Yes. Not only does it lower your temperature, it controls all the symptoms of H1N1.
No. This treatment for the flu contains no ingredients that can give you the flu or any other infectious disease.
In short - yes, but some explanation is warranted.
In the way the question is worded, the asker is either currently on tamiflu, or has taken tamiflu in the past but is no longer currently taking it. If the asker has taken tamiflu in the past but is not currently taking it, it won't serve to prevent them from becoming infected with the novel h1n1 (or any other flu virus they haven't established immunity to.
Antivirals function somewhat similarly to antibiotics - they acts to inhibit the pathogen from successfully completing its reproductive life-cycle. The difference with oseltamivir and zanamivir (aka Tamiflu and Relenza) is that they bind specifically to the active sites in certain types of flu virus. Neither one will act as any sort of 'immunization' to prevent future infections. It simply limits the virus from making more of itself once you have contracted it.
If one is currently taking the drug, it may prevent contraction from becoming a full-blown infection, or limit the severity, but it won't cause the body to recognize the virus any faster, it just gives the immune system more time to respond.
In one recent study published in Japan (where Tamiflu is widely used), they did have at least one case of H1N1 flu in someone who was taking the drug as a prophylactic (preventative) measure. However, they note that those taking Tamiflu in close contact with confirmed cases of the flu did not develop severe illnesss.
Here is a link to a pdf of the study for further reading:
http://www.eurosurveillance.org/images/dynamic/EE/V14N35/art19320.pdf
Regards,
Perry Arellano-Jones
There is no manufacturer-listed drug incompatibility between these two medicines, and the combination is often recommended by physicians.
Yes a dentist can write a prescription for antibiotics when they are necessary within the scope of his/her practice. Generally a dentist will prescribe painkillers after an oral operation such as a wisdom tooth extraction. If the gums were to becomw infected for example, the dentist could prescribe a therapeutic amount of amoxil, azithromycin, and etc.
It will be more effective if started within the first 40 hours of the symptoms, however, in some cases, it is given later to hopefully shorten the duration or lessen the symptoms in high risk cases. It may be helpful and, in most places, there is currently no shortage of the supply of this kind of medication, so you should contact a health care professional even if it is past the first two days to see if it may still be of benefit to try the drug.
I can only tell you what happened to me. In May of 2009 I had an upper respiratory infection including severe laryngitis. My Dr prescribed Tamiflu. Note that at this point in time the world was going through the Asian Swine flu scare. I took it for 3 or 4 days without incident. After this initial period, I called my Dr to tell him that I was coughing up green phlegm. I had always been under the assumption that green phlegm was a sign of a bacterial infection. My Dr apparently agreed with that assessment, because he ADDED Augmentin 875 mg to my medications. Please note, I had taken Augmentin many times over many years with no problem.
Within a day, I experienced a SEVERE reaction. Both of my hands swelled up, and were rendered unusable. The pain was excruciating. The first thumb joint where the thumb connects to the hand was the center of the pain. I could not button my shirt, hold a pen, turn a key, open a door, etc. The pharmacist wisely advised me to stop taking both medications immediately, which I did. The pain lasted for over a week. Actually as I recall, the pain took almost a month to entirely go away.
After the the first 4 days I did go toI went to another Dr- an ENT specialist who prescribed a cortisone type drug in a gradually descending dose pack that I don't recall the name of- something like methyl- pred- something or other, but it cured me in short order. In short, Tamiflu plus Augmentin was NOT ok for me.
Tamiflu used as a prophylactic (preventive) measure for the flu is usually prescribed for ten days following the last known or suspected exposure to the virus. If it is being used to treat an already infected person to lesson the severity of symptoms and shorten the duration of the flu symptoms, it is usually prescribed for a period of five days.
It does not provide long term protection from the flu. Only an immunization (vaccine) can do that.
Yes, there is no problem in taking those two drugs together. You should; however, talk to your doctor before ever taking any drugs together.
You should always contact the ordering doctor or the pharmacist who filled your prescription whenever you are taking a new medication and you get a rash. It is advised that people should stop the medicine until they can speak to the medical or pharmaceutical professionals in case it is an allergic reaction to the medicine. Sometimes the A-H1N1/09 pandemic swine flu has caused rashes as a symptom, but since it could be the new medicine, better safe than sorry.
Roche Holding AG is the parent company of F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd. maker of the antiviral medication brand named Tamiflu.
