FDA May Add Warnings to Flu Meds

The FDA may change the labels of flu medications Tamiflu and Relenza to warn of serious side effects such as hallucinations, the Wall Street Journal reports. More than 700 so-called neuropsychiatric events—for example, children trying to "flee" by jumping through windows—and 16 deaths may be related to the drugs. Most reports come from Japan, where the drugs are most popular.

An FDA memo says it's not clear that the drugs alone caused the side effects but said it would be "prudent" for the labels to discuss them. The makers of both drugs dispute a causal relationship, although Roche, Tamiflu’s producer, said it was “open” to an FDA label change. A safety committee will review the evidence next week and recommend the next step. (More influenza stories.)