Thread by @Drug_Evidence

THREAD: Evidence for oseltamivir for #influenza prevention

1/6 Not much #flu last year, yet almost 14,000 BC residents were prescribed #oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for prevention

✅Flu guidelines bit.ly/3wwGJei

✅Systematic review of Tamiflu safety pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27246259

2/6 #Oseltamivir for prevention reduces ↘️ symptomatic influenza by 3%, (NNT=33) with an uncertain effect on asymptomatic #influenza

It likely has a central symptom reducing effect but may not reduce viral transmission
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27246259

#Tamiflu #prescribing

3/6 #Oseltamivir won’t reduce the risk of developing influenza-like illness though it can make people feel better (i.e. fewer symptoms) and reduces ↘️ fever

There is not enough evidence to say it prevents death, hospitalizations, or flu complications
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27246259

4/6 #Oseltamivir increases ↗️ risk of harm when used for #flu prevention

It increases ↗️ risk of nausea & headache (Number Needed to Harm: 20-25)

Increased psychiatric harms (NNH 94) include confusion, depression, and aggression pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27246259/

#influenza #Tamiflu

5/6 #Oseltamivir’s product monograph states: “Patients with #influenza should be closely monitored for signs of abnormal behaviour.”

If a patient develops psychiatric harm, investigate if it started soon after starting #Tamiflu

👉🏽bit.ly/2YxAZEP

#medsafety

6/6 #Oseltamivir is a “Safety net with many holes”

👉🏽 Watch this Tamiflu for influenza presentation by @amtejani: bit.ly/3H7kuRf

#medsafety #influenza #flu #Tamiflu