Rash from Tamiflu: what to know

A medicine rash may appear as widespread pink or red spots, raised patches or itch after treatment begins, but timing alone cannot prove the cause. Viral infections themselves can produce rashes, and an existing condition such as Atopic Dermatitis or Psoriasis may flare during illness.

Drug Rash is more concerning when the skin is painful, blistered, peeling or unusually tender, or when the mouth, eyes or genitals are involved. Record when Tamiflu was started, when the rash appeared, and every other medicine or supplement taken.

Contact the prescriber, an urgent care service or a pharmacist for individual advice before taking another dose. Do not restart Tamiflu later without guidance, and do not give the medicine to anyone else. Use gentle skin care and avoid new creams that could make the picture harder to assess.

Keep the packet or prescription available and take clear photos of the rash as it changes. A clinician may decide whether antiviral treatment should be changed and whether the eruption needs a specific treatment.

Call emergency services immediately for trouble breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, faintness, widespread blistering, skin peeling, severe skin pain, sores in the mouth or eyes, or confusion. These symptoms can signal a serious medicine reaction and should not wait for a routine appointment.

Could the rash be caused by Tamiflu, the infection or another medicine? Should I take the next dose? Which symptoms require emergency care, and should this reaction be recorded as a medicine allergy?