ASMANEX HFA Rx

Indications for ASMANEX HFA:

Maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy.

Limitations Of use:

Not for relief of acute bronchospasm.

Adult:

Previously on inhaled medium-dose corticosteroids: use 100mcg strength. Previously on inhaled high-dose or oral corticosteroids (wean gradually): use 200mcg strength. For both: Two inhalations twice daily (AM & PM). Rinse mouth after use.

Children:

Not established.

Contraindications:

Primary treatment of status asthmaticus or acute asthma attacks.

Warnings/Precautions:

Maintain regular regimen. Prescribe a short-acting, inhaled β2-agonist for acute symptoms; monitor for increased need. Re-evaluate immediately during rapidly deteriorating asthma; may need oral corticosteroid therapy. Immunosuppressed. Untreated infections (eg, fungal, bacterial, viral, parasitic), TB, ocular herpes simplex. If exposed to chickenpox or measles, consider anti-infective prophylactic therapy. Transferring from systemic steroids: taper gradually. If adrenal insufficiency exists following systemic corticosteroids, replacement with inhaled steroids may exacerbate symptoms of adrenal insufficiency (eg, lassitude). Monitor for bone mineral density if other osteoporosis risk factors exist; and for growth suppression in children; hypercorticism and HPA axis suppression (if occurs, discontinue gradually). Glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, and cataracts: consider eye evaluation if ocular symptoms develop or in long term use. Severe hepatic impairment. Labor & delivery. Pregnancy. Nursing mothers: not recommended.

Pharmacological Class:

Steroid.

Interactions:

Potentiated by ketoconazole or other strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (eg, ritonavir, cobicistat-containing products, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir, telithromycin); use caution and monitor.

Adverse Reactions:

Nasopharyngitis, headache, sinusitis, bronchitis, influenza; hypersensitivity reactions, paradoxical bronchospasm; discontinue if occurs.

Generic Availability:

NO

How Supplied:

Inhaler—13g (120 inh)