There are days when you feel really down. Your body aches, you have a high fever, your head is heavy... At times like these, we say, "I've got the flu." This is a slightly more severe illness than a common cold. So, there are new medications that can help you recover faster during times like these. Today, we're going to talk about one such drug, Baloxavir Marboxil (often known by the brand name Xofluza).
Simply put, what is Baloxavir Marboxil?
This is a medicine that is given to treat and sometimes prevent infections caused by the flu virus, or influenza virus . It works by slowing down the spread of the flu virus in your body. This means that you will have fewer symptoms and start feeling better sooner.
But one thing to keep in mind: This medicine does not work for the common cold, bacterial infections, hay fever, or other types of viruses. Also, it is not a substitute for the annual flu vaccine.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
It is very important to talk to your doctor about your health before using any medication. Especially before taking this Baloxavir medication, be sure to inform him about the following things.
| Matter to be informed | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Allergies you have | If you have an allergy to this Baloxavir medication, or to any other medication, food, or dye, be sure to tell your doctor. |
| If you are pregnant or expecting a baby | If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, you should talk to your doctor about how this medicine may affect the baby. |
| If a mother is breastfeeding her child | Consult your doctor about whether it is appropriate to take this medicine while breastfeeding. |
| If you have recently received or are about to receive a vaccine | Especially if you have received something like the intranasal influenza vaccine, tell your doctor about it. |
How do you use this medicine?
This is a pill that is usually taken by mouth. Take it with a glass of water. Take it exactly as your doctor has prescribed. You can take it before or after a meal. However, if you feel an upset stomach, it is best to take it with some food.
This is where you need to be most careful!
While taking this medicine, do not take other medicines, vitamins, or dairy products containing calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, or zinc at the same time. These can interfere with the absorption of Baloxavir. Therefore, if you are taking iron tablets, calcium tablets, or antacids, you should leave a gap of several hours between taking them and Baloxavir. The best advice for this is to ask your doctor.
This medicine is usually given in a single dose, so there is no problem with "missing a dose." However, special precautions should be taken when giving this to children over 5 years of age, so talk to your doctor about that as well.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Side effects that may occur when taking medication
Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. Some of them can be serious, while others are mild.
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
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| Side effects that are usually nothing to worry about (but should be reported to the doctor if they persist) | |
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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 medication?
- Keep out of reach of children and pets .
- Store at normal room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Do not use expired medicine.
- When throwing away unused or expired medicine, don't flush it down the toilet. Take the pills out of the container, mix them with something like used tea leaves, coffee grounds, or soil, and put them in a tightly sealed bag and throw them in the trash. This will help prevent the medicine from falling into the wrong hands.
Take-Home Message
- Baloxavir Marboxil is a medicine for the flu virus , not for the common cold.
- This is not a substitute for an annual flu shot. Talk to your doctor about getting a flu shot.
- When taking the medication, avoid taking other pills, tonics, or foods containing minerals such as calcium and iron at the same time.
- If you have any other medical conditions, are pregnant, or are taking any other medications, inform your doctor about all of these.
- If you experience allergic symptoms such as skin rash and swelling, seek medical advice immediately.
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