In the article, we will consider instructions for the use of Relenza. Analogs will also be indicated.
The drug is used for inhalation as an antiviral agent. It can actively resist influenza A and B. This medicine can significantly affect the duration of the disease and the symptoms of its manifestation.
The instruction to "Relenza" is very detailed.
Description of the drug
The medication is an antiviral inhalation drug. The instructions for use indicate that this tool is very effective in combating influenza A and B. In addition, this medication is widely used for the prevention and treatment of any manifestations of viral infections.
It should be noted that the use of "Relenza" significantly reduces the duration of the disease, reducing the severity of unpleasant symptomatic phenomena. This drug is released only in powder format in rotadisks. Next, consider its composition.
Composition and form of release
According to the instructions, Relenza is produced in the form of a powder of 5 milligrams. The active substance of the drug is zanamivir. In addition to the main component, the preparation also contains an auxiliary substance in the form of milk sugar.
The powder of the medicine has a very light white color. The active component removes the virus from the diseased cell to the outside, preventing its further reproduction and spread. Relenza is effective in treating nine types of viral neuraminidases.
In addition to the instructions and the drug itself, in each cardboard box there is an inhalation device. The manufacturer of the drug is a French company called Glaxo Wellcome.
Indications for use
As indicated by the instructions for use, "Relenza" is intended for the treatment of colds, and in addition, infectious diseases caused by influenza A and B viruses in children and adults. This drug is suitable for children from the age of five. In the same age range, “Relenza” is also used for prevention.
Prescribing a drug, as a rule, is performed during a period of increased danger and susceptibility to infection. The sooner treatment is started, the more effective and faster it will go.
This is confirmed by the instruction to "Relenza" and reviews about the medication.
The principle of the drug
The action of Relenza is aimed at releasing the influenza virus from diseased cells to the surface, followed by its destruction. With the inhalation method of use, the active component zanamivir was most active. Significant relief in well-being in patients occurs within a day and a half. The drug most actively manifests itself in the fight against the virus, which is in the body for no more than two days. As part of the initial application, the threshold for protection against subsequent infection is 79 percent.
Against the background of oral administration, Relenza has an extremely low absorption rate, which is only about two percent. With repeated use, the percentage does not change. As a result, the concentration of components in the blood plasma does not increase.
A single application of Relenza at a dosage of ten milligrams allows zanamivir to linger on the upper epithelium of the respiratory canals. They are the main source of penetration of various viruses. The result is a long protective reaction to the penetration of pathogenic organisms from the outside. Protection at the same time lasts from 12 to 24 hours.
The drug is usually excreted by the kidneys. This medicine does not take part in the metabolic process of the human body. Dosage adjustment in elderly patients is not required.
What else does the instruction for Relenza tell us?
How should I use the medicine?
Powder medications are used exclusively for inhalation. During treatment of influenza A or B, two procedures are carried out using five milligrams of the drug. The maximum daily dosage is twenty milligrams. For children who are older than five years, and in addition, for adults, portions of the drug are usually taken the same. If there are problems with the kidneys, the dosage does not require adjustment. This is indicated by instructions for the use of Relenza for children and adults.
As part of infection prevention, daily use of the drug is halved, that is, one inhalation is carried out during the day with five milligrams of the drug. The maximum dosage per day is ten milligrams. The duration of such a treatment course should be up to ten days. This applies to preventive measures for both adults and children. The instruction to "Relenza" describes in detail all the nuances of taking the drug.
Information on the effect of the drug on the body of pregnant women is not available, therefore, women who are in a position are not prescribed this medicine. This is especially true for the first trimester. Not used "Relenza" and nursing women. In the event that there is an urgent need for its use during pregnancy, then they are to be taken with great care and the obligatory fixation of the slightest changes in well-being. It should be emphasized that if you take the drug in this situation, there is a serious risk of a risk of healthy fetal development.
