FDA Warning: Counterfeit Tamiflu | DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a report about the sale of Generic Tamiflu over the internet. Tamiflu, a drug used for the treatment of patients with illness due to influenza that contains the active ingredient oseltamivir, has been sold through websites claiming to be online drug stores.  The Generic Tamiflu that is being sold through these websites has cloxacillin as its active ingredient, which belongs to the same class of antibiotics as penicillin.  Patients who are allergic to penicillin will possibly see a similar life-threatening anaphylactic reaction to cloxacillin, including the following symptoms:

• Labored/Difficult breathing
• Chest tightness
• Swelling of the throat/tongue
• Dizziness
• Hives
• Loss of consciousness
• Rapid or weak pulse

The FDA advises patients that possess or come across the counterfeit Tamiflu to discontinue use and contact the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations.

A list of legitimate pharmacies that carry a seal from the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) can be found here.

The original FDA safety advisory can be found here.