Influenza Prophylaxis
in a Community
When there is a seasonal influenza outbreak in a community, RELENZA can help protect your patients from infection
In a study of 1107 healthy adults at the start of influenza outbreaks in two academic settings, 6.1% of adults receiving placebo developed symptomatic, laboratory-confirmed influenza versus 2.0% of adults receiving RELENZA prophylaxis (10 mg once daily for 10 days). [7]
Study Characteristics
- Randomized, double-blind study
- 1107 subjects; 554 placebo; 553 RELENZA
- Mean age: 29 years; age range: 18-69 years.
- Symptomatic illness was defined as having 2 or more of the following symptoms on 3 or more successive diary card entries: fever or feverishness; cough; headache; sore throat; and myalgia.
- Fever was defined as a temperature of at least 37.8°C
- Study conducted at two Midwestern universities in the U.S. during the 1997-1998 influenza season.
Recommended dose in community setting
The recommended dose of RELENZA for prophylaxis of influenza in adults and adolescents in a community setting is 10 mg once daily for 28 days. [1]
RELENZA is well-tolerated
RELENZA is well-tolerated, with side effects comparable to placebo. [6] For information on adverse events during prophylaxis use in a community setting, click here. For information about serious adverse events such as bronchospasm and allergic-like reactions and for safety information in patients with underlying airways disease, see Prescribing Information for RELENZA.
Important information on nursing home setting
RELENZA has not been proven effective for prophylaxis of influenza in the nursing home setting.
next:
RELENZA’S Safety Profile During Prophylaxis Use
Important Safety Information
RELENZA IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR TREATMENT OR PROPHYLAXIS OF INFLUENZA IN INDIVIDUALS WITH UNDERLYING AIRWAY DISEASE (SUCH AS ASTHMA OR CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE).
- Serious cases of bronchospasm, including fatalities, have been reported during treatment with RELENZA in patients with and without underlying airway disease. Many of these cases were reported during postmarketing, and causality was difficult to assess
- RELENZA SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED IN ANY PATIENT WHO DEVELOPS BRONCHOSPASM OR DECLINE IN RESPIRATORY FUNCTION; immediate treatment and hospitalization may be required
- RELENZA has not been proven effective for treatment of influenza in individuals with underlying airways disease.
- Patients should be instructed in the use of the delivery system. Instructions should include a demonstration whenever possible
- If treatment with RELENZA is considered for a patient with underlying airway disease, the potential risks and benefits should be carefully weighed. If a decision is made to prescribe RELENZA for such a patient, this should be done only under conditions of careful monitoring of respiratory function, close observation, and appropriate supportive care including availability of fast-acting bronchodilators
- Common adverse events in treatment and prophylaxis studies with RELENZA were nausea, diarrhea, sinusitis, viral respiratory infections, headaches, nasal signs and symptoms. The incidence of these adverse events was similar in both groups for RELENZA and placebo-treated groups
Click here for Complete Prescribing Information for RELENZA.
|
|
