Doctors in Singapore advised pregnant women and babies under one year
old against using Tamiflu, ananti-flu drug, Channel News Asia 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.