The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new influenza drug called Rapivab (peramivir). Rapivab is given intravenously as a single dose in adults who have been symptomatic with the flu for no more than two days. This drug is in the neuraminidase family of drugs which includes Tamiflu and Relenza, which are oral medications. I have written extensively about the failures of the oral flu medications in my blog and in my newsletter, Dr. Brownstein’s Natural Way to Health.
The neuraminidase inhibitors, in the best studies, have been found to lessen the symptoms from the flu for less than 24 hours. This new medication showed the same effect. All the neuraminidase inhibitors are associated with serious side effects including nausea, vomiting and headaches. Wait a second—I thought those symptoms were associated with the flu?
Tamiflu has been associated with more serious side effects such as psychiatric events and heart rhythm abnormalities. With side effects like those, perhaps a cup of chicken soup is a better option! A 2014 independent review of the oral flu medications found “…that {anti-flu medications} may be no better than other symptom-relief {treatments} such as drinking clear liquids, gargling with warm salt water, and using over-the-counter pain relievers.” (1)
Folks, the U.S. Government gave almost $235 million dollars in grant money to study Rapivab. I think that money could be better spent studying the effects of vitamin C on the flu. At least vitamin C is not associated with serious side effects. I would avoid taking all neuraminidase inhibitors. They have little effectiveness. They are too expensive. And, they are associated with severe side effects.
We don’t need another ineffective, expensive, and toxic flu drug on the market. I think we would be better off removing all of the neuraminidase inhibitors from the market. Perhaps we need to remember what our mothers told us when we were sick– take vitamin C and drink chicken soup. To learn more about the importance of vitamin C, check out our Buffered C Pre-Pack Program.
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2014, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD008965. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008965.pub4 – See more at: http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD008965/regulatory-information-on-trials-of-oseltamivir-tamiflu-and-zanamivir-relenza-for-influenza-in-adults-and-children#sthash.PjOPCMph.dpuf
I find this very interesting. I gave up flu shots about 11 years ago, after getting very sick for two years in a row. This year I started getting sick a few weeks ago and began drinking Emergen-C or Ester C, and eating homemade organic chicken soup immediately when I started getting stuffy. I was better the next day This has happened twice this year and both times I have been better by the following morning. I am 59 years old, in decent health, had breast cancer two years ago. I only eat organic produce and meats that have no hormones or antibiotics. I eat lots of fruits, vegetables and grains and nuts, and very little meat. So happy to see an MD taking the Holistic approach! Wish you were in Northern Kentucky!
One of my students who works in a hospital as a technician reported that all workers in hospitals are required to get a flu shot. This is true at the hospital he works at and in the system his is part of. It’s a form of mass poisoning.
Thank you for your research and courage to share it. I can appreciate how speaking out about this issue must make your life more difficult. I’m a RN who refuses to get the vaccine but must keep silent about it since it is mandated in almost every aspect of our health care community. I work with students and feel awful when they tell me about unexplained symptoms and illness which almost always fall within a recent history of receiving the flu vaccine.
Dr. Brownstein, you are such a jewel in a world of fakery. I love your newsletter and your amazing integrity. Not surprisingly, you remind me a lot of Dr. Jonathan Wright, one of your fabulous colleagues. I do get frustrated sometimes when people just don’t listen. For example, I will sometimes use all my intelligence to convey to people the importance of iodine, the universal nutrient. As you say, iodine stands out head and shoulders above all the other important nutrients that you prescribe. But I have a lot of trouble getting people, who are obviously deficient, to do anything about it. They give every impression that they believe exactly what you tell them, but then choose to do nothing. Admittedly, I am not a physician like you but I am a highly intelligent person who feels very passionate about nutrition as the only way to get people healthy and I love the subject. As a 75 year old, I have never felt better in my life and my energy and brain function are better than at anytime in my life. And I am absolutely certain this is the result of optimum nutrition, which I have learned so much about from you and your colleagues.
With the greatest of Gratitude,
Andyogi
Thanks for the info Dr. B. I just got over the flu and am so tired of people asking me if I had my flu shot. I even cancelled a doctor’s appt. because I realized I would be read the riot act! Used the old tradition of plenty of rest and lots of fluids. Did some OTC but not much. Let it run it’s course, basically. I wish people, doctors included, would respect a person’s wishes when they choose to NOT get the flu shot. Instead, we are treated like idiots. So tired of having to defend my decisions about my body!!!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Douglas Wing. What a great testimony!
