Home Drug Guide Zanamivir

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Zanamivir

Brand Names Relenza

Classification

Therapeutic: Antiviral for influenza

Pharmacological: Neuraminidase inhibitor

FDA Approved Indications

  • Treatment of uncomplicated acute illness due to influenza A and B in patients aged 7 years and older
  • Prophylaxis of influenza in individuals aged 5 years and older

Mechanism of Action

Zanamivir inhibits the influenza virus neuraminidase enzyme, preventing viral release from infected cells and limiting the spread of the virus within the respiratory tract.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: DPI (dry powder inhaler) inhalation: 10 mg (two inhalations) twice daily for 5 days for treatment; once daily for 10 days for prophylaxis.

Pediatric: Same as adult dosing for children aged 7 years and older.

Geriatric: No specific dosage adjustment needed, but assess lung function regularly.

Renal Impairment: Use caution; no specific dose adjustment recommended, but monitor renal function.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific dosing information available; use with caution.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed via inhalation.

Distribution: Primarily local action in respiratory tract; systemic absorption is minimal.

Metabolism: Minimal; excreted mostly unchanged.

Excretion: Renal excretion of unchanged drug.

Half Life: Approximately 2-3 hours.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to zanamivir or excipients.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with chronic respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma, COPD) due to risk of bronchospasm.
  • Assess for signs of allergic reactions.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Headache (Common)
  • Nasal congestion or sore throat (Common)
  • Cough (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Bronchospasm, wheezing in asthmatic or COPD patients (Serious but rare)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions, including skin rash, allergic reactions (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • None significant reported

Drug-Food Interactions

  • None

Drug-Herb Interactions

  • None reported

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Assess lung function and respiratory status before and during therapy. Be alert for signs of bronchospasm.

Diagnoses:

  • Ineffective airway clearance related to bronchospasm or airway obstruction.

Implementation: Instruct patient on proper inhaler technique. Monitor for adverse reactions.

Evaluation: Evaluate symptom relief and monitor for adverse reactions.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Use inhaler as directed, inhale deeply and hold breath for 10 seconds.
  • Report any breathing difficulties or allergic reactions.
  • Do not use for influenza prevention if not prescribed; only use for indicated prophylaxis or treatment.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None currently],
  • genetic_factors':'None known.
  • lab_test_interference':'None reported.'},
  • overdose_management
  • signs_symptoms":"Overdose unlikely but may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness." ,
  • treatment":"Supportive care, monitor respiratory status, consult poison control if needed." ,
  • storage_and_handling
  • storage_conditions":"Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight." ,
  • stability":"Stable at room temperature for at least 2 years." ,
  • references
  • FDA Prescribing Information for Relenza, recent clinical guidelines on influenza management.

Genetic Factors: None known.

Lab Test Interference: None reported.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or bronchospasm.

Treatment: Supportive care including airway management, monitoring, and symptomatic treatment. Consult poison control for guidance.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and direct sunlight.

Stability: Stable for at least 2 years when stored properly.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.