Tamiflu And Pregnancy - Can I Take Tamiflu During Pregnancy?

Tamiflu is a medicine that is to be taken when you are infected by the influenza virus. Now that I have covered what Tamiflu is briefly I will go into the details and then give you a study on the effects of Tamiflu when you are pregnant and lactating because this too is an important part of pregnancy.

How Tamiflu treats the Flu

The main ingredient of the Tamiflu medicine is the Oseltamivir phosphate. This medicine belongs among a group of medications which is called the neuraminidase inhibitors. The medicine acts in this way; it attacks the influenza virus in the body and stops it from spreading inside the body. This is a great cure. You will feel the symptoms reducing within a span of two days. Most other medications for flu go for the symptoms and try to cure the symptoms or mask them. So you can simply say that Tamiflu treats the flu at the source of the infection.

Tamiflu Dosage

For knowing its effects on pregnancy one should know the dosage of the capsule. Each capsule of the medication contains seventy five milligrams of the active drug. The capsule is a grey and light yellow capsule. For persons afflicted by the flu, they re supposed to take two capsules orally; one capsule in the morning and one in the evening. For people who have been exposed to the influenza virus and they who are taking this medicine as a preventive measure against the flu should take only one seventy five milligrams capsule in a day. In the earlier case the person is prescribed this medicine for a period of five days and in the second case for a period of seven days. So this is the approximate dosage of what a pregnant lady will have if she is faced with the consequences of taking Tamiflu.

Studies conducted on the medication for pregnancy

Now I will be discussing the studies conducted on the medication for pregnancy. The FDA has categorized this drug under the medical category "C". The data collected is insufficient to give a clear picture on the effects of Tamiflu on pregnant women and her developing fetus. As there was no human specimens in the tests initial tests were conducted on rats. Then in a later stage we switched over to rabbits. The pregnant rats were given Tamiflu in different proportions. They were administered dosages of fifty, two hundred and fifty and one thousand five hundred milligrams for per kilogram per day. The rabbits were given fifty, one hundred and fifty and five hundred milligrams for every kilogram per day. Both these animals were given the medication by the oral route. The relative exposure rates were accounted for. In a rat the exposure for these doses was two, thirteen and a hundred times. In the case of the rabbit it was four, eight and a fifty times. Pharmacokinetic study showed that fetal exposure was there in both the cases. In the case of the rats, the maternal toxicity was minimal that too in the one thousand five hundred milligram per kilogram per day group. The rabbit showed slight maternal toxicities. Skeletal abnormalities were observed in the cases where the doses were increased. However the abnormality remained in the background.

The studies came to the conclusion as such, "Tamiflu should be prescribed to a pregnant woman only if the case justifies the potential benefit of the fetus."

A similar study was conducted on rats and rabbits for the effects of Tamiflu in lactating mothers. It was observed that Oseltamivir and Oseltamivir carboxylate are given out in the milk. A similar human study could not be conducted due to the lack of lactating mothers infected by the flu who are willing to contribute towards experimentation.

Anyway the conclusion drawn is also the same as that drawn for the pregnancy test. It was again cited "Tamiflu should be prescribed to a pregnant woman only if the case justifies the potential benefit of the foetus."

By Ian Mason

How to Make an Onion Poultice For Congestion and Cold and Flu Symptoms

Did you know that onion poultices have always been used to relieve chest congestion? Onions have a long history for their healing benefits. A poultice is simply the mashed herb secured in some fabric and placed over the area of congestion on the body. The skin absorbs the medicinal properties quickly and more easily than through digestion.

Onion poultices are time tested herbal remedies and treatments for chest congestion and other symptoms of colds and flu. A poultice is simple and easy to make. The onion poultice is a powerful home remedy you can use for your whole family. And, onions are readily available and affordable!

