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zanamivir
Relenza

Pregnancy Risk Category B

How supplied
Powder for inhalation:
5 mg/blister

Action
Likely exerts its antiviral action by inhibiting neuraminidase on the surface of the influenza virus, potentially altering virus particle aggregation and release.

Indications & dosage
Uncomplicated acute illness due to influenza virus in patients who have been symptomatic for no more than 2 days-

Adults and adolescents ages 12 and older
: 2 oral inhalations (one 5-mg blister per inhalation for total dose of 10 mg) b.i.d. using the Diskhaler inhalation device for 5 days. Two doses should be taken on first day of treatment provided there is at least 2 hours between doses. Subsequent doses should be about 12 hours apart (in the morning and evening) at about the same time each day.

Adverse reactions
CNS:
headache, dizziness.
EENT:
nasal signs and symptoms; sinusitis; ear, nose, and throat infections.
GI:
diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.
Respiratory:
bronchitis, cough.

Interactions
None significant.

Effects on diagnostic tests
None reported.

Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to drug or its components.

Nursing considerations

Patient teaching

*Liquid contains alcohol. **May contain tartrazine.  †Canada  ‡Australia  §U.K.  OTCOver the counter
Reactions may be common, uncommon, life-threatening, or COMMON AND LIFE-THREATENING

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