ABSTRACT
Available studies, however, show a reduction
in illness of up to 2.5 days.4 Potentially this
may be very beneficial. Practical difficulties
include the ability to deliver the drug early
enough in episodes of influenza and the need
to avoid delivery to patients with another mild
upper respiratory infection rather than
influenza. It would seem sensible, at present,
to consider zanamavir in patients with
underlying COPD becoming unwell with
typical symptoms during an influenza
epidemic. Care is needed to ensure patients
can cope with the inhaler device.
