Formulary
Zanamivir: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Reduces replication of influenza A and B viruses by inhibiting viral neuraminidase.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Zanamivir: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Reduces replication of influenza A and B viruses by inhibiting viral neuraminidase.
Drug action
Reduces replication of influenza A and B viruses by inhibiting viral neuraminidase.
Indications and dose
**Post-exposure prophylaxis of influenza for zanamivir**
- **Child 5-17 years** (By inhalation of powder): 10 mg once daily for 10 days.
**Prevention of influenza during an epidemic for zanamivir**
- **Child 5-17 years** (By inhalation of powder): 10 mg once daily for up to 28 days.
**Treatment of influenza for zanamivir**
- **Child 5-17 years** (By inhalation of powder): 10 mg twice daily for 5 days.
**Treatment of influenza [complicated and potentially life-threatening, resistant to other treatments, and/or other treatments are unsuitable], Treatment of influenza [uncomplicated, resistant to other treatments, and inhaled formulation unsuitable] for zanamivir**
- **Child 6 months-5 years** (By intravenous infusion): 14 mg/kg twice daily for 5 to 10 days.
- **Child 6-17 years** (By intravenous infusion): 12 mg/kg twice daily (max. per dose 600 mg) for 5 to 10 days.
Interactions
**Other interactions (4):**
- Potential for other drugs to affect zanamivir Zanamivir is eliminated through renal filtration.
- Potential for zanamivir to affect other drugs Zanamivir does not inhibit the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes CYP1A1/2, 2A6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1 and 3A4.
- Zanamivir does also not affect the renal transporters OAT1, 2, 3 and 4, OCT1 and 2, OCT2-A, OCT3 and the urate transporter hURAT1.
- Zanamivir, when given for 28 days, did not impair the immune response to influenza vaccine.
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
Inside MedNext for this topic
- 411 MedNext-authored chapters
- 80,000+ MCQ bank
- 15 study modes
- Growing visual cheat sheets
Study modes
- Notes
- MCQ
- Audio
- Video
- Visual
- 3D Anatomy
- Trace
- Flashcards
- Mnemonics
- Image Bank
- Clinical
- Microscopy
- Audio QBank
- Cadaver
- Book Match
Continue reading
Subject HubPharmacology Hub
All pharmacology resources in one place.
Drug SchedulesIndian Drug Schedules
Schedule H, H1, X and G classifications.
FormularyBrowse all drugs
Search 1,850+ drug profiles.
Study Zanamivir in the MedNext app
Challenge yourself with targeted pharmacology MCQs on this drug class. Every explanation links back to the chapter that teaches the concept.
Start drug challengeExplore the full formulary

