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Frequently asked questions

Click on a link below to view answers to frequently asked questions regarding the following topics:

About PULMICORT RESPULES

About Pharmacy Manufacturing

About Nebulizers

Helping Patients and Caregivers with Nebulizer Use

About PULMICORT RESPULES

Click here to view NIH Guidelines

1. How do I initiate PULMICORT RESPULES therapy?

Dosing for PULMICORT RESPULES is based on previous therapy, not body weight. For patients whose previous therapy consisted of bronchodilators alone, the recommended starting dose is 0.5 mg once daily or 0.25 mg BID up to a maximum of 0.5 mg total daily dose. For those previously treated with another inhaled corticosteroid, a starting dose of 0.5 mg once or twice daily or 0.25 mg BID, is recommended.

Patients previously taking oral corticosteroids should initiate PULMICORT RESPULES therapy at 0.5 mg BID or 1 mg QD.

In symptomatic children not responding to non-steroidal therapy, a starting dose of PULMICORT RESPULES at 0.25 mg once daily may also be considered. If once-daily treatment does not provide adequate control, the total daily dose should be increased and/or administered as a divided dose.

Once symptoms are controlled, all patients should titrate to the lowest effective dose, to minimize the potential systemic effects of corticosteroids.

The highest recommended dose should not exceed 1 mg total daily dose.

2. How much time is required for therapy with PULMICORT RESPULES to take effect?

PULMICORT RESPULES can lead to clinical improvement within 2 to 8 days of beginning treatment. Maximum benefit may take 4 to 6 weeks to achieve and depends upon regular use.

Footnotes

* Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal.

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. Scott MB, Skoner DP. Short-term and long-term safety of budesonide inhalation suspension in infants and young children with persistent asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999;104:5200-5209.