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What is Relenza?

Relenza (generic name zanamivir) is a prescription drug used to treat the flu virus in adults and children 7 years and older. Studies show Relenza can help you feel better about one day sooner than if you didn’t take this drug. Early information suggests taking Relenza daily for 28 days can prevent one in five people from catching the flu. But a yearly flu shot is still the best way to keep from getting the flu—it's 70 to 90 percent effective.

Relenza is a powder that you inhale through the mouth using a plastic device. The recommended dose is twice a day for five days. You must start therapy during the first two days you have flu symptoms. Complete the entire five-day course of therapy, even if you feel better sooner. Relenza doesn't keep you from spreading the flu to others.

Sources:
Micromedex® Healthcare Series, Thomson Micromedex, 2006.
Relenza product information, GlaxoSmithkline, 2006. Anon. "Vaccine Information: Influenza Vaccine." Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1999. (You can read this article athttp://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/fluvac.htm.)
Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. American Pharmaceutical Association, 1996.
Monto, A.S. "Zanamivir in the Prevention of Influenza Among Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial," The Journal of the American Medical Association 282 (1999).
"Neuraminidase Inhibitors for Treatment of Influenza A and B Infections," Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 48 (1999).
Drugs and Supplements, “Relenza”. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus. Medline Plus. Last accessed 11/21/2006.

This answer prepared 5/15/2000
This information updated 11/21/2006.