Are you aware of this pill for the flu? (Baloxavir Marboxil)

You don't need to tell me about the discomfort you feel when you get the flu. Your body aches, you have a high fever, you have a headache, you feel like you can't do anything. At this time, we all wish there was a way to get out of this trouble quickly. Today, we are going to talk about a new medicine that your doctor may recommend to you. That is Baloxavir Marboxil.

Simply put, what is Baloxavir Marboxil?

Baloxavir Marboxil (often sold under the brand name Xofluza) is a medicine used to prevent and treat infections caused by the influenza virus , the flu virus we all know.

This works in a very simple way. What this medicine does is it slows down the spread of the flu virus in your body. That is, it reduces the ability of the virus to make copies of itself and spread throughout the body. This means that the duration of your symptoms is reduced and the illness gets better faster.

Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine

Before you start using this medicine, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Because that information will determine whether this medicine is suitable for you or not. Don't forget to tell them about these things in particular.

• About a recent or upcoming vaccination: Some types of vaccinations may interact with this medicine, so it is best to inform yourself about this in advance.
• About your allergies: Be sure to tell us if you have an allergic reaction to Baloxavir Marboxil, any other medicine, food, or dye.
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant: Take any medication with extreme caution during this time, so inform your doctor about your condition.
• If you are a breastfeeding mother: It is important to talk to your doctor about whether this medication will pass to your baby through breast milk.

How should I use the medicine?

The way to use this medicine is very simple. You need to take it exactly as your doctor prescribed it, that is, the correct dose.

• Swallow this pill with a glass of water.
• You can take it before or after meals. However, if you feel upset or nauseous, it is best to take the medicine with some food.
• This medicine is usually a single dose when you get the flu. So use it exactly as your doctor tells you.

A place to be very careful!

This is the most important thing you need to know about this medication. Do not take this medication at the same time as products containing calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, or zinc.

Imagine what would happen if you drank a glass of milk, or ate a yogurt, or took an antacid for heartburn and then took this medicine. What those minerals do is bind to the active ingredient in the medicine and prevent it from being absorbed into the body. Simply put, the medicine doesn't work properly.

Therefore, if you are taking these things, take them at a different time than when you take the Baloxavir pill. That means leaving a gap of a few hours. If you have any questions about this, ask your doctor for clarification.

If you give this medicine to children...

This medicine can sometimes be prescribed to children over 5 years of age. However, only a doctor can decide on this. Therefore, if you are giving this medicine to a child, be sure to do so only on medical advice.

What to do if you take too much medicine?

If you think you have accidentally taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital.Talk and get advice.

Side effects that may occur when taking medication

Like all medicines, Baloxavir Marboxil can cause side effects in some people, although not everybody gets them. Some of these can be serious, so it's important to be aware of them.

This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience any unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor about them.

How do you store and dispose of medication?

To maintain the quality of the medicine, it is important to store it properly.

• Keep it out of reach of children and pets. This is very important.
• Store at a temperature between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius (20-25 °C), which is normal room temperature.
• It's best to keep the medicine in the original packaging it came in.
• Do not use expired medicine.

When throwing away expired or unwanted medication, don't just throw it in the trash. Check the package insert for instructions on how to dispose of it. Or ask your doctor. The safest thing to do is to crush the pills, mix them with used coffee grounds, a little soil, or cat litter, put them in a bag, seal it, and throw them in the trash.