Tamiflu is a medicine that is designed to treat the influenza virus. It can be taken either preventatively, if you are exposed to the virus, or after you have contracted the virus. Tamiflu works by inhibiting the replication of the influenza virus, which can help to shorten the duration and severity of the illness. Tamiflu is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and can protect them from the virus.
How Tamiflu treats the Flu
The active ingredient in Tamiflu is oseltamivir phosphate, which is part of a class of drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors. These drugs work by attacking the influenza virus in the body and preventing it from spreading. This can provide significant relief from symptoms within just a few days. Most other medications for flu only address symptoms, either trying to cure them or masking them. So Tamiflu provides a much more effective solution.
Tamiflu Dosage
The dosage of the flu medication is important to know, as it can have different effects on pregnancy. Each capsule of the medication contains seventy-five grams of the active drug. The capsule is a gray and light yellow capsule. For persons afflicted by the flu, they are supposed to take two capsules orally; one capsule in the morning and one in the evening. If you have been exposed to the flu virus and are taking this medicine to prevent getting sick, take one capsule per day.
Studies conducted on the medication for pregnancy
The FDA has categorized Tamiflu as a medical category “C” drug. This means that there is not enough evidence to show whether or not it is safe for pregnant women to take. The data that has been collected is insufficient to give a clear picture of the effects of Tamiflu on pregnant women and their developing fetus. The initial tests were conducted on rats, and then later on rabbits.
The pregnant rats were given different proportions of Tamiflu. They were administered dosages of 50, 200, and 250 milligrams per kilogram per day. The rabbits were given dosages of 50, 150, and 500 milligrams for every kilogram per day. Both animals were given the medication orally. The relative exposure rates were accounted for.
In rats, exposure to these doses was two, thirteen, and a hundred times, respectively. A pharmacokinetic study showed that fetal exposure was present in both cases. In the case of the rats, the maternal toxicity was minimal, occurring only in the one thousand five hundred milligram per kilogram per day group. Skeletal abnormalities were observed when the doses were increased; however, the rabbit showed only slight maternal toxicities.
The studies concluded that Tamiflu should only be prescribed to a pregnant woman if the potential benefit to the fetus justifies the risk.
A study was conducted on rats and rabbits to observe the effects of Tamiflu in lactating mothers. It was observed that Oseltamivir and Oseltamivir carboxylate are given out in the milk. A human study couldn’t be done because there weren’t enough lactating mothers infected with the flu who were willing to participate in the experiment. This lack of data hampers our understanding of the potential effects of Tamiflu on lactating mothers and their children.
To conclude, the verdict is the same for the pregnancy test. It was once again stated that “Tamiflu should be prescribed to a pregnant woman only if the case justifies the potential benefit of the fetus.”
