
Yeqing®
General Name: Zanamivir for inhalation
For Oral Inhalation Only
For Use with the Inhalation Device
DESCRIPTION: The active component of RELENZA is zanamivir. The chemical name of zanamivir
is 5-(acetylamino)-4-[(aminoiminomethyl)-amino]-2,6-anhydro-3,4,5-trideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-
non-2-enonic acid. It has a molecular formula of C12H20N4O7 and a molecular weight of 332.3.
It hasthe following structural formula:

Zanamivir is a white to off-white powder with a solubility of approximately 18 mg/mL in water at
20°C.Zanamivir is for administration to the respiratory tract by oral inhalation only. EachYeqing
contains 4 regularly spaced double-foil blisters with each blister containing a powder mixture of
5 mg of zanamivir and 20 mg of lactose. The contents of each blister are inhaled using aspecially
designed breath-activated plastic device for inhaling powder called the Inhalation Device. After
a Zanamivir is loaded into the Inhalation Device, a blister that contains medication is pierced
and the zanamivir is dispersed into the air stream created when the patient inhales through the
mouthpiece. The amount of drug delivered to the respiratory tract will depend on patient factors
such as inspiratory flow. Under standardized in vitro testing, Inhalation Device delivers 4 mg of
zanamivir from the Inhalation Device device when tested at a pressure drop of 3 kPa
(corresponding to a flow rate of about 62 to 65 L/min) for 3 seconds. In a study of 5 adult and 5
adolescent patients with obstructive airway diseases, the combined peak inspiratory flow rates
ranged from 66 to 140 L/min.
MICROBIOLOGY:
Mechanism of Action: The proposed mechanism of action of zanamivir is via inhibition of influenza
virus neuraminidase with the possibility of alteration of virus particle aggregation and release.