Red yeast rice and Zanamivir Inhalation, oral/nebulization

• Generic Name: red yeast rice
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names:

  Cholestin

Red yeast rice is a product that is made by fermenting red rice with a certain type of yeast. Red yeast rice is also known as Cholestin, Hypocol, Xuezhikang, or Zhitai.

Red yeast rice supplements are not the same as red yeast rice that is sold in Chinese grocery stores.

Red yeast rice has been used in alternative medicine as a likely effective aid in reducing levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood.

Red yeast rice has been used as a possibly effective aid in reducing the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, or death in people with a history of heart attack.

Red yeast rice has also been used as a possibly effective aid in lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Red yeast rice has been used to treat high blood pressure. However, research has shown that red yeast rice may not be effective in treating this condition.

Other uses not proven with research have included: lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, improving blood circulation, lowering liver enzymes associated with liver damage, and treating diarrhea, indigestion, or other stomach problems.

It is not certain whether red yeast rice is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Red yeast rice should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Red yeast rice is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Red yeast rice may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

• Generic Name: zanamivir
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Relenza

Zanamivir belongs to the family of medicines called antivirals, which are used to treat infections caused by viruses. Zanamivir is used in the treatment of the infection caused by the flu virus (influenza A and influenza B). Zanamivir may also be used to prevent and treat swine influenza A.

Zanamivir may reduce flu symptoms (weakness, headache, fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose, and sore throat) by 1 to 1.5 days. Zanamivir may also be used to prevent influenza infection if you have come into close contact with someone who has the flu.

Zanamivir must be started within 2 days of having flu symptoms. Zanamivir will not keep you from spreading the flu virus to other people. It may not work for everybody. Zanamivir may not be for you if you are severely sick or have a breathing problem (e.g., asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). If you receive the flu vaccine every year, continue to do so. Zanamivir is not a substitute for your yearly flu shot.

Zanamivir is available only with your doctor's prescription.