My golden years got a little bumpy in 2005 when prostate cancer and a heart murmur were detected, adding to the skin cancers prevalent for 25 years. Then a stroke eliminated the central vision in one eye. 43 prostate radiations and an aortic pig valve kept me going until 2010 when tumors were found growing in my right lung. 24 lung radiations zapped the tumors, but subsequent CT scans showed new tumors growing in the other lobes.
After watching Rick Simpson’s “RUN FROM THE CURE” I thought “what have I got to lose?”. So I got a Michigan permit, procured some cannabis and made some Rick Simpson Oil (RSO). I started taking the oil on 11/11/11 and finished his suggested two ounces five months later. Our 4 children and 9 grand children were unaware of my treatment until we told them in March. No “joint” smoking was involved.
My oncologist said my last scan was clear. Thanks to God and Simpson, at 81 I’m again able to enjoy bicycling, golf, racquetball, water skiing and scuba diving. After several of of my doctors told me they didn’t know anyone else who had cured their cancers with RSO, I felt obliged to spread the good news, thinking this is what they would have done in my shoes. In so doing, I realized our generation has been so thoroughly brain-washed about the fictitious evils of this remarkable plant, that many do not even want to discuss it.
This prolific plant, that we denigrate with the slang name marihuana, will become known to future generations, as it was known to past generations for millennia, as the number-one annually renewable, fully sustainable, non pesticide-requiring and most abundant source of paper/fiber/fuel/food/medicine on the face of the Earth; with more overall uses than any other known plant.
How really affordable health care would be if cancers like mine are cured for several thousand dollars instead of the $300,000+ spent unsuccessfully treating mine! RSO treatment is a lot easier than chemo, radiation or surgery and is not addictive. Imagine the affordability when cannabis is also used to treat multiple sclerosis, arthritis, epilepsy, Parkinsin’s, Crohns, chronic pain, HIV, Alzheimers, diabetes, migraines, etc.
How alarmed and disgusted folks will be when they fully grasp how effectively the horrific hoax perpetrated 80 years ago by Hearst, Dupont and Rockefeller has adversely affected them and theirs! They’ll be appalled to realize this brain-washing of humanity has been knowingly continued by today’s drug industry and the government/medical/media establishments it controls, resulting in needless suffering, premature death and global pollution.
Douglas Wing, M.S., P.E.
Douglas,
Thanks for the story.
DrB
Thank you so much for this and for your books. I’ve never had a flu vaccine but I am pressured to do so frequently. At age 74 I don’t think it’s time to start. Thanks for the information to answer back and defend myself.
I quit getting any vaccinations about 5 years ago. I have not regretted it.
I did not get any side effects from the vaccines I did receive. It is Russian Roulette, though.
Thanks for the warning. My family will heed it!
My Mother always prescribed the chicken soup, and vitamin C with cod-liver oil!!!!!!!!! Boy! that cod liver oil really works wonders!
Thank you, Dr. B., for all your valuable information; and, thank you, Alli for reporting your experience with TamiFlu. I use a homeopathic flu remedy each year, and have not gotten sick in many years. I’ve often wondered about the Tamiflu. Now I know. Happy Holidays.
There is already a lot of proven research about effectivness of Vitamin C. A few Nobel prizes were given for works on Vitamin C. Also Dr. Gifford-Jones promotes use of a few thousands of Vitamin C with Lysine daily instead of statins.Let’s take our Vit C daily to improve our health!
So good to read another revelation of the true situation that exists in this country between drug co’s and govt. as well as the dangers and ineffectiveness of flu shots and RX drug remedies. Hocus Pocus. Keep talking, Doc! Thank you very much.
I 100% agree with you! I was just given TamiFlu this last week. Against my better judgement and need to feel better before Christmas I began taking the Tamiflu! I began with horrible nausea, diarrhea, unable to sleep, and out of this world dreaming. I stopped taking it after 3 days. This is not a drug-it is a toxin. It should not be on the market. I am still dealing with the after effects of this medicine! I have called Genetech and demanded my money be refunded. They should not be allowing this terrible drug to be on the market! They are playing on people who are in desperation to feel better. Like I said before I was in my “desperate” mode with Christmas approaching and plans to leave town! This medicine at the time seemed like the perfect fix! Going against my normal philosophy on medicines and naturalistic ways I bought into this lie! It complete reeked havoc on my entire system! I wish I had never put this horrible toxin in my body! I wish more people knew about this! Keep up the great work Dr.Brownstein!!