Relenza vs. Xofluza

• Are Relenza and Xofluza the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Relenza?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Xofluza?
• What Is Relenza?
• What Is Xofluza?
• What drugs interact with Relenza?
• What drugs interact with Xofluza?
• How Should Relenza Be Taken?
• How Should Xofluza Be Taken?

Relenza (zanamivir) Inhalation Powder and Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) are antiviral medications used to treat flu symptoms caused by influenza virus in patients who have had symptoms for less than 2 days. Relenza and Xofluza will not treat the common cold.

Relenza may also be given to prevent influenza in people who may be exposed but do not yet have symptoms.

Side effects of Relenza and Xofluza that are similar include diarrhea, nausea, and headache.

Side effects of Relenza that are different from Xofluza include dizziness, increased coughing after using inhaled powder, vomiting, nasal irritation, and ear, nose, and throat infections.

Side effects of Xofluza that are different from Relenza include bronchitis and runny or stuffy nose.

Both Relenza and Xofluza may interact with other vaccines.

Xofluza may also interact with laxatives, antacids, antiviral drugs, and oral supplements that contain calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, or zinc.

Side effects of Relenza include:

• dizziness, or,
• because this medication is an inhaled powder, increased coughing after using it

Other side effects of Relenza include:

• diarrhea,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• headache,
• nasal irritation, or
• ear, nose, and throat infections

Common side effects of Xofluza include:

• diarrhea,
• bronchitis,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• headache, and
• nausea

Relenza (zanamivir) Inhalation Powder is an antiviral medication 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. It will not treat the common cold.

Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) is a polymerase acidic (PA) endonuclease inhibitor indicated for the treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza in patients 12 years of age and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 48 hours.

Other drugs may interact with Relenza. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Relenza should be used only when prescribed. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Xofluza may interact with laxatives, antacids, or oral supplements that contain calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, or zinc; antiviral drugs, or other recent vaccines. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use and all vaccines you recently received.

The recommended dose of Relenza for treatment of influenza in adults and pediatric patients aged 7 years and older is 10 mg twice daily (approximately 12 hours apart) for 5 days.

Lithium doses vary widely and are adjusted based on measurements of the levels of lithium in the blood. Most patients require 900-1200 mg daily in 2-3 divided doses.