Relenza FAQ’s

Who should not take Relenza?

You should not take Relenza if you siffer from any form of chronic lung disease or obstructive pulmonary disease. It should also not be taken by people allergic to Zanamivir, LACTOSE or any other ingredients of Relenza. Before starting treatment, make sure your doctor knows if you are taking any other medication or have any type of kidney disease or breathing difficullties.

Can I give Relenza to my child?

Relenza is indicated for the treatment of influenza in patients 7 year and older who have had influenza symptoms for no more than 2 days.

Who should take Relenza?

Patients 7 year and older who have flu symptoms that appeared within the previous day or two. The typical flu symptoms include sudden onset of fever, cough, muscle pain, headache, fatigue, general weakness and sore throat.

What can I expect if I take Relenza?

In the clinical trials, those who took Relenza recovered approximately 1 day faster than flu patients who did not take Relenza.

Can I take other medications with Relenza?

Relenza has been shown to have an acceptable safety profile, with few drug interactions. Your doctor or healthcare professional may recommend taking over-the-counter medications to reduce fever or other symptoms while the antiviral action of Relenza takes effect. Before starting treatment make sure that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any other medication. If you are using any form of bronchodilator inhaler make sure to use this before taking Relenza.

What if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take Relenza at any time, take the dose that you missed as soon as you remember, except if it is within 2 hours of your next dose. You do not need to take a doubled dose but you have missed several doses, inform your doctor and follow the advice given to you.

What are the possible side effects of Relenza treatment?

Some patients have reported breathing problems when taking Relenza, although most of these patients were previously asthmatic or had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. If you do have problems breathing when on Relenza, stop taking the medicine immediately and report it to your doctor. Otherwise, the most common side effects are nausea and vomiting. Please ensure to read the patient information leaflet which will include a comprehensive list of the side effects or if you have any concerns about the side effects you are experiencing, please inform your healthcare professional.

What if I am pregnant or nursing?

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant while taking Relenza, talk to your doctor before taking this medication. Relenza is normally not recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing, as the effects on the unborn child or nursing infant are unknown.