Tamiflu effective for preventing, treating flu

Q: How effective is Tamiflu against this H1N1 influenza bug? Are there any risks to taking this drug preventively?

I am thinking of asking my doctor for a prescription since I will soon have to take a couple of airplane trips. I do not want to come down with the flu because the person next to me is coughing in my face.

A: It highly unlikely that your doctor would be willing to write a prescription for Tamiflu for a healthy person. That's because public health authorities are discouraging widespread use except for people at high risk of complications. That would be young children, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions and the elderly. People who need hospitalization or those who develop pneumonia from the flu should also get antiviral medicine.

That said, Tamiflu remains quite effective for preventing as well as treating the type of flu circulating this year. It has not yet developed resistance to the drug. Side effects include nausea and vomiting. The Japanese have reported psychological side effects (depression, delirium and suicidal thoughts), primarily in adolescents.

Q: I've stumbled on a cure for nighttime leg cramps. After suffering for eight years and trying every remedy, six weeks ago I was prescribed colchicine for arthritis. It didn't help with the arthritis, but it cured my leg cramps. I am ecstatic!

A: Colchicine is a really old medication. It was discovered in 1820 and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration a century ago to treat the inflammation and pain associated with an acute gout attack. The agency has not approved colchicine for either arthritis or leg cramps and discourages off-label use.

Side effects may include diarrhea, stomachache, nausea, vomiting and sore throat. There are potentially serious complications including severe anemia and other blood disorders.

We are sending you our Guides to Leg Pain and Alternatives for Arthritis with many other, safer options for controlling joint pain and nighttime cramps. Anyone who would like copies, please send $4 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. AA/RLS, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. They also can be downloaded for $2 each from our Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com.