Zanamivir
Description
Zanamivir is used in the treatment of infections of influenza virus types A and B. This medicine is not indicated for use in children under the age of 5 years.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Zanamivir
- Convulsions
- Joint pain
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Headache
- Fever or chills
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Pain in the ears
Uses of Zanamivir
What is it prescribed for?
- Influenza
- Influenza prophylaxis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe time required for this medicine to show its effect is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe time until which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendency has been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to zanamivir or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using this medicine.
General warnings
Route of Administration
This medicine should be administered only through the accompanying inhaler.
Delirium
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of delirium due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Use in children
This medicine is not indicated for use in patients less than 5 years of age.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Insulin inhalation Rapid acting
Influenza virus vaccine, live, trivalent
Influenza vaccine H1N1 live
Disease interactions
Respiratory Disorders
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of any underlying airway diseases such as asthma or COPD due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Use Zanamivir exactly as instructed by the doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. Ensure that proper hygiene measures are adopted. Complete the course of treatment to prevent the spread of the infection. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by stopping the influenza virus (flu virus) from spreading inside the body.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Neuraminidase inhibitors, Inhaled anti-infectives
Schedule
Schedule X
DailyMed - RELENZA - zanamivir powder [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 28 August 2017]. Available from:
EMC [Internet]. 2017 [cited 28 August 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 28 August 2017]. Available from:
Toxnet [Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 28 August 2017]. Available from:
Zanamivir - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 28 August 2017]. Available from:
Zanamivir Oral Inhalation: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 28 August 2017]. Available from:
VIRENZA Capsules [Internet]. CiplaMed. 2017 [cited 12 September 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 13 Sep 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.