March 30, 2006 -- Relenza Approved for Flu Prevention

The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that it has approved another drug, Relenza (zanamivir), for preventing seasonal influenza A and B in adults and children five years of age and older. The effectiveness of Relenza was demonstrated in four large-scale studies where the drug substantially limited spread of the disease within families and in communities that were experiencing flu outbreaks, the FDA said. Relenza is the second drug to gain FDA approval for flu prevention; another drug, Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) was approved several months ago. In today’s announcement, the FDA noted that Relenza is not recommended for either treating or preventing influenza in persons with underlying airways disease such as asthma, and the agency cautioned that neither Relenza nor Tamiflu is a substitute for regular annual flu shots. "Consumers should continue receiving an annual flu vaccination," the announcement said.