Relenza is believed to work by inhibiting a viral enzyme called neuraminidase. By inhibiting this enzyme, the drug helps to prevent the release of the virus from infected cells. Essentially, Relenza does not directly help the cells that have already been infected; instead, it prevents other cells from being infected as well. Relenza is active against both
influenza A and influenza B viruses.
Relenza is approved to prevent the flu in children as young as five years old. For
flu treatment, it is approved for children as young as seven years old.
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Relenza for treating something other than the uses discussed in this article. This is called an "
off-label" use. At this time, there are no universally accepted off-label Relenza uses.
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