Relenza

The recommended dose of zanamivir to treat influenza in adults and children 7 years and older is 20 mg, taken as 2 puffs in the morning and 2 puffs in the evening for 5 days. You should start the medication within 2 days of when you start to feel flu symptoms. The 2 doses should be as close to 12 hours apart as possible and the first 2 doses should be taken on the first day of treatment as long as there is at least 2 hours between the doses.

The recommended dose of zanamivir to prevent influenza in adults and children 7 years and older is 10 mg, taken as 2 puffs once a day at the same time each day for 10 to 28 days. The length of treatment will depend on the person and will be determined by your doctor.

Zanamivir is used with a special inhaler. Read the directions in the package carefully before using it. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about how to use the inhaler.

To load the inhaler with the medication:

• Pull off the blue cover. Make sure the mouthpiece is clean and free of foreign objects. Pull the white mouthpiece until the tray is extended.
• Hold the corners of the white tray and pull out gently until you can see all the raised ridges on the sides of the tray.
• Put your finger and thumb on the ridges, squeeze inward, and gently pull the tray out of the body of the inhaler.
• Place a disk on the wheel and then slide the tray back into the inhaler until it clicks firmly into place.
• To replace the empty disk with a full disk, follow the same steps you used to load the inhaler.

To use the inhaler:

• Hold the inhaler flat in your hand. Do not turn it over or drop it because the medication (which is a loose powder in the inhaler) may spill out.
• Lift the flap. When the flap is raised as far as it will go, a plastic needle will break a blister containing one inhalation of medication. Do not lift the flap if the cartridge is not in the inhaler. Doing this will break the needle and you will need a new inhaler.
• After the blister is broken open, close the lid. Keeping the inhaler flat and well away from your mouth, breathe out to the end of a normal breath.
• Raise the inhaler to your mouth and place the mouthpiece in your mouth.
• Close your lips around the mouthpiece and tilt your head slightly back. Do not bite down on the mouthpiece. Do not block the mouthpiece with your teeth or tongue. Do not cover the air holes on the side of the mouthpiece.
• Breathe in through your mouth as steadily and as deeply as you can until you have taken a full deep breath.
• Hold your breath and remove the mouthpiece from your mouth. Continue holding your breath as long as you can (for at least 3 seconds and up to 10 seconds) before breathing out. This gives the medication time to settle in your airways and lungs.
• Hold the inhaler well away from your mouth and breathe out to the end of a normal breath.
• Prepare the cartridge for your next inhalation. To automatically advance to the next blister, pull the white tray by the edges until it stops (don't remove it).
• Take the second puff following exactly the same steps you used for the first puff.
• When you are finished, wipe off the mouthpiece and replace the cover to keep the mouthpiece clean and free of foreign objects. You may drink water afterwards.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to use Relenza exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, administer it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose (within 2 hours), skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not administer a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Relenza at room temperature in a dry place and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause dizziness - use caution when getting up from a lying or sitting position and use caution if driving; it may cause nausea or, rarely, vomiting. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Each Relenza Rotadisk consists of a circular foil disk with 4 regularly distributed blisters each containing 5 mg of zanamivir. A diskhaler inhalation device is provided to administer the medication. Nonmedicinal ingredient: lactose.

Do not use Relenza if you are allergic to zanamivir or any ingredients of the medication.

There may be an interaction between zanamivir and any of the following:

• influenza vaccine

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Relenza. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Relenza.

Asthma or breathing disorders: Relenza can cause serious breathing problems (wheezing, difficulty breathing). If you do take Relenza and you have asthma or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), make sure you have your fast-acting bronchodilator available. If your dosing schedule requires both your bronchodilator and zanamivir to be used at the same time, use your bronchodilator first.

If you develop worsening breathing problems such as difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or wheezing, stop using zanamivir and contact your doctor as soon as possible. Zanamivir is generally not recommended for people with a history of breathing disorders (e.g., asthma, COPD).

Effectiveness: Zanamivir is not effective for treating flu symptoms that have been present for more than 2 days.

Flu shots: Zanamivir is not a substitute for the flu shot. Continue to receive an annual flu shot as advised by your doctor.

Lactose: Relenza contains lactose. People who are allergic to milk proteins should not use zanamivir.

Mental health: There have been reports of people who experienced delirium and abnormal behaviour while taking zanamivir. The exact link between zanamivir and these behaviours have not been established. If you experience any changes in behaviour, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Pregnancy: Relenza should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Relenza, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if zanamivir passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Relenza, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Relenza have not been established for children under 7 years of age.

This product must be inhaled by mouth. Carefully follow the package's instructions. If needed, ask your pharmacist for additional information or for a demonstration. This medication is typically used twice a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Generally, a treatment with this medication lasts several days. Use it for the entire time prescribed in order to achieve the medication's full benefit. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose to catch up.