Available Flu Drugs »
Relenza
Relenza (Zanamivir) represents a new class of antiviral drugs and a
new way to treat the influenza virus, more commonly known as "the
flu". Relenza works simply and directly by preventing the spread
of influenza from one cell to another within the respiratory tract.
To target the site of infection directly, Relenza is inhaled through
the airways where the flu virus replicates. With this approach, the
medication begins to function within seconds to immobilize and kill
the influenza virus.
Relenza is the first in a new generation of specific treatments for
the influenza virus known as neuraminidase inhibitors, which work by
blocking the action of the viral enzyme associated with influenza. This
prevents the virus from infecting healthy cells nearby. The drug inhibits
the spread of both the influenza A and B viruses and is effective against
all influenza subtypes.
Relenza’s Clinical trials results showed:
• Positive effect both on shortening duration of illness and reducing
severity of symptoms;
• Reduction of up to 2 days in alleviation of flu symptoms;
• 61% reduction in antibiotic usage and a 70% reduction in complications
in "high risk" groups; and
• That the drug is safe and easy to use.
Due to its effectiveness, the drug is now approved in over 50 countries
for therapeutic use and in eight countries for prevention. The major
markets where the product has been approved for therapeutic use are
the U.S., the European Union and Japan. Reimbursement coverage is in
place for a significant portion of the market in the U.S. and Japan,
and for high-risk groups in the U.K. These three markets represent approximately
85% of the world pharmaceutical market.
