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Relenza
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Relenza is a powder that is inhaled twice a day for five days from a breath-activated plastic device called a Diskhaler. Patients should get instruction from a health-care practitioner in the proper use of the Diskhaler, including a demonstration if required. Relenza is usually dosed 2 inhalations twice a day, approximately 12 hours apart for 5 days. Whenever possible, two doses should be taken on the first day of treatment as long as there is at least 2 hours between the 2 doses. On the following days, the doses should be about 12 hours apart at approximately the same time each day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
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Relenza is the first in a new class of anti-viral drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors. Neuraminidase is an enzyme which the virus needs in order to spread and infect other healthy cells in the respiratory tract. Delivered directly to the respiratory tract where the virus resides, Relenza inhibits the action of neuraminidase and helps prevent the virus from spreading and infecting other healthy cells. Clinical studies show that Relenza not only reduces the duration of flu but ... significantly reduces symptoms. Some studies have also shown reduction in associated complications such as pneumonia.
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When first marketed in the USA in 1999/00, Relenza captured only 25% of the influenza anti-viral market, despite a huge promotional campaign. By the end of that season, Tamiflu was outselling Relenza 3:1. During that season, Relenza experienced worldwide safety warnings involving the risk of bronchospasm and death. Glaxo then reduced the marketing of Relenza, and Tamiflu's dominance increased. More than US$20m worth of Relenza sold by Glaxo in the first US season was returned to the company in the next two seasons because Relenza's actual sales to patients were far less than expected, highlighting the fact that the results of the first season were even worse than first thought.
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Relenza belongs to a new class of compounds called neuraminidase inhibitors. Neuraminidase is an enzyme, which breaks the bond holding new virus particles to the infected cell. Once broken, the new viruses are free to infect other cells, spreading the infection. Relenza is thought to work by inhibiting breakage of the bond and preventing release of the new viruses, therefore interrupting the spread of infection within the respiratory tract.
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While there is a lot of interest in Relenza and in flu vaccines, Relenza is actually not a flu vaccine. Relenza is a medicine to treat the flu (infection caused by influenza virus. It belongs to a group of medicines called neuraminidase inhibitors. These medications attack the influenza virus and prevent it from spreading inside your body. Relenza treats flu at its source by attacking the virus that causes the flu, rather than simply masking symptoms. Relenza is not a vaccine.
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Relenza is not recommended for people suffering from asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or any other chronic lung disease. If you find yourself in any of these situations you should talk to your doctor before starting treatment with Relenza. Also, treatment with Relenza should be stopped immediately if you develop illnesses like bronchospasm or decreased lung function.
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Relenza