Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: ZANAMIVIR (zan-AM-i-vir)
This medicine is an antiviral agent used for treating influenza, including H1N1 influenza (swine flu), in patients 7 years old and older who have had symptoms for no more than 2 days. It may also be used to prevent influenza in patients 5 years old and older.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF you are going to have an intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) within the next 2 days or you have had such a vaccine within the past 2 weeks. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including if you have heart problems; lung disease, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or emphysema; a lung infection; allergies; pregnancy; or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have a history of mental or mood problems. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. An extra patient leaflet is available with this medicine. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information. Follow instructions given to you by your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider for using the medicine delivery device. DO NOT PUNCTURE THE BLISTER UNTIL you are ready to take a dose using the Diskhaler. STORE THIS MEDICINE at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Continue this medicine for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU HAVE ASTHMA OR COPD AND HAVE A DOSE OF THE BRONCHODILATOR INHALER SCHEDULED AT THE SAME TIME AS THIS MEDICINE, use the bronchodilator before using this medicine. BE SURE TO ALWAYS CARRY A FAST-ACTING BRONCHODILATOR INHALER with you to use in case of bronchospasm while using this medicine. IF YOU MISS A DOSE of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose (within 2 hours), skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT use 2 doses at once. IF MORE THAN 1 DOSE IS MISSED, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine, to lactose, or to milk protein. LAB TESTS, including lung function, may be performed while you use this medicine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine with caution. DO NOT DRIVE OR PERFORM OTHER POSSIBLY UNSAFE TASKS until you know how you react to it. THIS MEDICINE WILL NOT PREVENT you from spreading influenza to others. THIS MEDICINE SHOULD NOT BE USED IN PLACE OF the influenza vaccine recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). THIS MEDICINE WORKS ONLY AGAINST THE INFLUENZA VIRUS; it does not treat bacterial or other viral infections. PATIENTS WITH FLU WHO TAKE THIS MEDICINE may have an increased risk of confusion and unusual behavioral changes. The risk may be greater in children. Contact your doctor if you notice symptoms of confusion or any other unusual behavioral changes. Tell your doctor or dentist that you take this medicine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. TELL YOUR DOCTOR that you take this medicine before you receive any vaccines, including the intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV). CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR AT ONCE if you have lung or breathing problems (eg, asthma, COPD) and your symptoms become worse, or if you have problems breathing, such as wheezing or shortness of breath, or other signs of bronchospasm. IF YOUR SYMPTOMS DO NOT GET BETTER WITHIN A FEW DAYS OR IF THEY GET WORSE, check with your doctor. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Caution is advised when using this medicine in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially seizures, confusion, and abnormal behavior. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU BECOME PREGNANT, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS FOUND in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you use this medicine, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include cough; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; nausea; sinus inflammation; sore throat; stuffy nose; or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience abnormal behavior; confusion; hallucinations; irregular heartbeat; mood or mental changes; seizures; shortness of breath; symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills, persistent sore throat); trouble swallowing; or wheezing. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets.
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