Relenza Medication - Uses & Side Effects

ZANAMIVIR inhalation powder (Relenza®) is a drug used to treat infections caused by two of the most common flu viruses. Zanamivir may decrease the length of time you experience symptoms of the flu by 1—2 days. Zanamivir may also help to reduce the risk of spreading the flu to others. A generic zanamivir inhalation powder is not yet available.

Relenza Dosage

• The recommended dose for adults and children 7 years and older is 2 inhalations (one 5-milligram blister per inhalation) twice a day, approximately 12 hours apart, for 5 days. Safety and efficacy have not been established for children under 7.

Uses of Relenza

• Relenza is used to treat uncomplicated illness due to influenza virus in people 7 years and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 2 days.
• Relenza is also used preventively, to reduce the chance of getting influenza illness, in people 5 years and older.

Side Effects of Relenza

Symptoms experienced during Relenza therapy are virtually the same as those associated with untreated flu. Problems reported during clinical tests are listed below. Side effects may include:

• Abdominal pain
• bronchitis
• cough
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• ear infection
• headache
• fatigue
• fever
• hives
• joint pain
• muscle ache
• nasal infection
• nasal symptoms

Warnings and precautions before taking Relenza :

• Relenza has been known to cause serious and potentially fatal breathing problems, especially in people who have asthma or other chronic pulmonary disorders. If you develop breathing difficulties such as wheezing or shortness of breath, stop taking Relenza and call your doctor immediately.
• Relenza is generally not recommended for anyone with a chronic pulmonary disease. If you do use it under these circumstances, be extremely cautious, and make sure that you have a fast-acting inhaled bronchodilator (Proventil Inhaler or Ventolin Inhaler) available and ready to use whenever you take it. If you use an inhaled bronchodilator regularly and have a dose scheduled at the same time as Relenza, use the bronchodilator first.
• Relenza can also cause serious allergic reactions. If you experience swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, or develop a skin rash, stop taking Relenza and contact your doctor.
• Serious bacterial infections may begin with flu-like symptoms or may coexist with the flu. Relenza has no effect on such infections.
• Relenza has not been tested in people with medical conditions severe enough for possible hospitalization. Use it with caution if you have any kind of serious health problem in addition to the flu.
• Stop taking Relenza and contact your health care provider if you experience signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction such as shortness of breath, swelling of eyelids, face, or lips or a skin rash.

Drug Interaction :- Interactions are considered unlikely.

Overdose

Accidental overdose is unlikely due to the physical limitations of the presentation, the route of administration and the poor oral bioavailability (2 to 3%) of zanamivir. Doses of zanamivir up to 64 mg/day (approximately 3 times the maximum daily recommended dose) have been administered by oral inhalation (by nebuliser) without adverse effects. Additionally, systemic exposure by intravenous administration of up to 1200 mg/day for five days showed no adverse effect.