Definition of Swine Flu: Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. The virus is contagious and can spread from human to human. The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Drugs associated with Swine Flu
The following drugs and medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of Swine Flu. This service should be used as a supplement to, and NOT a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.
DRUGS NAME:
1.Relenza.
2.Tamiflu.
1.Relenza
Generic Name: zanamivir (za NA mih veer)
Brand Names: Relenza
Brand Names: Relenza
Relenza is an antiviral medication. It blocks the actions of viruses in your body.
Relenza is used to treat flu symptoms caused by influenza virus in patients who have had symptoms for less than 2 days. It may also be given to prevent influenza in people who may be exposed but do not yet have symptoms. Relenza will not treat the common cold.
Important information about Relenza
Relenza is used to treat flu symptoms caused by influenza virus in patients who have had symptoms for less than 2 days. Relenza may also be given to prevent influenza in people who may be exposed but do not yet have symptoms. This medicine will not treat the common cold.
Do not use a nebulizer or ventilator to give Relenza. The inhalation powder should never be mixed with a liquid.
Treatment with Relenza should start as soon as possible when flu symptoms appear, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose.
Do not use this medication to treat flu symptoms in a child younger than 7 years old. Children as young as 5 may use the medication to prevent flu symptoms. Do not use an inhaled nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within 2 weeks before or 48 hours after using Relenza. This medication may interfere with the drug action of FluMist, making the vaccine less effective. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Before using Relenza tell your doctor if you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or any other chronic lung condition. Serious or life-threatening bronchospasm (difficulty breathing) and other effects on the lungs can occur while using this medicine. Stop using Relenza and call your doctor at once if you have wheezing or severe breathing problems.
If you have asthma, COPD, or other chronic lung disease, make sure you have a fast-acting inhaled bronchodilator available to treat any serious breathing problems that may occur while using Relenza. Fast-acting bronchodilators include albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol (Alupent), and pirbuterol (Maxair). Talk with your doctor about which medicine is best for you.
Some people using Relenza have had rare side effects of confusion, delirium and self-injury. These symptoms have occurred most often in children. It is not known whether this medicine was the exact cause of these symptoms. However, anyone using zanamivir should be watched closely for signs of confusion or unusual behavior. Call a doctor at once if you or the child using this medicine has any of these symptoms. Relenza should not be used in place of getting a yearly flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control recommends an annual flu shot to help protect you each year from new strains of influenza virus.
Before using Relenza
Relenza should not be used in place of getting a yearly flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control recommends an annual flu shot to help protect you each year from new strains of influenza virus.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to zanamivir or to lactose.
Before using Relenza, tell your doctor if you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or any other chronic lung condition. Serious or life-threatening bronchospasm (difficulty breathing) and other effects on the lungs can occur while using this medicine.
If you have asthma, COPD, or other chronic lung disease, make sure you have a fast-acting inhaled bronchodilator available to treat any serious breathing problems that may occur while using Relenza. Fast-acting bronchodilators include albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol (Alupent), and pirbuterol (Maxair). Talk with your doctor about which medicine is best for you.
If you are scheduled to use a bronchodilator at the same time as Relenza, use the inhaler first.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Relenza will harm an unborn baby. However, not receiving this medication to prevent influenza could be harmful to the baby if the mother becomes infected with a disease that Relenza could prevent. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Your doctor will decide whether you should receive Relenza, especially if you have a high risk of infection with H1N1 influenza (also called "swine" flu).
It is not known whether zanamivir passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Relenza without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not use this medication to treat flu symptoms in a child younger than 7 years old. Children as young as 5 may use the medication to prevent flu symptoms.
How should I use Relenza?
Use Relenza exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Treatment with Relenza should start as soon as possible when flu symptoms appear, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose.
Relenza is packaged in disk-shaped foil packs that contain 4 blisters of medicine. These disks are placed into a device called a DISKHALER that you will use to inhale the medicine. The device opens and loads a blister of Relenza each time you use the inhaler. The disk device is not to be used with a spacer. Follow the patient instructions provided with the DISKHALER.
Do not use a nebulizer or ventilator to give Relenza. The inhalation powder should never be mixed with a liquid.
Do not use any other medicines in the DISKHALER. Always put the cover back on the device when not in use.
To treat flu symptoms: Use 2 inhalations every 12 hours for 5 days. Your doctor may tell you to use two doses on the first day of treatment, spaced at least 2 hours apart. On the following days, the doses should be spaced 12 hours apart. Follow your doctor's instructions.
