A swine flu victim has warned people not to take Tamiflu unless they really need it.

Brighton and Hove City Green councillor Jason Kitcat was prescribed the antiviral medication after being struck down by the virus.

He claimed the side affects from the powerful drug lingered longer than the flu virus.

Coun Kitcat said: “I had a high fever and was feeling really fluey and achy. I rang My GP and I was diagnosed with swine flu.

“The arrangements were made for me to get the Tamiflu and I started the course.

“Unfortunately, just after a day, I started having unbelievable headaches.

“They were really bad but I just put it down to the flu..

“However when my GP did a follow up call and I told him about the headaches, he said it was a side effect of the drug and I should stop taking it.

“The worst of the flu symptoms were gone after about a week but it was another two weeks before I felt fully right again.”

He added: “I understand if people have an underlying medical problem and may need that help but you have to wonder whether others who are normally fit and well would be better off just taking other flu medication instead. ”

Coun Kitcat said he intended to raise the issue at the next Brighton and Hove health scrutiny committee meeting in September.

West Sussex acting director of public health Peter Hayward said he would encourage anyone offered antiviral medication to take it.

He said: “We would encourage everyone offered antiviral medication to take it.

“Both Relenza and Tamiflu are licensed products, which means that they have been through a lengthly, rigorous testing process before receiving marketing authorisation.

“As is the case with many medicines, there are known side effects such as nausea and headaches in a small number of cases.

“These side effects may lessen over the course of the treatment and it may help to take Tamiflu either with or immesdiately after food. Drinking some water may also lessen the effect.”

At the moment the vast majority of swine flu cases have had relatively mild symptoms although almost 300 people in Sussex, Surrey and Kent have been admitted to hospital with the virus.

The rate of new cases is slowing but things are expected to pick up again in the autumn and winter.

This has led to a growing number of people trying to stock up on Tamiflu as a precaution.

Many parents have thought about getting hold of the drug to give it to their child to protect them, even if they are not ill or are trying to get supplies of the drug to take with them.

Health bosses are advising people not to try and stock up as there is plenty of the antiviral treatment available for those who need it.