Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using RELENZA?
RELENZA contains the active ingredient zanamivir. RELENZA is used to treat Influenza,
which is a specific viral infection.
2. What should I know before I use RELENZA?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to RELENZA or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with RELENZA and affect how it works.
4. How do I use RELENZA?
For the treatment of influenza, you should breathe in the contents of two blisters,
twice a day (usually morning and evening), for five days.
For the prevention of influenza, breathe in the contents of two blisters once a day
only.
5. What should I know while using RELENZA?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using RELENZA.
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Things you should not do
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Do not stop taking RELENZA, or change the dose, without first checking with your doctor
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours
Do not use RELENZA to treat any other complaints
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Driving or using machines
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Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how RELENZA
ROTADISKS affects you.
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Looking after your medicine
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Store below 30°C
Store in original packaging
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6. Are there any side effects?
Side effects that have been reported include feeling lightheaded and fainting. Serious
side effects include allergic reaction, shortness of breath, wheezing, skin rash which
may blister, a widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin, and extensive peeling
of the skin on much of the body surface.
Active ingredient(s):
zanamivir
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using RELENZA ROTADISKS (hereafter
referred to as RELENZA). You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using RELENZA.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using RELENZA?
RELENZA contains the active ingredient zanamivir 5mg.
RELENZA is an antiviral.
RELENZA is
used to treat Influenza, which is a specific viral infection
.
RELENZA may be given to prevent infection due to influenza in circumstances where
prophylaxis is justified (eg when no suitable vaccine is available for the circulating
influenza or when there is a pandemic). It is not recommended for routine prophylaxis
against influenza infection.
Using a DISKHALER, RELENZA is delivered directly to the primary site of infection
in the lungs. It works by destroying a chemical on the surface of the influenza virus.
This stops the virus multiplying and spreading throughout the nose, lungs and air
passages. However, vaccination remains the primary method of preventing and controlling
influenza.
RELENZA does not work for the common cold or virus infections other than influenza.
Best results are obtained by taking RELENZA as soon as possible after developing symptoms.
2. What should I know before I use RELENZA?
Warnings
Do not use RELENZA if:
you are allergic to zanamivir, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this
leaflet. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine
you have ever had a severe intolerance to lactose or any other sugars, or to milk
protein
Check with your doctor if you:
have any other medical conditions
asthma or other breathing problems, or if you normally use an asthma inhaler
take any medicines for any other condition
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Do not take RELENZA if you are breastfeeding, pregnant or trying to become pregnant,
unless your doctor says you should.
Children
There is no information on the use of RELENZA in children less than 5 years. The same
dose is recommended in children between 5 and 12 years of age, as in adults. An adult
should supervise the use of the delivery device when RELENZA is given to children.
Elderly
There is limited experience with the use of RELENZA in elderly patients (65 years
and older). The same dose is recommended in elderly patients.
Patients with asthma
There is a risk RELENZA could cause increased difficulty with breathing, especially
if you have asthma or other breathing problems.
If you have asthma or breathing problems such as wheezing or shortness of breath which
gets worse while taking RELENZA you should stop taking it and contact your physician.
If you have asthma or breathing problems and take RELENZA you should have a fast-acting
bronchodilator available. If you are to take inhaled bronchodilators at the same time
as RELENZA you should use the bronchodilator before taking RELENZA.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with RELENZA and affect how it works.
RELENZA is unlikely to be affected by other drugs taken for influenza (for example,
paracetamol or cough medicine).
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect RELENZA.
4. How do I use RELENZA?
How much to take
Treatment of influenza
breathe in the contents of two blisters, twice a day (usually morning and evening),
for five days
Prevention of influenza
breathe in the contents of two blisters once a day only
When to take RELENZA
other inhaled drugs e.g. inhaled asthma medication which is due to be taken at approximately
the same time as RELENZA should be taken before taking RELENZA
follow the instructions provided and use RELENZA until your doctor tells you to stop
Treatment of influenza
start taking RELENZA as soon as possible but no later than forty-eight hours after
developing symptoms to get the best effect
Prevention of influenza
start taking RELENZA as soon as possible after an outbreak is declared, or after coming
into contact with someone who has contracted influenza.
How to take RELENZA via diskhaler
RELENZA comes as a fine powder. This powder is in small pockets (known as blisters)
in a round foil sheet, known as a disk
the medicine in your RELENZA disk is taken by breathing it in through your mouth using
only the RELENZA DISKHALER.
place the Disk in the DISKHALER device and breathe the powder in through your mouth
following the instruction sheet that is in the box containing your DISKHALER.
sit in a relaxed position and do not hold your breath longer than is comfortable after
inhaling the dose.
If you forget to use RELENZA
Take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking it as you would normally.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next
dose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you use too much RELENZA
If you think that you have used too much RELENZA, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using RELENZA?
Things you should do
If you have a reliever inhaler to use for asthma or other breathing problems make
sure the inhaler is available, as very rarely you may need to use it after using RELENZA.
Have someone with you while you are inhaling the dose of RELENZA.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
show any signs of unusual behaviour. People with influenza, particularly children
and adolescents, may be at an increased risk of seizures, confusion, or abnormal behaviour
early in their illness. These events may occur after beginning RELENZA or may occur
when influenza is not treated. These events are uncommon but may result in accidental
injury to the patient.
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using RELENZA.
Things you should not do
do not miss any doses
do not stop taking RELENZA, or change the dose, without first checking with your doctor
do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours
do not use RELENZA to treat any other complaints
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how RELENZA
affects you.
Looking after your medicine
store below 30°C
store in original packaging
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do
not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date or if the packaging is torn or shows
signs of tampering.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What RELENZA contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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zanamivir
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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lactose monohydrate
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Potential allergens
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Contains lactose (milk protein)
Does not contain gluten
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What RELENZA looks like
RELENZA is a fine powder packed in small "blisters" on a circular foil Disk. Each
Disk has four blisters containing 5 mg of zanamivir and 20 mg of lactose monohydrate.
Each pack contains five Disks (AUST R 66962).
Who distributes RELENZA ROTADISKS
GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd
Level 4, 436 Johnston Street,
Abbotsford, Victoria, 3067
Phone: 1800 033 109
Trade marks are owned by or licensed to the GSK Healthcare group of companies.
©2025 GSK Healthcare group of companies or its licensor.
This leaflet was prepared on 05 May 2025.
Version 5.0