Swine Flu

Relenza zanamivir is an antiviral medicine used for the treatment and prevention of both Influenza virus A and Influenza virus B infection. During the swine Flu outbreak in 2009, the FDA approved the use of Relenza zanamivir for the treatment and prevention of H1N1 swine flu virus too. Relenza is the only other drug apart from Tamiflu to be used for the prevention and treatment of swine flu. Marketed by GlaxoSmithKline, Relenza is available in a powdered form and is meant to be inhaled. Relenza helps to treat and prevent swine flu in adults and children aged seven and above. Relenza zanamivir can only prevent swine flu infection in children aged between 5 and 7.

Relenza for swine flu treatment

The active ingredient in Relenza called zanamivir belongs to a group of medicines called neuraminidase inhibitor. The influenza virus is known to spread from cell-to-cell due to neuraminidase enzyme. Zanamivir binds to the neuraminidase protein on the surface of the virus cell and curtails the spread of the virus. Relenza zanamivir also reduces the severity of swine flu symptoms by helping the immune system to fight with added strength against the virus. It has been shown that by using Relenza, the duration of the illness is reduced by one day. Relenza shows best results when the treatment is initiated within two days of experiencing the swine flu symptoms. The standard recommended dosage is 2 inhalations of Relenza twice a day. Relenza is mostly prescribed to people in the high risk group who are more prone to getting severe flu complications including old people, those suffering from severe respiratory disease, heart disease, kidney problems and diabetes or persons suffering from a weakened immune system.

Precautions to take while having Relenza

Listed below are precautions you must keep in mind before using Relenza.

• Relenza is a prescription medicine and hence should be used only after consulting a doctor.
• Inform your doctor if you suffer from any allergies or have a known sensitivity to any of the ingredients in Relenza.
• Relenza is not recommended for use by people suffering from asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or any other chronic lung disease.
• Relenza should be taken with caution in women who are pregnant, planning to get pregnant or breastfeeding.

Major and minor side effects of Relenza

Like many other prescription medicines Relenza too comes with certain side effects. However, most of the Relenza side effects are mild to moderate and are not likely to affect everyone who uses the drug. Some of the commonly reported minor side effects of Relenza include cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, headache, sinus inflammation, stuffy nose and sore throat. Some patients have also reported allergic reactions while using Relenza such as difficulty breathing, closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, tongue and face or hives. Patients with asthma or COPD may also develop major side effects like bronchospasm or decreased lung function, which may become severe or even fatal. Please consult your doctor if you experience any major side effects of Relenza or if any of the minor side effects become particularly bothersome.