AstraZeneca
  • Bookmark This Page
  • Print This Page
  • Share with a Friend
Change Text Size
Change Text Size
Change Text Size
Change Text Size
Change Text Size

Nebulized PULMICORT RESPULES helps young children with asthma receive their medicine right to the lungs

Nebulizers are more likely to be used properly than MDIs or DPIs in young children. A study by Kofman and colleagues evaluating inhalation technique among pediatric asthma patients (mean age 4.5 years) through both observation and parental interview, reported that nebulizers were more likely to be used properly than meter-dosed or dry-powder inhalers1:

Treatment Time

View larger image

Relevant errors were defined as those that could impact intrapulmonary drug deposition, including1:

MDI

  • Did not uncap
  • Did not shake the canister before actuation
  • Positioned the canister with the valve facing upward
  • Lack of good seal between face and mask

Nebulizer

  • Lack of good seal between face and mask
  • Use of pacifier during nebulizer treatment

DPI

  • Did not activate the DPI properly
  • Exhaled into the delivery system
  • Low inspiratory flow

One out of three patients aged 2 years to 5 years improperly used§ an MDI (with holding chamber) in a prospective study, by Searfone and colleagues evaluating proper use of MDIs with (n=135) and without (n=73) holding chambers.2

Footnote

§“Improper use” measured by patients’ ability to perform the following recommended steps: shake, exhale, actuate, inhale, hold breath, ensure a ratio of inhalation to actuation of 1:1, and maintain tightness of seal between face and mask.
“Next” Button
Learn about nebulizer basics

Indication and Important Safety Information

PULMICORT RESPULES is indicated for the maintenance treatment of asthma and as prophylactic therapy in children ages 12 months to 8 years.

PULMICORT RESPULES is not a bronchodilator and is NOT indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm.

Common adverse events reported in clinical trials, regardless of relationship to treatment, included respiratory infection, rhinitis, coughing, otitis media, viral infection, gastroenteritis, ear infection, oral thrush/candidiasis, and epistaxis.

Inhaled corticosteroids may cause a reduction in growth velocity. The long-term effect on final adult height is unknown.

PULMICORT RESPULES, like other inhaled corticosteroids, may impact the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, especially in susceptible individuals, in young children, and in patients given high doses for prolonged periods.

Particular care is needed for patients who are transferred from systemically active corticosteroids to less systemically available corticosteroids, because deaths due to adrenal insufficiency have occurred in asthmatic patients during and after transfer from systemic corticosteroids (see WARNINGS in full Prescribing Information).

Patients taking immunosuppressant doses of corticosteroids should avoid exposure to infections such as chicken pox and measles.

[Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information (PDF).]

References

  1. Kofman C, Berlinski A, Zaragoza S, et al. Aerosol therapy for pediatric outpatients. RT:J Respir Care Pract. 2004;17:26-28.
  2. Brock TP, Williams DM. Clinical considerations in the use of inhalation delivery devices. J Pharm Pract. 2001;14:277-295.