Using the device for inhalation
The device for inhalation in the package called “dishaler” includes several parts:
- A housing with a lid, and in addition, the needle there, which is used to pierce the cell in which the powder is located.
- Tray with a wheel. The tray is extendable and the wheel rotates manually.
- Case with mouthpiece.
The powder is distributed in a certain dosage according to the rotadisc, it can be stored in a device for inhalation. The puncture is carried out immediately before using the powder for inhalation. Violation of proper execution technology can significantly affect the effectiveness of Relenza. The instructions for use confirm this.
How to carry out the inhalation procedure?
After studying the structure of the diskhaler, it is important to properly understand the scheme for its use. It is necessary to act according to the following plan in order to correctly use this antiviral agent:
- You need to make sure the mouthpiece used is clean.
- Pull out the tray until clips with side notches appear.
- Next, you need to place the powder package with the cells that look down on the wheel. No punctures are necessary.
- Then you need to maximize the cover of the device. As a result, it closes and punctures the cell with powder on both sides.
- Do not lift the lid until the tray is completely installed.
- On exhalation, you should hold the mouthpiece with your mouth, without blocking the holes in it.
- Then you should inhale with your mouth through the discoaler and hold your breath for the maximum possible period of time.
- Then it remains to exhale by removing the inhaler.
In one procedure, you can take four breaths using this device, then the packaging is changed to the next. The instruction to "Relenza" for children informs that kids should not carry out such a procedure on their own. Adults should follow its progress. In addition, adults also need to change blisters with powder.
Adverse reactions during administration
In accordance with the instructions for use and reviews of "Relenza", inhalation with the use of powder may be the cause of the following side effects in humans:
- The patient develops toxic necrolysis on the skin.
- The occurrence of urticaria.
- The patient has breathing problems.
- The occurrence of bronchial spasms.
- The appearance of hallucinations.
- The occurrence of seizures.
Allergic reactions can manifest themselves not only with skin rashes, but swelling of the mucous membranes of the face and larynx is also possible.
What can I expect with an overdose of medication?
The likelihood of an accidental overdose with this drug is extremely small. It is worth noting that against the background of exceeding the established daily dosage by 44 milligrams, no adverse reactions were detected.
So it is said in the instructions for the drug "Relenza".
Special instructions for the use of the drug
Extremely carefully, the medication is prescribed to women during pregnancy if it is impossible to refuse to use it. For children under the age of five, this drug should not be used for inhalation. As part of the treatment with Relenza, patients with diseases of the upper respiratory tract, they should be informed about the need to have short-acting bronchodilators with them.
Contraindications to the use of the drug
This drug should not be used against a background of hypersensitivity to the components of its composition. Its use is also prohibited to persons who have not reached the age of five.
The cost of the drug
The price of this medicine in pharmacies varies from 1000 to 1200 rubles per pack. The value formation directly depends on the pharmacy network in which the product is purchased, and in addition, on the region of sale.
Analogs of Relenza and its synonyms
According to the therapeutic effect, the most suitable analogue of Relenza is, perhaps, the drug Tamiflu. Besides him, medicines in the form of Valtrex, Amizon, Acyclovir, Virolex, Immunal, Ibuprofen, Kagotsela, Lavomax and Panavira can also become an equally worthy replacement.
Such analogues as Ingavirin along with Cycloferon, Anaferon and Arbidol can serve as cheap analogues. The cost of all these drugs does not exceed four hundred rubles.
So, as we have already noticed, the most effective and, at the same time, suitable Relenza analogue is Tamiflu. Next, we will consider which one is stronger in its effectiveness and which is safer.
"Relenza" or "Tamiflu." Which drug is stronger?
Throughout almost the entire history of creation and the stages of implementation in clinical practice, the active substances oseltamivir (the main component of the drug "Tamiflu") and zanamivir (the main component of the drug "Relenza") were the main competitors. These medicines run almost parallel to many estimates of therapeutic efficacy. They were synthesized in the nineties of the last century. Starting from the two thousandth, these medicines have already begun to be used in the clinic. So what are these substances similar to? They are the same in the following:
- Both of these components are very effective against both types of flu: A and B.
