Reported Tamiflu side effect on mental health in kids may just be down to the flu virus

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-08-05 01:00

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Kids taking the influenza drug, Tamiflu (oseltamivir), have reported “neuropsychiatric side effects” including mood disorders, suicidal or self-harm behaviour, but now a new study suggests that the drug may actually help to lower rates of these effects. The study found that the risk of mood disorders, suicidal or self-harm behaviours increased during influenza infection, but that treatment with oseltamivir was linked to a 50% lower risk. The authors say the results support the idea that influenza infection itself increases the risk of serious neuropsychiatric events and that treatment with oseltamivir may actually protect against these complications.

Media release

From: JAMA

Influenza With and Without Oseltamivir Treatment and Neuropsychiatric Events Among Children and Adolescents
JAMA Neurology
Original Investigation

About The Study: In this cohort study, oseltamivir treatment during influenza episodes was associated with a reduced risk of serious neuropsychiatric events among children and adolescents. These findings support oseltamivir use for prevention of these influenza-related complications.

(doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.1995)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Neurology

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA

Funder: Dr Antoon was supported by the US National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (K23 AI168496) and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (P50HD106446) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr Grijalva was supported by the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the NIH (K24 AI148459).

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