ABOUT RELENZA

Overview

RELENZA is an antiviral drug and is recommended for use by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization in the event of a flu pandemic.[23,28] The US government is currently stockpiling RELENZA for use should a pandemic occur.[20]

WHO reports that wide-scale use of RELENZA and other antivirals could reduce flu-related illness, complications, hospitalizations and other demands on the healthcare system and could also potentially reduce fatalities.[28]

Generally, the antivirals of choice during a pandemic are neuraminidase inhibitors such as RELENZA because they are less likely to be associated with the development of drug resistance.[28] In the US, these drugs would potentially be used in both the treatment and prevention of influenza during a pandemic.[29]

Stockpiling essential to pandemic preparedness

Antiviral agents such as RELENZA could play a valuable role in the response to pandemic flu—if they are available in sufficient supply.[28]

The federal government is currently stockpiling RELENZA as part of its plan to stockpile quantities of antiviral drugs sufficient to treat 25% of the US population.[20,22]

Learn why it is essential to order RELENZA as part of your pandemic planning program.

For more information about RELENZA and seasonal flu, click on one of the following:

     About RELENZA

     Reducing the chance of getting the flu

     Flu treatment

You can also view these several videos about RELENZA:

     How to Use RELENZA to Reduce the Risk of Getting the Flu

     How to Use RELENZA to Treat the Flu

     How to Use the RELENZA Diskhaler

     Special Considerations for Children


next: RELENZA Resistance Profile

No data are available on the use of RELENZA in patients infected with H5N1.

 
Important Safety Information About RELENZA

• Serious cases of bronchospasm, including fatalities, have been reported during treatment with RELENZA in patients with and without underlying airway disease. Many of these cases were reported during postmarketing, and causality was difficult to assess
  
• RELENZA SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED IN ANY PATIENT WHO DEVELOPS BRONCHOSPASM OR DECLINE IN RESPIRATORY FUNCTION; immediate treatment and hospitalization may be required
  
• Safety and efficacy have not been demonstrated in patients with high-risk underlying medical conditions
  
• Patients should be instructed in the use of the delivery system. Instructions should include a demonstration whenever possible
  
• If treatment with RELENZA is considered for a patient with underlying airway disease, the potential risks and benefits should be carefully weighed. If a decision is made to prescribe RELENZA for such a patient, this should be done only under conditions of careful monitoring of respiratory function, close observation, and appropriate supportive care including availability of fast-acting bronchodilators
  
• Common adverse events in treatment and prophylaxis studies with RELENZA were nausea, diarrhea, sinusitis, viral respiratory infections, headaches, nasal signs and symptoms. The incidence of these adverse events was similar in both groups for RELENZA and placebo-treated groups
  
• Please see complete Prescribing Information for RELENZA