• U.S. Brand Names: Relenza®
• Canadian Brand Names: Relenza®
• Mexican Brand Names: Relenza
• Pharmacologic Category: Antiviral Agent;Neuraminidase Inhibitor

• This medicine is used to prevent or treat the flu.
• Zanamivir works to injure the virus and fight the infection.

How to take

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
• Use prescription as directed, even if feeling better.
• For inhaling (puffing) only.
• Begin medicine as soon as possible.
• Take this medicine in the morning and evening for 5 days.
• Take two doses on the first day of treatment if possible. Separate doses by at least 2 hours that first day.
• Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.

Missed Dose

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

Storage

• Store at room temperature.

Avoid

• If you have an allergy to zanamivir or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

Precautions

• This medicine is not to be taken in place of the flu shot. If healthcare provider has recommended the flu shot, you need to get it.
• If you have lung disease, talk with healthcare provider. This medicine is not generally used in patients with these diseases.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

Side Effects

• Headache.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Diarrhea.
• Nasal and throat irritation.
• Cough.

Monitoring

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

Contact a healthcare provider

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Severe behavioral problems.
• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

General Statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada return any unused drugs back to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th for more facts about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

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