Zanamivir, a new targeted therapy in the treatment of influenza - A patient perspective assessed by questionnaire

Objective: A patient survey was conducted by questionnaire to evaluate pati ent acceptance and perceptions of efficacy with zanamivir (Glaxo Wellcome), the first in a new class of neuraminidase inhibitors that are active again st both influenza A and influenza B. The survey was also designed to provid e rapid feedback to physicians prescribing zanamivir within the winter peri od when influenza was likely to be prevalent. Setting: Patients with clinically diagnosed influenza were enrolled by part icipating general practitioners (GPs) during the 1999 influenza season in A ustralia. Courses of medication with a questionnaire were prescribed by par ticipating GPs. Patients: A total of 1408 patients returned completed questionnaires, 60% w ere employed or were students and 238 had had a current influenza immunisat ion, mostly patients >65 years. Myalgia, headache and feverishness were rep orted by at least 80% of patients. Results: Symptom relief was reported by more than 50% of patients within 24 hours and by 77% of patients within 48 hours; satisfaction with treatment was high and 65% of patients returned to normal activities within 72 hours. Older patients reported a slightly less rapid response to zanamavir in ter ms of symptom relief, but nevertheless were able to return quickly to norma l activities. A total of 378/477 (79%) patients who were very satisfied wit h their treatment experienced symptom relief in 24 hours. Of the 400 at-ris k patients aged >65 years or with co-morbidities, 78% were satisfied with t heir treatment, with 235/400 (59%) experiencing symptom relief within 24 ho urs. Patients found the Diskhaler(TM) device easy to use irrespective of ag e and reported rapid symptom relief, which may reflect the targeted deliver y of high concentrations of zanamivir to the site of viral replication in t he respiratory tract. Conclusion: Overall, the survey indicated that zanamivir was associated wit h an early return to normal activities and confirmed that the benefits obse rved with the drug in controlled clinical trials were extrapolated to commu nity practice.