Neuropsychiatric problems due to oseltamivir treatment in H7N9 bird flu.

Sir, the emergence of H7N9 bird flu in China presents an interesting situation1. The World Health Organization notes the importance of monitoring this situation for a potential worldwide pandemic2. In terms of the disease, H7N9 bird flu is an atypical influenza virus infection and the drug treatment is oseltamivir. There is great concern surrounding the adverse effects of oseltamivir. “Delirium or delirium-like events” is reported as the most common neuropsychiatric adverse effect3. However, based on the available data in all 136 cases, no neuropsychiatric effects of oseltamivir treatment have been reported. This might confirm the safety of the standard oseltamivir treatment. In fact, in earlier research, Smith and Sacks concluded that there was no increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorder from the use of oseltamivir4.