Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful changes experienced by women in their lives. This is the time when the body undergoes changes that affect the immune system. It may be difficult to fight infection during this stage; hence, the risk of catching the flu is higher during this period.
Getting the flu is stressful, especially when you’re expecting. Illnesses can hit harder during these nine months. Once influenza symptoms appear, it is important to begin treatment as soon as possible to ensure good health for both the mother and fetus. Tamiflu is the first-line drug recommended for influenza prophylaxis and treatment. This article explains the role of Tamiflu while pregnant, what precautions you need to take, how to prevent flu during pregnancy, and more.
In This Article
- What Is Tamiflu?
- Can You Take Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) When Pregnant?
- Are There Any Side Effects of Tamiflu During Pregnancy?
- Precautions To Follow While Taking Tamiflu
- Ways To Prevent A Flu Infection During Pregnancy
- FAQ’s
What Is Tamiflu?
Tamiflu® is a brand name for oseltamivir. It is available in capsule form and oral suspension. It is used to prevent and treat infections like flu (influenza). This drug is a selective inhibitor of the neuraminidase glycoprotein, which helps the virus replicate and infect other cells. Tamiflu inhibits this enzyme, limiting the ability of the virus to proliferate and damage other cells.[1] Oral oseltamivir is well absorbed, with 80% bioavailability. After 2-4 hours, peak plasma concentrations are achieved.[2]
Can You Take Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) When Pregnant?
Tamiflu is safe during pregnancy and is recommended for pregnant women. There is a risk of influenza during pregnancy. Once symptoms of influenza appear, it is important to begin treatment as soon as possible. Oseltamivir has the potential to mitigate the risk associated with influenza. Tamiflu is the first-line drug recommended for influenza prophylaxis and treatment. The antiviral treatment duration with oseltamivir is five days.
A study found that the use of oseltamivir in pregnant and postpartum (after delivery) women resulted in a decrease in severe outcomes without any increased risk of negative consequences for the mother, developing fetus, or newborn. [3, 4]. On January 7, 2024, as mentioned on the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention website, the CDC recommended four FDA-approved antiviral drugs to treat flu illness this season, including oseltamivir phosphate for oral administration (available as a generic or under the trade name Tamiflu).
Are There Any Side Effects of Tamiflu During Pregnancy?
Tamiflu slows the spread of the virus in the body and reduces the duration of the symptoms. Oseltamivir can ease flu symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, runny nose, cough, headache, muscle pain, and joint pain . Every medicine has some side effects, and the same goes for Tamiflu. Some of the common side effects of Tamiflu during pregnancy are:
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
If you experience skin rashes, facial swelling, breathing problems, etc, immediately contact your healthcare provider.
Precautions To Follow While Taking Tamiflu
Prevention can save us from many health problems. A woman can experience a healthy pregnancy by following simple preventive strategies. To avoid getting the flu, one must be more cautious in the winter. A pregnant woman should focus on the following practices to protect herself and her fetus from the flu:
- Consult a doctor and share your complete medical history before taking Tamiflu.
- Don’t skip a dose and avoid taking double or extra doses.[5]
- Don’t take Tamiflu on an empty stomach.
- Don’t stop the medicine even if flu symptoms have gone. Always complete the medicine course.
- Keep yourself hydrated.
- Take the flu vaccination on time.
Ways To Prevent A Flu Infection During Pregnancy
Winter brings a lot of health challenges when you’re pregnant. Here are the tips for staying fit and safe from the flu during flu season—the risk of getting the flu starts in late fall and peaks during winter. Let us find out some of the easiest tips to prevent the flu during pregnancy.
1. Prevention is Better Than Cure. Be Cautious
You have to be so cautious to prevent influenza during pregnancy. Touching contaminated surfaces can infect you with the flu so you should disinfect your house carefully.If you have a sore throat, gargle with warm salt water.
2. Be Vaccinated
Get flu shots, especially during pregnancy, when you are at high risk of catching the flu. Antibodies developed from a flu shot pass through the placenta and protect the fetus. This explains how important flu vaccination is when you are pregnant. Do not worry; you can get the flu vaccine at any stage of pregnancy. According to the CDC, flu vaccination reduces the risk of hospitalization due to flu by 40% [6].
3. Maintain Good Hygiene
Regularly wash your hands with soap and water, especially before eating food. If handwashing is not possible, use sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol. Wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds. Whenever you travel, carry wipes, sanitizers, etc. in your pocket or handbag. Do not share food, utensils, and drinks, and drink clean water.
4. Follow Healthy Habits
Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. While sneezing or coughing, cover your mouth and nose. Throw the used tissue in the dustbin and wash your hands. Trim your nails.
6. Follow a Healthy Lifestyle
Take enough rest so sleep for 7-8 hours. Eat a nutritious diet and avoid eating raw food. Exercise daily and be physically active. Your doctor may recommend supplements for general health.
If you are experiencing flu symptoms while pregnant, visit your doctor, get tested, and start medication as soon as possible. Doctors typically prescribe safe antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu, to reduce the duration of the flu and minimize the risk of developing complications. Tamiflu while pregnant is safe, so mothers don’t have to worry about the health of the fetus while taking this medicine. This article provides important information on the flu and taking Tamiflu while pregnant. However, make sure to follow the instructions given by the doctor and take medicine only after the doctor’s consultation. Every case is different and demands different treatment plans.
FAQ’s
1. Can Tamiflu Cause Preterm Labor?
According to studies, Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is not associated with the risk of preterm birth or other complications like congenital malformation.
2. Does Tamiflu Affect Placenta?
According to the available scientific evidence, tamiflu crosses the placenta. Significant drug levels have been detected in cord blood, which shows that oseltamivir crosses the placenta.
Reference:
-
- Oseltamivir: a review of its use in influenza
[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11270942/] - Oseltamivir for influenza in pregnancy
[Oseltamivir for influenza in pregnancy – PMC (nih.gov)] - Clinical Effectiveness and Safety of Antivirals for Influenza in Pregnancy – [https://academic.oup.com/ofid/article/8/6/ofab138/6179259]
- Oseltamivir in pregnancy and birth outcomes
[https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-018-3423-z] - Oseltamivir Capsules
[https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/18630-oseltamivir-capsules] - Influenza (Seasonal)
[https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal)]
- Oseltamivir: a review of its use in influenza