Lupus patients should always discuss over the counter medications, herbs, and supplements with their rheumatologists because of the danger of worsening lupus activity or negative interactions with medication. That said, Advil is a NSAID or Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug which is often used to relieve inflammation and the pain it causes. The PM part is likewise not likely to cause problems. But ask the doctor because it is the doctor who will know what is safe for you.
Many people can unless they have a severe sulfa drug allergy. Allergic reactions to the flu vaccines are very rare.
The amount of antibacterial agents left in flu vaccines from their being treated to prevent bacterial growth are only traces. Although, it is best to check with your doctor before getting a flu vaccination if you have a severe allergy to sulfonamides.
Some types of vaccines may be better than others for you. See the ingredient lists below. After speaking with your allergist or physician, if you still have any concerns, the clinician who will be giving you the injection can tell you if there is any potential problem from the vaccine they will be using, and they will not give it if there is any issue. You may want to call around after speaking to your doctor to find a location that has the brands of vaccines that do not contain sulfonamides. If you are getting the vaccination from your family doctor, just be sure to remind them of your allergy before they give it and they can monitor your reaction to the medication for a period after the vaccination to be sure there will be no need for treatment of a reaction. If you have a severe allergic reaction to sulfa drugs, then you should not take those vaccines containing sulfonamides.
The sulfonamide antibiotics used in the preparation of the flu vaccines are typically neomycin sulfate, gentamicin sulfate, and polymyxin. Two of the vaccines are available without these drugs: Fluzone and Flulaval.
The ingredients of each type of flu vaccine currently available in the US for the 2012 - 2013 flu season are:
Flulaval:
Thimerosal, α-tocopheryl hydrogen succinate, polysorbate 80, formaldehyde, sodium deoxycholate, ovalbumin
Fluzone: Standard, High-Dose, & Intradermal:
Formaldehyde, octylphenol ethoxylate (Triton X-100), sodium phosphate, gelatin (standard formulation only), thimerosal (multi-dose vial only) , egg protein
Afluria:
Beta-propiolactone, thimerosol (multi-dose vials only), monobasic sodium phosphate, dibasic sodium phosphate, monobasic potassium phosphate, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium taurodeoxycholate, neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B, egg protein
Fluarix:
Sodium deoxycholate, formaldehyde, octoxynol-10 (Triton X-100), α-tocopheryl hydrogen succinate, polysorbate 80 (Tween 80), hydrocortisone, gentamicin sulfate, ovalbumin
Fluvirin:
Nonylphenol ethoxylate, thimerosal (multidose vial-trace only in prefilled syringe), polymyxin, neomycin, beta-propiolactone, egg proteins
FluMist:
Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), monosodium glutamate, hydrolyzed porcine gelatin, arginine, sucrose, dibasic potassium phosphate, monobasic potassium phosphate, gentamicin sulfate, egg protein
See the related question below about flu vaccines and egg allergies.
http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_pdr.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcnszSzcontentzSzpdrotczSzotc_fullzSzdrugszSzfgotc331zPzhtm
I just ran into this same question myself, and I believe your answer is on the bottom of this site... basically says 'Do not take theraflu with Valium or Xanax until you talk to your doctor. Combination could cause extreme drowsiness'.
No, it is a prescription-only drug that is only given in case of confirmed influenza.
You can only get it from your doctor, It is not an over the counter drug.
The most expensive prescription medication available currently is Idursulfase, the recombinant form of the human lysosomal enzyme, iduronate-2-sulfatase. It is approved for use as enzyme replacement therapy in patients with Hunter syndrome(Mucopolysaccharidosis II, MPS II). Currently, the only commecial available Idursulfase goes under the trade name, Elaprase™, created via recombinant DNA technology in a human cell line by the company Shire Human Genetics Therapies, Inc.
It is dosed in 6 mg vial for intravenous administration. The recommended dose is 0.5 mg/kg every week by intravenous infusion over one to three hours. Idursulfase costs $4,215 for a 6 mg vial and the cost for treatment of a 35 kg patient is $657,000 per year.
Due to its high cost and inconsistent results, however, the Canadian Expert Drug Advisory Committee (CEDAC) recommends that Idursulfase not be listed as plausible therapy (covered under universal health care), however it is available in the U.S. if the patient is able to pay for it.
You shouldnt take antibiotics for a flu infection.
Antibiotics only work against infections caused by bacteria, fungi and some parasites. They don't work against any infections caused by viruses. Viruses cause colds, the flu and most coughs and sore throats.