Atectura Breezhaler

Atectura Breezhaler Special Precautions

Manufacturer:

Novartis

Distributor:

Zuellig Pharma

Marketer:

A. Menarini
Full Prescribing Info
Special Precautions
Deterioration of disease: This medicinal product should not be used to treat acute asthma symptoms, including acute episodes of bronchospasm, for which a short-acting bronchodilator is required. Increasing use of short-acting bronchodilators to relieve symptoms indicates deterioration of control and patients should be reviewed by a physician.
Patients should not stop treatment without physician supervision since symptoms may recur after discontinuation.
It is recommended that treatment with this medicinal product should not be stopped abruptly. If patients find the treatment ineffective, they should continue treatment but must seek medical attention. Increasing use of reliever bronchodilators indicates a worsening of the underlying condition and warrants a reassessment of the therapy. Sudden and progressive deterioration in the symptoms of asthma is potentially life-threatening and the patient should undergo urgent medical assessment.
Hypersensitivity: Immediate hypersensitivity reactions have been observed after administration of this medicinal product. If signs suggesting allergic reactions occur, in particular angioedema (including difficulties in breathing or swallowing, swelling of the tongue, lips and face), urticaria or skin rash, treatment should be discontinued immediately and alternative therapy instituted.
Paradoxical bronchospasm: As with other inhalation therapy, administration of this medicinal product may result in paradoxical bronchospasm, which can be life-threatening. If this occurs, treatment should be discontinued immediately and alternative therapy instituted.
Cardiovascular effects of beta agonists: Like other medicinal products containing beta2-adrenergic agonists, this medicinal product may produce a clinically significant cardiovascular effect in some patients, as measured by increases in pulse rate, blood pressure and/or symptoms. If such effects occur, treatment may need to be discontinued.
This medicinal product should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders (coronary artery disease, acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension), convulsive disorders or thyrotoxicosis, and in patients who are unusually responsive to beta2-adrenergic agonists.
Patients with unstable ischaemic heart disease, a history of myocardial infarction in last 12 months, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV left ventricular failure, arrhythmia, uncontrolled hypertension, cerebrovascular disease or history of long QT syndrome and patients being treated with medicinal products known to prolong QTc were excluded from studies in the indacaterol/mometasone furoate clinical development programme. Thus safety outcomes in these populations are considered unknown.
While beta2-adrenergic agonists have been reported to produce electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, such as flattening of the T wave, prolongation of QT interval and ST segment depression, the clinical significance of these observations is unknown.
Long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists (LABA) or LABA-containing combination products such as Atectura Breezhaler should therefore be used with caution in patients with known or suspected prolongation of the QT interval or who are being treated with medicinal products affecting the QT interval.
Hypokalaemia with beta agonists: Beta2-adrenergic agonists may produce significant hypokalaemia in some patients, which has the potential to produce adverse cardiovascular effects. The decrease in serum potassium is usually transient, not requiring supplementation. In patients with severe asthma hypokalaemia may be potentiated by hypoxia and concomitant treatment, which may increase the susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmias (see Interactions).
Clinically relevant hypokalaemia has not been observed in clinical studies of indacaterol/mometasone furoate at the recommended therapeutic dose.
Hyperglycaemia: Inhalation of high doses of beta2-adrenergic agonists and corticosteroids may produce increases in plasma glucose. Upon initiation of treatment, plasma glucose should be monitored more closely in diabetic patients.
This medicinal product has not been investigated in patients with Type I diabetes mellitus or uncontrolled Type II diabetes mellitus.
Prevention of oropharyngeal infections: In order to reduce the risk of oropharyngeal candida infection, patients should be advised to rinse their mouth or gargle with water without swallowing it or brush their teeth after inhaling the prescribed dose.
Systemic effects of corticosteroids: Systemic effects of inhaled corticosteroids may occur, particularly at high doses prescribed for prolonged periods. These effects are much less likely to occur than with oral corticosteroids and may vary in individual patients and between different corticosteroid preparations.
Possible systemic effects may include Cushing's syndrome, Cushingoid features, adrenal suppression, growth retardation in children and adolescents, decrease in bone mineral density, cataracts, glaucoma, and, more rarely, a range of psychological or behavioural effects including psychomotor hyperactivity, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression or aggression (particularly in children). It is therefore important that the dose of inhaled corticosteroid is titrated to the lowest dose at which effective control of asthma is maintained.
Visual disturbance may be reported with systemic and topical (including intranasal, inhaled and intraocular) corticosteroid use. Patients presenting with symptoms such as blurred vision or other visual disturbances should be considered for referral to an ophthalmologist for evaluation of possible causes of visual disturbances, which may include cataract, glaucoma or rare diseases such as central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) which have been reported after use of systemic and topical corticosteroids.
This medicinal product should be administered with caution in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis or in patients with chronic or untreated infections.
Excipients: This medicinal product contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinal product.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: This medicinal product has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
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