To prevent flu symptoms: Use 2 inhalations every 24 hours for 10 to 28 days. Follow your doctor's instructions.
If you have a chronic respiratory disease such as asthma or COPD and you are scheduled to use an inhaled bronchodilator at the same time as Relenza, use the inhaled bronchodilator before using Relenza.
Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse. Store Relenza at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Throw away the DISKHALER after your treatment ends.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is within 2 hours of your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Call your doctor if you miss several doses.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while using Relenza?
Do not use an inhaled nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within 2 weeks before or 48 hours after using Relenza. It may interfere with the drug action of FluMist, making the vaccine less effective. Follow your doctor's instructions.
2.Tamiflu
Generic Name: oseltamivir (os el TAM ih veer)
Brand Names: Tamiflu
Brand Names: Tamiflu
Tamiflu is an antiviral medication that blocks the actions of influenza virus types A and B in your body.
Tamiflu is used to treat flu symptoms caused by influenza virus in patients who have had symptoms for less than 2 days. Tamiflu may also be given to prevent influenza in people who may be exposed but do not yet have symptoms. It will not treat the common cold.
Tamiflu may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide
Important information about Tamiflu
Tamiflu is used to treat flu symptoms caused by influenza virus in patients who have had symptoms for less than 2 days. Tamiflu may also be given to prevent influenza in people who may be exposed but do not yet have symptoms. Oseltamivir will not treat the common cold.
Before taking Tamiflu, tell your doctor if you have received a nasal flu vaccine within the past 2 weeks, or if you have kidney disease, heart disease, lung disease, or any other serious disease or health problem. Also tell your doctor if you have any condition causing swelling or disorder of the brain.
Treatment with Tamiflu should start as soon as possible when flu symptoms appear, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose.
Take Tamiflu for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated. Some people using this medicine have had rare side effects of sudden confusion, delirium, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or self-injury. These symptoms have occurred most often in children. It is not known whether Tamiflu was the exact cause of these symptoms. However, anyone using this medicine should be watched closely for signs of confusion or unusual behavior. Call a doctor at once if you or the child using Tamiflu has any of these symptoms. Oseltamivir should not be used in place of getting a yearly flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control recommends an annual flu shot to help protect you each year from new strains of influenza virus.
It is dangerous to purchase Tamiflu on the Internet or from vendors outside of the United States. Samples of "Tamiflu" purchased on the Internet have been found to contain cloxacillin, a type of antibiotic that can have dangerous side effects in people who are allergic to penicillin.
Before using Tamiflu
Tamiflu should not be used in place of getting a yearly flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control recommends an annual flu shot to help protect you each year from new strains of influenza virus.
You should not use Tamiflu if you are allergic to oseltamivir.
Before taking Tamiflu, tell your doctor if you have used a nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within the past 2 weeks, or if you have:
- kidney disease;
- heart disease;
- lung disease;
- a condition causing swelling or disorder of the brain; or
- any other serious disease or health problem.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Tamiflu is harmful to an unborn baby. However, not receiving this medication to prevent influenza could be harmful to the baby if the mother becomes infected with a disease that Tamiflu could prevent. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Your doctor will decide whether you should receive Tamiflu , especially if you have a high risk of infection with H1N1 influenza (also called "swine" flu). It is not known whether oseltamivir passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 1 year old.
How should I take Tamiflu?
Take Tamiflu exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Do not take Tamiflu in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Treatment with Tamiflu should start as soon as possible when flu symptoms appear, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose.
Take the capsule with a full glass of water. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with the syringe provided with the medicine. Do not measure the medicine with a regular table spoon. If you do not have the syringe or another medicine dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
You may take Tamiflu with or without food. If the medicine upsets your stomach, it may help to take it with food or milk.
To treat flu symptoms: Take every 12 hours for 5 days.
To prevent flu symptoms: Take every 24 hours for 10 days or as prescribed. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse. Store the capsules at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Store Tamiflu liquid in the refrigerator but do not freeze. Throw away any unused liquid after 10 days.
See also: Tamiflu dosage (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if your next dose is less than 2 hours away. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea and vomiting.
What should I avoid while taking Tamiflu?
Do not use a nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within 48 hours after taking Tamiflu. This medicine may interfere with the drug action of FluMist, making the vaccine less effective. Follow your doctor's instructions.
