LOS ANGELES, May 3, 2009
Can Taking Tamiflu Unnecessarily Hurt You?
CBS Evening News: Healthy Patients Taking Antiviral Drug Could Create Public Health Risk
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Play CBS Video Video Unnecessarily Taking Tamiflu There is concern among health officials that some Americans who are taking steps to avoid the flu by taking Tamiflu may actually be harming themselves and their loved ones. Hattie Kauffman reports.
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(CBS)
"We wanted to make sure our young ones are safe," said Beverly Thiagarajan, a concerned parent.
Doctors like Nicole Nourmand in Los Angeles said patients are asking about one thing.
"A lot of families are calling and asking for a prescription to Tamiflu even if their children are not sick because they want to have it just in case," Nourmand said.
The antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, are the only known treatments for H1N1, reports CBS News correspondent Hattie Kauffman.
The CDC said only patients who were exposed to the flu need medication. Dr. Martin Blaser, of New York University, said taking Tamiflu unnecessarily creates a public health danger.
"It's not a good idea to have it at home just in case because the more people who have it, the more people who use it, the sooner resistance will emerge," Blaser said.
But some who can't get the drugs from a doctor are turning to the Internet. Online Pharmacy Direct Response Marketing said sales of Tamiflu have spiked 800 percent in the last week. AccessRx reports a 62 percent increase in sales.
To buy Tamiflu in a pharmacy you need a prescription - online you may not. Kauffman's producer ordered Tamiflu with just a few clicks of a mouse and a $160 charge on a credit card. Kauffman and her producer just typed in we had fever and flu, checked the informed consent agreement saying they consulted a doctor.
An online doctor supposedly reviewed the case and CBS News purchase. But nobody called or even e-mailed with questions, Kauffman reports. A few days later, they had the drug in hand.
The CDC said other Web sites, are falsely claiming their medicines prevent H1N1. And reselling Tamiflu on sites like Craigslist is illegal.
Doctors say patients should be careful what they buy online, because like all medicines, Tamiflu and Relenza have potential side effects.
"The one I've experienced with patients is delirium so it's kind of scary to see your kid hallucinate," Normaund said. "If you're doing that for no reason other than paranoia it's silly."
That's why most doctors are refusing to prescribe the drugs unless a patient is sick.
©MMIX, CBS Interactive Inc.. All Rights Reserved.
Add a Comment See all 29 Comments
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- Our younger son's generation had to get the tuberculosis immunization TWICE because the (darling) Czech government helped a pharmaceutical company unload old vials.
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- Taking any drug when not necessary can hurt you...ever read the side effects on the packageing?
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- Most people do not realise that virtually all major drugs are derived from a natural plant extract. Tamiflu, the default drug to treat viruses, was developed from an extract of Chinese Star Anise, a traditional remedy for colds and flu. The natural version of this compound is available in a supplement form called biotivia bioflu, which also contains Elderberry extract and Siberian Ginseng, both of which reduce the severity of flu symptoms, but safely. Tamiflu has been associated with serious phychological effects including suicides and must carry a FDA Black Warning label. Bioflu has no such side effect and is totally non toxic and contains advanced antioxidants. When drug companies take safe, naturally occuring botanicals and synthesize them for profit the beneficial effects are often diluted, resistance to the disease being treated occurs quickly and new adverse effects appear.
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- lets watch all the stupid americans bailing out the pharmacy industry..... 800% !! wow man, this flu thing was the best thing that ever happened to the pharmacons.
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- Tamiflu = Poison
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Posted by gravypants at 7:53 PM : May 3, 2009
To gravypants:
You obviously have been "blessed"
______
I have been. 7 inches, flaccid.
Posted by gravypants at 7:56 PM : May 3, 2009
Well, if I was American, you'd have my vote. : ) - Reply to this comment
- Afterall, I am naive, and stupid...
hehe
Posted by gravypants at 7:48 PM : May 3, 2009
====================================
Finally, a straight forward admission of truth on your part!
For THAT, I will commend you! "buh, bye"! - Reply to this comment
- baileyccc wrote: "Tamiflu is a joke."
You are right! I was laughing so hard my belly hurt when I read the title of this article.
Tamiflu is the same treatment touted during the bird flu "crisis". (Can everybody say "Placebo"?)
Now, I know why this swine flu panic was created. The pharmaceutical companies must have stockpiles of Tamiflu from the failed bird flu "crisis", and the expiration date is rapidly approaching. They can't dump these outdated products on the former Communist-bloc countries (like previously done with superceded disk drives, etc.)
