Question 1

are tamiflu and relenza (zanamivir) effective antiviral drugs?

Accepted Answer

When used properly.: Their usefulness is limited to influenza (real flu, not "flu-like illness") if used in the first 48 hours of the illness.

Question 2

do you have to have a prescription for  relenza (zanamivir)?

Accepted Answer

Relenaza prescriptio: The answer is a simple 'yes'.

Question 3

can i get  relenza (zanamivir) for flu prevention?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Its a prescription medication, so ask your md.

Question 4

how effective is  relenza (zanamivir)?

Accepted Answer

Very Effective: Relenza (zanamivir) is a treatment for influenza(flu) that is administered by inhaler. Dose is 2 puffs twice a day for 5 days. It is an alternative to tamiflu which is a pill that is taken twice a day for 5 days. Most patients prefer the pill & the only reason I use Relenza (zanamivir) is if the patient took tamiflu & experienced side effects. Both medicines are specific & effective for treating influenza.

Question 5

what happens if you take tamiflu & relenza (zanamivir) that is about to expire?

Accepted Answer

Effective: It should be effective if the expiration date is not past and the medicine has been properly stored.

Question 6

can i get tamiflu or relenza (zanamivir) and keep it for flu prevention if i need it?

Accepted Answer

Yes: I do this often for my patients who travel or are at high risk.  Ask your physician for this.

Question 7

is tamiflu or relenza (zanamivir) effective for swine flu?

Accepted Answer

Partly: It may shorten the course of illness by a couple of days if started early in the course of infection.

Question 8

should you take antivirals such as tamiflu/relenza if you have the flu & asthma?

Accepted Answer

I would: Although you need to start them in the first 48hrs , these meds do reduce the replication of flu germs and for many make the illness more tolerable. For about 30% the meds will not help at all, due to drug resistence. If taken too late, there is less benefit if drug sensitive.

Question 9

how can i tell if i have hives or a drug allergy?

Accepted Answer

Subtle: hives can occur as part of an allergy syndrome.  people with chronic hives or who have an inborn low threshold for hives have difficulty differentiating simple hives from drug allergy.  If the drug reaction is IgE-mediated, or occurs via a similar pathway without IgE, then one would expect additional symptoms other than hives (breathing problem, dizzy, nausea, swelling, headache, etc)

Question 10

is there a blood test to determine drug allergies?

Accepted Answer

What is the context: Depends on what you are looking for. No simple test. There are specific tests for certain things (penicillin).  There are a few tests done to determine if an individual can tolerate a certain med (G6PD). Mostly, though, it comes down to trial of a med and knowledge  of what to look for. For example if you get a cough with ACE inhib (lisinopril) your DR will change you to ARB (valsartan)

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Doctor answers about:

Relenza allergy drugs

A member asked:

Are tamiflu and relenza (zanamivir) effective antiviral drugs?

A member asked:

Do you have to have a prescription for relenza (zanamivir)?

A member asked:

Can i get relenza (zanamivir) for flu prevention?

A member asked:

How effective is relenza (zanamivir)?

A member asked:

What happens if you take tamiflu & relenza (zanamivir) that is about to expire?

A member asked:

Can i get tamiflu or relenza (zanamivir) and keep it for flu prevention if i need it?

A member asked:

Is tamiflu or relenza (zanamivir) effective for swine flu?

A member asked:

Should you take antivirals such as tamiflu/relenza if you have the flu & asthma?

A member asked:

How can i tell if i have hives or a drug allergy?

A member asked:

Is there a blood test to determine drug allergies?

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