DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Zanamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor that prevents the spread of influenza A and B viruses, the viruses responsible for the "flu." Neuraminidase is an enzyme that is required by the influenza viruses to spread from infected cells to healthy cells.
Zanamivir is a white to off-white powder with a solubility of approximately 18 mg/mL in water at 20
Antiviral Activity: The antiviral activity of zanamivir against laboratory and clinical isolates of influenza virus was determined in cell culture assays.
The concentrations of zanamivir required for inhibition of influenza virus were highly variable depending on the assay method used and virus isolate tested.
Zanamivir (INN) (IPA: [zəˈnæmɪvir]) is a neuraminidase inhibitor used in the treatment of and prophylaxis of both Influenzavirus A and Influenzavirus B.
Zanamivir, therefore, is administered by inhalation - a route that was chosen for patient compliance with therapy.
Zanamivir was the first of the neuraminidase inhibitors.
en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Zanamivir (843 words)
MedlinePlus Drug Information: Zanamivir (Inhalation—Systemic)(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-10)
Zanamivir (zan-AM-e-veer) is used in the treatment of the infection caused by the flu virus (influenza A and influenza B).
Zanamivir may not be for you if you are severely sick or have a breathing problem (like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
Zanamivir must be started within 48 hours after the onset of signs and symptoms of the flu.
Zanamivir is an orally inhaled powder currently approved in 19 countries for the treatment of, and in two for the prophylaxis of influenza A and B. Zanamivir is a competitive inhibitor of the neuraminidase glycoprotein, which is essential in the infective cycle of influenza viruses.
Zanamivir is administered via inhalation, resulting in direct delivery to the respiratory tract, where the concentration has been calculated to be more than 1,000 times as high as the IC for neuraminidase.
Zanamivir is indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated acute illness due to influenza A and B viruses in adults and paediatric patients (EU: 12 years or older; US: 7 years and older) who have been symptomatic for no more than 2 days.
Zanamivir is an antiviral drug that hastens recovery from the flu.
Zanamivir has been known to cause serious and potentially fatal breathing problems, especially in people who have asthma or other chronic pulmonary disorders.
Zanamivir is generally not recommended for anyone with a chronic pulmonary disease.
www.drugs.com /pdr/ZANAMIVIR.html (756 words)
Relenza - Drugs & Vitamins - Drug Library - DrugDigest(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-10)
Zanamivir may decrease the length of time you experience symptoms of the flu by 1—2 days.
Zanamivir may also help to reduce the risk of spreading the flu to others.
Zanamivir inhalation powder is for regular inhalation through the mouth.
Zanamivir is used to treat some types of influenza (flu) in patients 12 years and older who have had symptoms of the flu for 2 days or less.
Zanamivir is in a class of drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors.
Zanamivir helps shorten the time you have flu symptoms such as nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, muscle aches, tiredness, headache, fever, and chills.
Zanamivir acts by inhibiting an enzyme known as neuraminidase, which results in the virus not being able to reproduce itself.
Unfortunately zanamivir has the drawback that it can cause tightness of the tubes in the lungs (bronchospasm) in some patients, and it is not recommended for people with airways disease, eg asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Under the current NICE guidelines, zanamivir is only recommended for the treatment of influenza in adults in the at risk groups, who can start treatment within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
NICE conducted a widespread search, and examined studies that were randomised, compared zanamivir with placebo or current therapy in adults with influenza A or B infections.
Rates of complications of influenza infection were lower with zanamivir than with placebo (Table 2), for all patients (intention to treat analysis) and for those with influenza infection and the high risk group.
Randomised trial of efficacy and safety of inhaled zanamivir in treatment of influenza A and B virus infections.
