Flu Prevention
When the flu is near, reduce your
chance of catching it by using RELENZA
Your best protection from the flu is an annual flu shot. But even if you have received a flu shot, you can still get the flu. That’s because the flu shot may not protect you from all the strains of the flu. It also takes your body about 2 weeks to build up its flu protection after receiving a flu shot. So if you are spending time with someone who has the flu, or if there is a flu outbreak in your community, you may still be at risk.
RELENZA is approved to help children and adults age 5 years and older prevent catching Influenza A and B in community and household settings. Using an antiviral medicine like RELENZA can make you less likely to catch the flu. Talk to your doctor to find out if RELENZA is right for you.
What else can you do?
In addition to getting your flu shot and talking to your doctor about RELENZA, here are some helpful tips to help prevent the flu:
- Stay back. Try not to get too close to others during the flu season – especially people who are coughing or sneezing. If you’re coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth to protect others.
- Stay clean. Keep your hands away from your face as much as possible. If you get the virus on your hands, you can infect yourself by touching your nose. To help keep your hands germ-free, wash them frequently throughout the day.
- Stay home. If you’re sick, stay home so you don’t spread the flu to others.
If you already have the flu, RELENZA may help you feel better sooner.
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Important Safety Information about RELENZA
Some people have had bronchospasm (wheezing) or serious breathing problems when they used RELENZA. Many but not all of these people had previous asthma or other pulmonary disease. RELENZA has not been shown to shorten the time of flu in people with these diseases. Because of the risk of side effects and because it has not been shown to help them, RELENZA is not best for people with chronic respiratory disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
If you develop symptoms such as wheezing or shortness of breath, stop using RELENZA and contact your doctor right away.
If you have diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and your doctor has prescribed RELENZA, you should have a fast-acting, inhaled bronchodilator available for your use. If you are scheduled to use an inhaled bronchodilator at the same time as RELENZA, use the inhaled bronchodilator before using RELENZA.
Other kinds of infections can appear like influenza or occur along with influenza, and need different kinds of treatment. Contact your doctor if you feel worse or develop new symptoms during or after treatment, or if your flu symptoms do not start to get better.
In studies, the most common side effects with RELENZA have been headaches; diarrhea; nausea; vomiting; nasal irritation; bronchitis; cough; sinusitis; ear, nose, and throat infections; and dizziness. Other side effects that have been reported, but were not as common, include rashes and allergic reactions, some of which were severe.
People with influenza may be at increased risk of seizures, confusion, or abnormal behavior early in their illness. Therefore, patients should be observed for signs of unusual behavior, and a healthcare professional contacted if needed.
This list of side effects is not complete. Your doctor or pharmacist can discuss with you a more complete list of possible side effects with RELENZA. Talk to your doctor promptly about any side effects you have.
Important Safety Information
Some people have had bronchospasm (wheezing) or serious breathing problems when they used RELENZA. Many but not all of these people had previous asthma or pulmonary disease.