(zan AM i vir) Brand: Relenza
• Zanamivir must not be used in seat of getting a yearly flu shot. The Centers for Malady Control recommends an annual flu shot to help protect you every year from new strains of influenza virus.
• Till using zanamivir, speak your doctor if you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary malady (COPD), or any another chronic lung condition. Serious or life-threatening bronchospasm (difficulty breathing) and another 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.
• Do not use a nebulizer or ventilator to give zanamivir. Zanamivir inhalation powder must never be mixed with a liquid.
• Treatment with zanamivir must 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 medicine to treat flu symptoms in a baby younger than 7 years old. Children as young as 5 years old may use the medicine to prevent flu symptoms.
• Do not use an inhaled nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within 2 weeks till or 48 hours after using zanamivir. Zanamivir may interfere with the drug action of FluMist, making the vaccine smaller effective. Follow your doctor's instructions.
• 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 reason of these symptoms. However, anyone using zanamivir must be watched closely for signs of confusion or unusual behavior. Call a doctor at once if you or the baby using zanamivir has any of these symptoms.
• Zanamivir is an antiviral medicine. 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 smaller 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 general cold.
• Zanamivir must not be used in seat of getting a yearly flu shot. The Centers for Malady Control recommends an annual flu shot to help protect you every year from new strains of influenza virus.
• Zanamivir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.
• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to zanamivir or to lactose (milk protein).
• Till using zanamivir, speak your doctor if you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary malady (COPD), or any another chronic lung condition. Serious or life-threatening bronchospasm (difficulty breathing) and another effects on the lungs can occur while using zanamivir.
• If you have asthma, COPD, or another chronic lung malady, create certain you have a fast-acting inhaled bronchodilator accessible 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). Conversation with your doctor about which medication is excellent for you.
• If you are scheduled to use a bronchodilator at the same time as zanamivir, use the bronchodilator first.
• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether zanamivir will harm an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant. Your doctor will solve whether you must receive zanamivir, especially if you have a tall risk of infection with influenza.
• It is not known whether zanamivir passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. Do not use this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• Do not use this medicine to treat flu symptoms in a baby younger than 7 years old. Children as young as 5 years old may use the medicine to prevent flu symptoms.
• Use exactly as predesigned by your doctor. Do not use in larger or less amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
• Treatment with zanamivir must 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 medication. These disks are placed into a device called a DISKHALER that you will use to inhale the medication. The device opens and loads a blister of zanamivir every 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 must never be mixed with a liquid.
• Do not use any another medicines in the DISKHALER. Always put the cover back on the device when not in use.
• To treat flu symptoms: Use 2 inhalations each 12 hours for 5 days. Your doctor may speak you to use two doses on the first day of treatment, spaced at least 2 hours separately. On the next days, the doses must be spaced 12 hours separately. Follow your doctor's instructions.
• To prevent flu symptoms: Use 2 inhalations each 24 hours for 10 to 28 days. Follow your doctor's instructions.
• If you have a chronic respiratory malady such as asthma or COPD and you are scheduled to use an inhaled bronchodilator at the same time as zanamivir, use the inhaled bronchodilator till using zanamivir.
• Use this medicine for the full predesigned length of time. Your symptoms may improve till the infection is completely cleared. Speak your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.
• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Throw away the DISKHALER after your treatment ends.
• Use the missed doze as soon as you remember. Skip the missed doze if it is within 2 hours of your following scheduled doze. Do not use extra medication to create up the missed dose.
• Call your doctor if you miss different doses.
• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
• Do not use an inhaled nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within 2 weeks till or 48 hours after using zanamivir. Zanamivir may interfere with the drug action of FluMist, making the vaccine smaller effective. Follow your doctor's instructions.
• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your person, 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 reason of these symptoms. However, anyone using zanamivir must be watched closely for signs of confusion or unusual behavior. Call a doctor at once if you or the baby using zanamivir has any of these symptoms.
• Stop using zanamivir and call your doctor at once if you have wheezing or severe breathing problems, or if you feel like you might pass out.
• Smaller serious side effects may include:
· headache;
· dizziness;
· nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
· fever, chills, joint pain;
· ear pain; or
· cool symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
• There may be another drugs that can interact with zanamivir. Speak your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal commodity. Do not start a new medicine without telling your doctor.
• Your pharmacist can provide more information about zanamivir.
Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
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