- These drugs reduce the duration of flu symptoms by one and a half to two days.
- Drugs lower the overall mortality rate among patients with severe flu.
Thus, Relenza and Tamiflu are very similar in their antiviral effects. On the plus side, according to observations of the last eight years, 99 percent of influenza virus strains still remain highly susceptible to both of these neuraminidase inhibitors.
This is confirmed by the instructions for use with Tamiflu and Relenze.
Which of these drugs is safer?
Continuing to discuss the effectiveness of treatment with the help of Tamiflu and Relenza drugs, a comparison is required according to the safety criteria for the use of these drugs, and in addition, according to the number of contraindications. During clinical trials, it was found that "Relenza" exacerbates the symptoms of asthma and other obstructive pulmonary diseases, and in addition, its use can lead to bronchial spasms.
Tamiflu is not characterized by such adverse reactions, however, patients may experience nausea along with vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, headache, rash, and allergic reactions. In Japan (this country is considered a major consumer of this drug), a significant number of cases of nervous arousal in patients were reported, and in addition, confusion, hallucinations and anxiety, especially when using the medication in the age group of ten to nineteen years.
According to the instructions, the drug "Tamiflu" is indicated for adults and children, starting from the age of one. As for the "Relenza", it is recommended only starting from the age of five. True, in some countries the rules of application are regulated differently. For example, the age from which Relenza can be consumed in Canada has been increased to twelve years. In the USA, Relenza can be used starting from the age of seven.
It should be emphasized that the Relenza and Tamiflu drugs have passed many different clinical trials. In the process of conducting studies on various age groups of patients infected with various serotypes of the virus, the therapeutic efficacy of these drugs was compared. For example, among children aged six to ten years who developed influenza B, both of these drugs reduced the duration of the fever by 2.5 days. And after two days of taking these funds in ninety percent of patients, the temperature dropped to normal values.
Storage conditions for the drug
Instructions for use with Relenza tablets indicate that for preservation of useful properties this medicine must be in a dry room. At the same time, the temperature of its storage should not exceed thirty degrees. In pharmacies, this medication is sold strictly according to medical prescriptions. Its shelf life, as a rule, is five years from the date of manufacture.
So it is said in the instruction to "Relenza". Reviews are presented below.
We learn what people write about this drug, which happened to use it.
Drug Reviews
One of the drawbacks of the Relenza medicine is that people call it too high a cost, which is more than a thousand rubles. Otherwise, this medication has proven itself very well. In their reviews of Relenza, people report that this medicine very quickly removes unpleasant symptoms of the disease and makes you feel better.
On forums and websites, 73 percent of consumers recommend this powder for use by other people. Judging by the reviews, people are very happy with the treatment with this medication. They write that it is effective not only in the fight against the disease, but also in the framework of the prevention of viral diseases. In this regard, patients are grateful to this drug for helping to avoid colds, otolaryngological diseases and flu, significantly accelerating the healing process when a person is already sick.
Also, people like that this drug can be used already from the age of five, which mainly pleases young parents. Another convenience of this medicine, consumers also consider it a long shelf life, which is five years.
Now we turn directly to complaints and criticism. For example, consumers say that during periods of epidemic, this drug can be difficult to buy at the pharmacy. Another inconvenience is that the use of Relenza requires that you carefully read the instructions in order to properly prepare the device for the inhalation procedure. It is often noted that many have difficulties with this.
Thus, many people like this drug. People are happy that Relenza literally puts them on their feet in the event of a catarrhal illness. And the main disadvantages of this medication are consumers consider its high price and inhaler inconvenient to use.
We reviewed the instructions for use "Relenza". Reviews and analogues of this medication have also been indicated.