Relenza

Relenza (Zanamivir) is an antiviral medicine. It blocks the action of viruses in your body. Zanamivir is used to treat symptoms caused by the influenza virus in patients who have had symptoms for less than 2 days. Zanamivir can be given to prevent influenza in people who may have been exposed but do not yet have symptoms. Zanamivir does not treat the common cold. Zanamivir should not be used instead of receiving the flu shot every year. The Centers for Disease Control recommends a flu shot every year to protect you from new types of the flu virus each year.

Relenza (Zanamivir) works by binding and blinding the active site to the host cell's neuraminidase protein. Its role as a receptor antagonist inhibits the influenza virus from being able to escape the host cell when resources are exhausted. As a consequence, the virus dies along with the host cell and cannot continue to replicate the virus in subsequent host cells.

Research has shown that Relenza can reduce the duration of flu symptoms as well as reduce the incidence of flu infection when taken as a preventive method. There are no quality studies, however, to support the claim that Relenza helps reduce flu complications like pneumonia.

In contrast to other neuraminidase inhibitors such as Tamiflu, there have been no influenza deformities to date that have shown signs of resistance to Relenza. This is a great advantage, as the drug is useful across a broad spectrum of influenza viruses and has the potential to help many individuals with the symptoms of influenza.

Relenza is a drug that contains zanamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, and the anti-virus drug used in the treatment and prevention of influenza. It is an inhaled oral drug, offering direct access to the respiratory system where the flu virus generally resides and replicas.

Use this influenza virus treatment medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Relenza (Zanamivir) treatment should start as soon as possible when flu symptoms appear, such as fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose.

Zanamivir comes in rolled, circular packages containing 4 ampoules of the medicine. These discs are placed in a device called a diskhaler that you will use to inhale the medicine. The device opens and loads one ampoule of zanamivir each time you use the inhaler. The disk device is not used with a spacer. Follow the patient instructions that come with the diskhaler.

Do not use a nebulizer or respirator to administer zanamivir. Zanamivir powder should never be mixed with a liquid.

To treat flu symptoms: Use 2 inhalations every 12 hours for 5 days. Your doctor may direct you to use two doses on the first day of treatment, separated by a minimum of 2 hours. In the following days, the doses should be separated by 12 hours. Follow the instructions of your doctor.

To prevent flu symptoms: Use 2 inhalations every 24 hours for 10 to 28 days. Follow the instructions of your doctor.

If you have a chronic respiratory disease such as asthma or COPD and you have been scheduled to use a bronchodilator inhaler at the same time as zanamivir, use the bronchodilator inhaler before using zanamivir.

Use this medication for the full time your doctor prescribed it for you. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely healed. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Like all medicines, this medicine can have side effects, although not all people suffer them.

Symptoms to watch out for:

Serious allergic reactions

They are rare and can affect up to 1 in 1,000 people using Relenza. The signs include:

• Bulky and itchy rash (blisters)

Swelling, sometimes of the face, mouth, or throat, that can cause difficulty breathing.

Collapse.

If you have any of these symptoms

Serious skin reactions

These side effects are rare and can affect up to 1 in 1,000 people using Relenza:

• Skin rash, which can form blisters that look like small targets (center point dark surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around the edge erythema multiform), generalized blistering rash and peeling of the skin, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), peeling generalized skin over much of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis).

Other common side effects

These can affect up to 1 in 10 people using Relenza:

• Rash on the skin.

Other rare side effects

These can affect up to 1 in 100 people using Relenza.

• Tight feeling in the throat or chest, shortness of breath that can happen suddenly. If you have a disease of the lungs (such as asthma or COPD), you will have to be under medical control while using Relenza in case you have this adverse effect.
• Swelling of the face, mouth, or throat.
• Rash (itchy skin blisters).
• Fainting and dizziness If you feel unwell while using Relenza you may pass out or dizzy after inhaling Relenza. You should sit in a relaxed position before inhaling the dose of Relenza and hold your breath until you are well before inhaling the dose.

If you feel unwell, it is advised that someone be with you while inhaling the dose of Relenza.

If you have any of these reactions stop taking Relenza and consult your doctor immediately. Consult your doctor or the emergency department.

You can buy Relenza online through one of the UK’s leading online pharmacies, Pharmacy Planet. It's easy and convenient. You will need to fill out a short assessment and the item will be delivered directly to your door. If you want to buy this influenza treatment medication online, use Pharmacy Planet, a UK pharmacy you can trust.