How to Make an Onion Poultice:

Chop an onion into small bits. Let it set for a few minutes to draw out the powerful medicinal properties. The onion can be used raw or it can be sautéed gently. Put the chopped onion in the center of a square of fabric. You can use flannel, an old t-shirt or a pillowcase. Fold the fabric over and roll or fold the edges to make a 'hem'. Secure the edges with safety pins to keep the onion bits from falling out.

Place the poultice on the patient's chest or soles of the feet. The sole of the foot quickly absorbs herbal treatments, in fact, some people rub ointments like Vick's on the feet when they are sick. You can also place the poultice on sore joints and behind the ear for an ear infection. Check your patient every 15-30 minutes to make sure that there's not any skin irritation.

By Shanna Ohmes

Treat Your Cough the Natural Way

With the summer gone and winter on our doorstep I thought it might be appropriate to discuss a medical condition that comes with the change of seasons. As the wintery months approach the change of seasons can bring along the grim possibility of infection from bacteria and viruses. The worst culprit is catching a cold or flu and neither of them is any fun.

In this article I would like to discuss the symptom most common with a cold-the cough. Coughing distracts you from your work, spreads germs, and puts stress on your body. Since coughing is caused by various conditions, many patients simply opt to ride it out and not seek treatment. When it comes to coughing, however, there is no reason to suffer. There are many natural, effective remedies that can alleviate coughing or speed your recovery.

Two Kinds of Cough

Coughing isn't always a bad thing. In fact, it can be highly beneficial. Coughing may be your body's natural defense mechanism against infection. Fortunately, it is easy to figure out whether your cough is beneficial or not.

If your chest is congested, coughing is your body's way of fighting respiratory disease by purging the mucous or phlegm from your chest. Your cough will likely persist until your infection goes away. Signs of respiratory infection include wheezing and a temperature over 101 degrees. In most cases, you should see your doctor to treat the infection. In the meantime, natural remedies can soothe irritation and help you recover more quickly.

If no mucous is present, you have a dry cough. This type of cough is likely due to allergies or asthma and serves no beneficial purpose to your body. Exposure to irritants like dust, mold, pets, grass, pollen or chemicals are probably to blame for your cough. Sometimes the cough is an indication of mild asthma. If you have a persistent cough and cannot determine a specific irritant, your doctor may be able to help with proper diagnosis.

Resolving Coughs Naturally

Many natural and folk remedies exist for coughing. One of the first treatments people turn to are herbs. For congestion, the herb horehound acts as a natural expectorant, helping to alleviate congestion. You may find it in tea bags at natural foods stores.

Other herbs suppress the cough reflex by encouraging saliva production, causing you to swallow less frequently. Commercial cough drops often contain the oils from these herbs. They include peppermint, eucalyptus, anise and fennel. Try taking them as teas. Slippery elm, found as a tea or lozenge, discourages the cough reflex in another manner--by forming a protective layer around the mucous membranes of the throat.

An easy steam treatment is also a good way to not only soothe the throat, but loosen chest congestion. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then remove it from the heat. Hold your face over the steaming water and cover your head with a towel to trap the moisture. Inhale for as long as 30 minutes.

Acupressure can relive tension in the chest caused by coughing. Homeopathy is another alternative treatment that many patients turn to. To try these methods, find a practitioner in your area.

Some easy to find natural products can also soothe coughing. Aloe vera juice mixed with equal parts honey can soothe a dry cough. Apple cider vinegar is an excellent way to manage that "tickling" feeling that is so often present in the throat when you suffer from a cough. Add about 2 teaspoons to a glass of water and sip as needed. Minced garlic marinated overnight in honey also soothes coughs. Garlic is known to be high in powerful antioxidants.

These remedies and many variations on them have been used for generations to fight coughs. No matter which one you choose, take note of its effect on your symptoms until you find the right combination of natural treatments that work for you. If you suspect an infection, see your doctor. If your cough persists, a medical opinion may be needed. With proper natural care, you will be back to feeling healthy in no time.

By Mark Rosenberg, M.D.