Relenza

Generic Name: zanamivir (za NA mih veer)

What is Relenza?

Relenza is an antiviral medication. It blocks the actions of viruses in your body.

Relenza is used to treat flu symptoms caused by influenza virus in patients who have had symptoms for less than 2 days. It may also be given to prevent influenza in people who may be exposed but do not yet have symptoms. Relenza will not treat the common cold.

Important information about Relenza

Relenza is used to treat flu symptoms caused by influenza virus in patients who have had symptoms for less than 2 days. Relenza may also be given to prevent influenza in people who may be exposed but do not yet have symptoms. This medicine will not treat the common cold.

Treatment with Relenza should start as soon as possible when flu symptoms appear, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose.

Do not use this medication to treat flu symptoms in a child younger than 7 years old. Children as young as 5 may use the medication to prevent flu symptoms. Do not use an inhaled nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within 2 weeks before or 24 hours after using Relenza. This medication may interfere with the drug action of FluMist, making the vaccine less effective. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Before using Relenza tell your doctor if you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or any other chronic lung condition. Serious or life-threatening bronchospasm (difficulty breathing) and other effects on the lungs can occur while using this medicine. Stop using Relenza and call your doctor at once if you have wheezing or severe breathing problems.

If you have asthma, COPD, or other chronic lung disease, make sure you have a fast-acting inhaled bronchodilator available to treat any serious breathing problems that may occur while using Relenza. Fast-acting bronchodilators include albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol (Alupent), and pirbuterol (Maxair). Talk with your doctor about which medicine is best for you.

Some people using Relenza have had rare side effects of confusion, delirium and self-injury. These symptoms have occurred most often in children. It is not known whether this medicine was the exact cause of these symptoms. However, anyone using zanamivir should be watched closely for signs of confusion or unusual behavior. Call a doctor at once if you or the child using this medicine has any of these symptoms. Relenza should not be used in place of getting a yearly flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control recommends an annual flu shot to help protect you each year from new strains of influenza virus.

Before using Relenza

Relenza should not be used in place of getting a yearly flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control recommends an annual flu shot to help protect you each year from new strains of influenza virus.

Do not use Relenza without first talking to your doctor if you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or any other chronic lung condition. Serious or life-threatening bronchospasm (difficulty breathing) and other effects on the lungs can occur while using this medicine.

If you have asthma, COPD, or other chronic lung disease, make sure you have a fast-acting inhaled bronchodilator available to treat any serious breathing problems that may occur while using Relenza. Fast-acting bronchodilators include albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol (Alupent), and pirbuterol (Maxair). Talk with your doctor about which medicine is best for you.

If you are scheduled to use a bronchodilator at the same time as Relenza, use the inhaler first.

Vaccines may be harmful to an unborn baby and generally should not be given to a pregnant woman. However, not vaccinating the mother could be more harmful to the baby if the mother becomes infected with a disease that Relenza could prevent. Your doctor will decide whether you should receive Relenza, especially if you have a high risk of infection with H1N1 influenza (also called “swine” flu).

It is not known whether zanamivir passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not use this medication to treat flu symptoms in a child younger than 7 years old. Children as young as 5 may use the medication to prevent flu symptoms.

How should I use Relenza?

Use Relenza exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label

Treatment with Relenza should start as soon as possible when flu symptoms appear, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose.

Relenza is packaged in disk-shaped foil packs that contain 4 blisters of medicine. These disks are placed into a device called a DISKHALER that you will use to inhale the medicine. The device opens and loads a blister of Relenza each time you use the inhaler. The disk device is not to be used with a spacer. Follow the patient instructions provided with the DISKHALER.

Do not use any other medicines in the DISKHALER. Always put the cover back on the device when not in use.

To treat flu symptoms: Use 2 inhalations every 12 hours for 5 days. Your doctor may tell you to use two doses on the first day of treatment, spaced at least 2 hours apart. On the following days, the doses should be spaced 12 hours apart. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

To prevent flu symptoms: Use 2 inhalations every 24 hours for 10 to 28 days. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

If you have a chronic respiratory disease such as asthma or COPD and you are scheduled to use an inhaled bronchodilator at the same time as Relenza, use the inhaled bronchodilator before using Relenza.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse. Store Relenza at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Throw away the DISKHALER after your treatment ends.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is within 2 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Call your doctor if you miss several doses.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

What should I avoid while using Relenza?

Do not use an inhaled nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within 2 weeks before or 24 hours after using Relenza. It may interfere with the drug action of FluMist, making the vaccine less effective. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Relenza side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Relenza: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Some people using this medicine have had rare side effects of confusion, delirium and self-injury. These symptoms have occurred most often in children. It is not known whether this medicine was the exact cause of these symptoms. However, anyone using Relenza should be watched closely for signs of confusion or unusual behavior. Call a doctor at once if you or the child using this medicine has any of these symptoms. Stop using Relenza and call your doctor at once if you have wheezing or severe breathing problems.

Less serious Relenza side effects may include:

headache;

dizziness;

nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;

infection of your ear, nose, or throat;

stuffy or irritated nose; or

cough or respiratory symptoms.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

What other drugs will affect Relenza?

There may be other drugs that can interact with Relenza. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.