:00 CST

Pregnant women, babies should avoid Tamiflu: doctors

SINGAPORE, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Doctors in Singapore advised pregnant women and babies under one year against using Tamiflu, an anti-flu drug, Channel NewsAsia said on Wednesday.

They were quoted as saying that Tamiflu thins the blood and may have side effects on infants such as stomach ache, nosebleed, as well as ear and eye infections.

Believing that improper use of Tamiflu could do damage to people's immune system, doctors said that pregnant women should avoid using the drug because it has not been tested on them.

It has not been proved that Tamiflu may cause hallucinations though two Japanese young people were reported to have attempted suicide after taking the drug, the report said.

Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said last month that Singapore is watching the safety of Tamiflu carefully and in consultation with the US Food and Drug Administration.

Two adverse reports involving vomiting and nausea after using Tamiflu have been received in Singapore, according to the minister.

Tamiflu, invented by the US company Gilead and licensed to Roche in 1996, has proven effective against influenza A and B and H5N1 bird flu virus, which is threatening the world.

Source: Xinhua News Agency - CEIS

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