FLIXOTIDE NEBULES 0.5 mg/2 ml

SOLUTION

**Dosage and Administration** Pharmaceutical form: Suspension for inhalation by nebulisation. Patients should be made aware of the prophylactic nature of therapy with inhaled _FLIXOTIDE_ and that it should be taken regularly even when they are asymptomatic. _FLIXOTIDE_ Nebules should be administered as an aerosol produced by a jet nebuliser, as directed by a physician. As drug delivery can be affected by a wide range of criteria, please refer to the directions recommended by the manufacturer of the nebuliser equipment. Use of _FLIXOTIDE_ Nebules with ultrasonic nebulisers is not generally recommended. _FLIXOTIDE_ for nebulisation should not be injected. _FLIXOTIDE_ for nebulisation is intended for oral inhalation, and use of a mouthpiece is recommended. If use of a face mask is necessary, nasal inhalation may occur. Maximal improvement in asthma may be achieved within four to seven days of starting treatment. However, _FLIXOTIDE_ has been shown to have a therapeutic effect as soon as 24 hours after starting treatment for patients who have not previously received inhaled steroids. If patients find that relief with short-acting bronchodilator treatment becomes less effective or they need more inhalations than usual, medical attention must be sought. To aid administration of small volumes of the suspension, or if a prolonged delivery time is desirable, _FLIXOTIDE_ suspension for nebulisation may be diluted immediately before use with sodium chloride injection. As many nebulisers operate on a continuous flow basis, it is likely that nebulised drug will be released in the local environment. _FLIXOTIDE_ Nebules should therefore be administered in a well ventilated room, particularly in hospitals when several patients may be using nebulisers at the same time. **ASTHMA** - **Adults and adolescents over 16 years** 500 to 2000 micrograms twice daily. - **Children and adolescents from 4 to 16 years of age** 1000 micrograms twice daily. Patients should be given an initial dose of nebulised _FLIXOTIDE_ which is appropriate for the severity of their disease. The dosage should then be adjusted until control is achieved or reduced to the minimum effective dose according to the individual response. A dose at the upper end of the range is recommended for the treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma for up to seven days after exacerbation. Consideration should then be given to reducing the dosage. - **Special patient groups** There is no need to adjust the dose in elderly patients or in those with hepatic or renal impairment.