Zanamivir

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A sialic acid-analogue neuraminidase inhibitor with antiviral activity. Administered into the respiratory tract by aerosol inhalation, zanamivir selectively binds to and inhibits influenza A and B virus neuraminidase-mediated cleavage of sialic acid residues in host cell membrane-bound glycoprotein receptors for influenza viruses, preventing the release of progeny viruses from host cell surfaces and, so, further viral replication.

**Synonyms:** - 4-Guanidino-2,4-dideoxy-2,3-dehydro-N-acetylneuraminic Acid - 5-Acetamido-2,6-anhydro-3,4,5-trideoxy-4-guanidino-D-glycero-D-galacto-non-2-enonic Acid - GANA - GG 167 - Relenza - Relenza - ZANAMIVIR - zanamivir