We all know the pain of the flu when you have a cold, aches and pains, and a fever. Sometimes this condition can be a bit severe. So, a new medication that doctors are giving to treat flu-like conditions is called Baloxavir Marboxil. Today, we will talk about this medication, how to use it, and what to be careful about.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, Baloxavir Marboxil is a medicine that works against the influenza virus that causes the flu. It works by slowing down the spread of the virus in your body. This means that the duration of your symptoms will be shorter and you will start to feel better sooner.
But you need to keep these things in mind:
- This medicine is only given for the influenza virus . It cannot treat the common cold, bacterial infections, or other types of viruses.
- This is never a substitute for getting the flu vaccine every year. The best way to protect yourself from the flu is still to get the flu vaccine every year.
- This medicine can be found in pharmacies under the brand name `(Xofluza Granules)`.
Things you should tell your doctor before taking medication
It is very important that your doctor is aware of these things before prescribing this medication to you.
| Situation you need to report | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| If you have allergies to this Baloxavir Marboxil medicine or any other medicine, food, or dye. | This is essential to prevent a severe allergic reaction that may occur due to the medication. |
| If you are pregnant, or are expecting to become pregnant soon. | Before using any medication during pregnancy, a doctor should confirm its safety. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother. | To consider the possibility of the components of the medicine passing to the baby through breast milk. |
| If you have recently received a vaccine or are scheduled to receive one in the future (especially the nasal flu vaccine). | This medicine may affect the effectiveness of some types of vaccines (especially those containing live viruses). |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
This is an oral suspension, which means it is a liquid. So follow these instructions exactly.
1. Shake well: Shake the bottle well before each use. The medicine powder should be well mixed in the liquid.
2. Accurate measurement: Use a specially marked oral syringe to measure this medicine. Do not use teaspoons or tablespoons found in the kitchen. They will never measure the correct dose accurately.
3. With or without food: This medicine can be taken with or without food. However, if you experience stomach upset or nausea, it is best to take it with some food.
Very important: Do not take anything containing calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, or zinc close to the time you take this medicine. This includes dairy foods like milk and yogurt, antacids, and some vitamins. These minerals can bind to the medicine and prevent it from being absorbed by the body. So, if you take anything like this, take it a few hours before or after taking the medicine. Ask your doctor for specific advice.
If giving this medicine to children, the doctor may sometimes recommend it for children over the age of 5. However, you should follow the doctor's instructions exactly.
What to do if the dose increases (overdose)?
If you think you have taken more of this medicine than you should, do not delay. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Possible side effects
Like any medication, this one is likely to cause some side effects. These can be divided into two main categories.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Severe allergic reaction | Skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. If you have difficulty breathing, go to the hospital immediately. |
| Side effects that are usually not dangerous, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Diarrhea | Flatulence. |
| Headache | Occasional headaches. |
| Nausea | Feeling like vomiting. |
| Vomiting | Vomiting. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual, talk to your doctor about it.
How do you store and dispose of the medicine?
- Storage: Keep out of reach of children and pets. Store at room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius). Keep the medicine in the original bottle until you need it.
- Disposal (Very Important): After you receive this medicine from the pharmacy, you must use it within 10 hours. Even if you do not use it, you must definitely dispose of the remaining medicine after 10 hours. This is very important.
- When disposing of expired or unwanted medications, ask your doctor about it. Sometimes there may be a drug take-back program. Or, if it is appropriate to throw the medication in the trash, take the medication out of the bottle, mix it with something like used coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter, put it in a bag, seal it, and throw it in the trash. Do not flush it down the toilet for any reason.
Take-Home Message
- Baloxavir Marboxil is a medicine for the flu caused by the influenza virus, not for the common cold.
- Take the dose prescribed by your doctor exactly as prescribed. Do not use the spoons you have at home, use the syringe that comes with the medicine.
- Avoid taking dairy products, antacids, and vitamins containing minerals such as iron/calcium around the time of taking this medication.
- Never consider this medicine as a replacement for the annual flu vaccine.
- If you experience severe allergic symptoms such as skin rash and swelling, seek medical advice immediately.
- Once prepared at the pharmacy, use the medicine within 10 hours. If there is any left over, discard it after 10 hours.
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