Zanamivir (Relenza) does not cure swine flu but helps decrease the intensity and durations of swine flu symptoms. Relenza is only effective if taken within the first 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. The majority of people never see a physician in this time period and so never benefit.
Zanamir is not recommended to prevent swine flu because it protection is very short lived. To prevent flu, it must be taken for 10 days. The drug is a powder which is inhaled though a device known as a Diskhaler.
Only individuals who are at very high risk of complications from swine flu should take this drug as a preventive aid. Anti viral drugs are not the best way to prevent swine flu. The only way to prevent swine flu is with the vaccine
Continued used of Relenza can result in drug resistance and side effects. Plus, Relenza is expensive. One of the annoying side effects of Relenza is diarrhea.
Since Relenza can stop the virus from multiplying, it is best used for acute cases. Moreover, there are minimal data on the effectiveness of Relenza on the swine flu virus. Not everyone responds to the drug. At best, Relenza can reduce your chance of acquiring swine flu by 50-70 percent if it is taken for 10 days.
How long this protection lasts remains unknown
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