By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-863345.mp3
Dallas, TX –
As flu cases increase, demand for Tamiflu has pharmacists making their own - so to speak. KERA's BJ Austin says the children's "liquid" doses are in short supply.
The H1N1 flu virus has hit the younger, school age population hard, and demand for Tamiflu is growing. The drug lessens the severity of flu symptoms. Dr. Christie Columbus, infectious diseases at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, says there are plenty of adult-strength Tamiflu pills available, but pharmacists are now making their own children's doses.
Columbus: There are pharmacies that will compound a pediatric suspension from the Tamiflu capsules. That means they will take the capsule and dilute it down to where it is the appropriate strength.
The correct dose is determined by the child's weight. At Dougherty's Pharmacy in North Dallas, a spokesman says pharmacists are now making all their children's Tamiflu doses -- adding the appropriate strength to a flavored liquid.
Dr. Columbus says Tamiflu works best if taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. But it is not prescribed for everyone. She says the Centers of Disease Control has specific criteria for Tamiflu.
Columbus: if they're in the hospital; pregnant women; children under the age of two; if they're over 65; patients who have chronic illnesses; cardiac disease, pulmonary disease, including mild asthma.
14 year old Chloe Lindsey of Fort Worth did not get a prescription for Tamiflu from her doctor. Her father says the doctor declined to prescribe it because Chloe was not in the high risk group identified by the CDC. He says Chloe later developed high fever and respiratory distress. She became Tarrant County's first H1N1 flu death.
Dr. Columbus says the CDC makes it clear it wants the local doctor to decide if a patient gets Tamiflu.
Columbus: In severe illness it's likely a physician will give Tamiflu regardless of whether it's within the 48 hours. It should lessen the symptoms, the duration of the symptoms.
Dr. Columbus says Tamiflu is not a magic pill to cure or protect against flu, but it helps. And she says pharmacists are overcoming the children's shortages to ensure patients who need it can get it. But, Dr. Columbus cautions against overuse. She says resistance to the flu-drug could develop, and that's not something health officials want to see.