WAIT A MINUTE!!!
Our younger son's generation had to get the tuberculosis immunization TWICE because the (darling) Czech government helped a pharmaceutical company unload old vials.
Geez, handle the excess Tamiflu vials the same way.... - Reply to this comment
- You are a paranoid person. Sure, you've seen success in your bid to isolate yourself from society, and I can see some of your points.
But you are the Unibomber, waiting to happen.
Valla con Dios...
Or whatever invisible diety you bow to.
Posted by gravypants at 7:34 PM : May 3, 2009 --
I'm not a paranoid person.
I live a pretty happy life considering the circumstances and it's due to me being cautious about what 'herd people' like you say.
And it's not just the 70's, everyday we are paying the price for trusting what the mainstream media says.
Look at the bail outs of Goldman Sucks, they have trillions in exposure to worthless derivatives and credit-default swaps and yet we are going to bankrupt this nation trying to bail out that garbage.
Now if you can't see that ahead a time, then you prove my point that you are too naive and stupid. - Reply to this comment
- To gravypants:
You obviously have been "blessed" by some insight that at least a couple of us want no part of---but, if you're so sure of your stance(s). You should rush out tomorrow and GET YOURSELF INNOCULATED! After all, there's nothing to worry about, right?! But, I suspect that you spend a lot of time telling others to do, what you don't have the courage to do yourself! Correct! - Reply to this comment
- "Stupid is, as stupid does"
"Wilbur!"
Heard~Head~Heard~Head~Heard~Head
Posted by gravypants at 7:22 PM : May 3, 2009 --
You can laugh and jeer all you want but people like you are always 'surprised' when things happen to you.
It's because you are too naive, you believe everything you're taught in schools, you believe Wall Street, you believe 'Corporations know best'.
I say, if they do, then PROVE IT FIRST.
Don't make me one of their guinea pids.
Remember the 'authorities' told pregnant mothers to take 'phemaderlhyde' back in the 70's and their offspring were born with missing arms and legs?
Sorry, I don't trust anybody that's not related to me and even that depends on who it is. - Reply to this comment
- I have a brain, my own opinion, I rely on 'common sense' before I listen to the media and I'm smart enough to know a 'swindle' when I see one.
Posted by whitemale08 at 7:23 PM : May 3, 2009
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Once again, ABSOLUTELY! - Reply to this comment
- Posted by gravypants at 7:14 PM : May 3, 2009
---------------------------------------------------------------
You have this fondness to misinterpret others' comments, express YOUR views by trying to ascribe them to someone else, and then finish by ridiculing others and/or your misinterpretation of their views!
You know, buddy---if you spent more time studying, researching, and thinking; and then carefully articulated your results---you wouldn't have to childishly resort to frequent ridicule---you'd have something meaningful to say! Until that day---don't feel obligated to comment on my posts, especially since you don't understand them! Have a nice evening! - Reply to this comment
- As a result, you get comments from 'herd people' who are uncomfortable with the fact that you just don't "go along" with whatever is supposed to be the prevailing view---like them!
Well---there's no point being a 'dumb herd animal' like them! Not everyone can be dumbed down! Not everyone wants to be! Let them be happy, and you, too!
Posted by stn_sage at 7:18 PM : May 3, 2009 --
Exactly, it's amazing how everybody has been brainwashed to let the 'authorities' think for them.
I have a brain, my own opinion, I rely on 'common sense' before I listen to the media and I'm smart enough to know a 'swindle' when I see one. - Reply to this comment
- There are French people laughing at you, right now...FRENCH PEOPLE!!! "Sacre blu, I am eating my,"freedom fries",(actually holding up his fingers in quotes), and laughing at these Americans".
Posted by gravypants at 7:14 PM : May 3, 2009 --
Just like these same corporations want males to take 'forced vaccinations' against female cervicle cancer.
GIVE ME A BREAK!
You go right ahead and trust the 'authorities' for everything you do, be my guest. - Reply to this comment
- No, my understanding of what's really happening is what protects me.
Posted by whitemale08 at 7:05 PM : May 3, 2009
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ABSOLUTELY! In other words, you're a thinker. You use your head for more than just to rest upon your shoulders!
As a result, you get comments from 'herd people' who are uncomfortable with the fact that you just don't "go along" with whatever is supposed to be the prevailing view---like them!
Well---there's no point being a 'dumb herd animal' like them! Not everyone can be dumbed down! Not everyone wants to be! Let them be happy, and you, too! - Reply to this comment
