Zanamivir directions for use

Zanamivir
RELENZA® FDA Package Insert
Description
Clinical Pharmacology
Microbiology
Indications and Usage
Contraindications
Warnings and Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Overdosage
Clinical Studies
Dosage and Administration
Directions for Use
How Supplied
Labels and Packages

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sheng Shi, M.D. [2]

Directions for Use

BEFORE YOU START:

Please read the entire Patient Information leaflet for important information about the effects of RELENZA including the section “Important Safety Information About RELENZA” for information about the risk of breathing difficulties.

If RELENZA is prescribed for a child, dosing should be supervised by an adult who understands how to use RELENZA and has been instructed in its use by a healthcare provider.

Step-by-step instructions for using the DISKHALER®

Step A: Load the medicine into the DISKHALER

1. Start by pulling off the blue cover.

2. Always check inside the mouthpiece to make sure it is clear before each use. If foreign objects are in the mouthpiece, they could be inhaled and cause serious harm.

3. Pull the white mouthpiece by the edges to extend the white tray all the way.

4. Once the white tray is extended all the way, find the raised ridges on each side of it. Press in these ridges, both sides at the same time, and pull the whole white tray out of the DISKHALER body.

5. Place one silver medicine disk onto the dark brown wheel, flat side up. The four silver blisters on the underside of the medicine disk will drop neatly into the four holes in the wheel.

6. Push in the white tray as far as it will go. Now the DISKHALER is loaded with medicine.

Step B: Puncture the blister

Be sure to keep the DISKHALER level.

The DISKHALER punctures one blister of medicine at a time so you can inhale the right amount. It does not matter which blister you start with. Check to make sure that the silver foil is unbroken.

1. Be sure to keep the DISKHALER level so the medicine does not spill out.

2. Locate the half-circle flap with the name “RELENZA” on top of the DISKHALER.

3. Lift this flap from the outer edge until it cannot go any farther. Flap must be straight up for the plastic needle to puncture both the top and bottom of the silver medicine disk inside.

4. Keeping the DISKHALER level, click the flap down into place.

Step C: Inhale

• Before putting the white mouthpiece into your mouth, breathe all the way out (exhale).

Then put the white mouthpiece into your mouth. Be sure to keep the DISKHALER level so the medicine does not spill out.

• Close your lips firmly around the mouthpiece. Be sure not to cover the small holes on either side of it.
• Breathe in through your mouth steadily and as deeply as you can. Your breath pulls the medicine into your airways and lungs.
• Hold your breath for a few seconds to help RELENZA stay in your lungs where it can work.

To take another inhalation, move to the next blister by following Step D below.

Once you’ve inhaled the number of blisters prescribed by your healthcare provider, replace the cover until your next dose.

Step D: Move the medicine disk to the next blister

1.Pull the mouthpiece to extend the white tray, without removing it.
2.Then push it back until it clicks. This pull-push motion rotates the medicine disk to the next blister.
3.To take your next inhalation, repeat Steps B and C.
If all 4 blisters in the medicine disk have been used, you are ready to start a new medicine disk (see Step A). Check to make sure that the silver foil is unbroken each time you are ready to puncture the next blister.

References

Adapted from the FDA Package Insert.