TORONTO - A new scientific review says the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza are relatively safe for use in pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The authors, from the Motherisk Program at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children and the Japan Drug Information Institute in Pregnancy, examined the issue because pregnant women and infants are at high risk of complications from flu.
They suggest that Tamiflu is probably the better choice for treatment or prevention of swine flu in pregnant women because there is more safety data on its use in pregnancy.
But they say for women who are breastfeeding, either drug could be used because only small amounts are excreted in breast milk.
The paper, published electronically by the Canadian Medical Association Journal, says neither drug appears to affect the growth or development of fetuses exposed to them in the womb.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control said last week that it's receiving reports some pregnant women who catch swine flu won't take antiviral drugs out of concern for their fetuses.
