A growing number of parents have reported their children have had bizarre side effects after taking Tamiflu, including hallucinations and bizarre behavior.
One family is now blaming their teen's suicide on the drug.
Tamiflu is often the go-to prescription for doctors when patients show signs of the flu.
St. Vincent’s Dr. Allen Todd said that’s because it’s extremely effective.
“It’s pretty benign, doesn’t have a lot of side effects and it’s supposed to lessen the duration of the flu by a day or two,” Todd said.
However, he does note that some patients can experience discomfort when taking the medicine.
“The two most common side effects of Tamiflu are headache or abdominal pain or vomiting, which you can get with the flu anyway, otherwise it’s a pretty safe medicine,” Todd said.
Parents in Indiana said the medicine wasn’t safe for their 15-year-old boy, who they claim committed suicide after taking Tamiflu.
Some local parents were shocked to hear that report.
“I’ve never heard of someone taking their life from taking medicine like that no,” Jason Kowalski said.
“I think it’s terrible but I didn’t actually hear about that,” Courtney Malone said.
Action News Jax checked the Tamiflu website and it said children or teens with the flu are at an increased risk of confusion or abnormal behavior.
Todd said he’s never heard of such an extreme case like the one in Indiana.
Regardless, he said, parents need to monitor their kids.
“As with any illness you should keep a close eye on anyone that has it,” Todd said.
Tamiflu declined to comment on the case in Indiana but a spokesperson sent Action News Jax the following statement: