Generic Name: zanamivir (zan AM i vir)
Brand Names: Relenza
What is zanamivir?
Zanamivir is an antiviral medication. It blocks the actions of viruses in your body.
Zanamivir is used to treat flu symptoms caused by influenza virus in patients who have had symptoms for less than 2 days. Zanamivir may also be given to prevent influenza in people who may be exposed but do not yet have symptoms. Zanamivir will not treat the common cold.
Zanamivir may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about zanamivir?
Do not use a nebulizer or ventilator to give zanamivir. Zanamivir inhalation powder should never be mixed with a liquid.
Zanamivir is used to treat flu symptoms caused by influenza virus in patients who have had symptoms for less than 2 days. Zanamivir may also be given to prevent influenza in people who may be exposed but do not yet have symptoms. Zanamivir will not treat the common cold.
Treatment with zanamivir 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 48 hours after using zanamivir. Zanamivir may interfere with the drug action of FluMist, making the vaccine less effective. Follow your doctor's instructions. Before using zanamivir, 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 zanamivir. Stop using zanamivir 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 zanamivir. 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 zanamivir have had rare side effects of confusion, delirium and self-injury. These symptoms have occurred most often in children. It is not known whether zanamivir 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 zanamivir has any of these symptoms. Zanamivir 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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using zanamivir?
Zanamivir 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.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to zanamivir or to lactose. Before using zanamivir, 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 zanamivir.
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 zanamivir. 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 zanamivir, use the inhaler first.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether zanamivir will harm an unborn baby. However, not receiving this medication to prevent influenza could be harmful to the baby if the mother becomes infected with a disease that zanamivir could prevent. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Your doctor will decide whether you should receive zanamivir, 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 zanamivir?
Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Treatment with zanamivir should start as soon as possible when flu symptoms appear, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose.
Zanamivir 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 zanamivir 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 a nebulizer or ventilator to give zanamivir. Zanamivir inhalation powder should never be mixed with a liquid. 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 zanamivir, use the inhaled bronchodilator before using zanamivir.
Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.
Store zanamivir 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 missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is within 2 hours of your next scheduled dose. 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 or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while using zanamivir?
Do not use an inhaled nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within 2 weeks before or 48 hours after using zanamivir. Zanamivir may interfere with the drug action of FluMist, making the vaccine less effective. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Zanamivir side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Some people using zanamivir have had rare side effects of confusion, delirium and self-injury. These symptoms have occurred most often in children. It is not known whether zanamivir 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 zanamivir has any of these symptoms. Stop using zanamivir and call your doctor at once if you have wheezing or severe breathing problems.
Less serious 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 side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Zanamivir Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Influenza:
10 mg (2 inhalations) inhaled orally twice a day (12 hours apart) for 5 days
If possible, 2 doses should be taken on the first day, provided there are at least 2 hours between the doses.
Usual Adult Dose for Influenza Prophylaxis:
10 mg (2 inhalations) inhaled orally once a day
Duration:
Household setting: 10 days
Community outbreak: 28 days
Usual Pediatric Dose for Influenza:
7 years or older: 10 mg (2 inhalations) inhaled orally twice a day (12 hours apart) for 5 days
If possible, 2 doses should be taken on the first day, provided there are at least 2 hours between the doses.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Influenza Prophylaxis:
5 years or older: 10 mg (2 inhalations) inhaled orally once a day
Duration:
Household setting: 10 days
Community outbreak: 28 days
What other drugs will affect zanamivir?
There may be other drugs that can interact with zanamivir. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More zanamivir resources
- Zanamivir Side Effects (in more detail)
- Zanamivir Dosage
- Zanamivir Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Zanamivir Drug Interactions
- Zanamivir Support Group
- 2 Reviews for Zanamivir - Add your own review/rating
- zanamivir Inhalation, oral/nebulization Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Zanamivir Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- Zanamivir MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Zanamivir Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Relenza Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Relenza Consumer Overview
Compare zanamivir with other medications
- Influenza
- Influenza Prophylaxis
- Swine Flu
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about zanamivir.
See also: zanamivir side effects (in more detail)
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