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# Zanamivir - Whole blood and components

Also known as: Relenza®

## Essential information

Obligatory

  Must not donate if:

  1. Taking zanamivir (Relenza®) as treatment for influenza.
  2. At any time in the 7 days prior to, or while taking zanamivir, the donor has had symptoms of influenza, (a temperature of more than 38°C, or a history of fever and 2 or more of the following symptoms: cough, headache, runny nose, diarrhoea or vomiting).
Discretionary

  If the potential donor is taking zanamivir as prophylaxis, they have not been advised to be confined to home, and have not had any symptoms of influenza, accept.

## Supporting information

See if relevant
  - Infection, acute
Additional information

  Zanamivir (Relenza®) is a viral neuraminidase inhibitor. Neuraminidase is an enzyme that helps the virus spread from cell to cell. It is used to treat influenza and for post-exposure prophylaxis of influenza. It appears to be a very safe drug with little evidence for teratogenic (potential to cause birth defects) or mutagenic (potential to cause malignancy) effect.

Regulatory information

  Part of this entry is a requirement of the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005.

Version details:

  WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 13 (28 August 2012)

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