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Relenza Flu Medicine
Relenza® (zanamivir) is a prescription medication used for the following purposes:
- Preventing the flu (such as during flu outbreaks)
- Treating the flu to help shorten the duration of symptoms.
Relenza is inhaled, which makes it different from other flu medications -- it also means that it may not be recommended for some people, such as those who have certain lung diseases. Typical use calls for the drug to be inhaled once or twice day, depending on a number of factors. When used to treat the flu, Relenza is ideally started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
(For more details about this flu medicine, click Relenza. This article covers the factors that affect your dosage, side effects, things to discuss with your healthcare provider, and more.)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD