| Medication Name | Relenza |
| Generic Name | zanamivir |
| Boxed/Label Warning | Relenza is not recommended for patients with underlying airway disease (such as asthma or COPD) due to the risk of serious bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways). Serious neuropsychiatric events, including delirium and abnormal behavior leading to injury, have been reported in patients with influenza receiving neuraminidase inhibitors, including Relenza. |
| Purpose | To treat uncomplicated acute illness due to influenza A and B virus in adults and children 7 years and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 2 days. It is also used for the prevention (prophylaxis) of influenza. |
| Mechanism of Action | Relenza is a neuraminidase inhibitor. It works by blocking the neuraminidase enzyme on the surface of the influenza virus, which prevents the virus from being released from infected cells and spreading to other cells in the respiratory tract. |
| Dosage Forms | Powder for oral inhalation (administered via a Diskhaler device) |
| Available Strengths | 5 mg per blister |
| Dosage Frequency | Treatment: Two inhalations (one 5 mg blister twice, for a total of 10 mg) twice a day for 5 days. Prevention: Two inhalations (10 mg) once a day for 10 days (household setting) or 28 days (community outbreak). |
| Common Side Effects | Headache, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, cough, sore throat, nasal signs and symptoms. |
| Serious Side Effects | Severe bronchospasm, severe allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis), and serious neuropsychiatric events (confusion, delirium, hallucinations, self-injury). |
| Drug Interactions | Concurrent use with a live attenuated influenza vaccine (nasal spray vaccine) should be avoided. |
| Important Notes | Relenza is not a substitute for an annual flu vaccination. It is administered using a specific inhaler device (Diskhaler) and is not for use in a nebulizer. Patients with asthma or COPD should have a fast-acting bronchodilator (like albuterol) available when using Relenza. |
| Storage | Store at room temperature (77°F or 25°C), away from moisture. |
| Missed Dose | If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once. |
| Alternatives | Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), Baloxavir (Xofluza), Peramivir (Rapivab). |