DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Flunisolide Aerosol Inhaler (floo-NISS-oh-lide)
Brand Name: Aerobid and Aerobid-M

Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler is used for:

Preventing or reducing the frequency and seriousness of bronchial asthma attacks. It is also used in certain asthma patients when adding an inhaled corticosteroid may decrease the amount of other types of corticosteroids needed. Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler does not help during an acute asthma attack.

Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler is a corticosteroid. It works by reducing inflammatory reactions in the airways in response to allergens and irritants in the air.

Do NOT use Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler
• you are having a severe asthma attack requiring quick relief

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler:

Some medical conditions may interact with Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have active or inactive tuberculosis or a positive skin test for tuberculosis
• if you have infections of the respiratory tract, untreated fungal or bacterial infections, parasitic or viral infections, measles, chickenpox, herpes simplex in or around the eye, eczema, or you have recently received a vaccination
• if you have diarrhea
• if you have glaucoma or cataracts

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with this medicine. However, no specific interactions with Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler are known at this time.

• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler

This may not be a complete list of all interaction that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler:

Use Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Each time a new inhaler is used, turn the canister away from the face and press down into the mouthpiece to release test sprays into the air. This process is called priming and will allow you to be sure the inhaler is working properly and will provide a full dose of medicine.
• Before using Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler, be sure that the canister is properly inserted into the inhaler unit. Remove the dust cap and inspect the mouthpiece for foreign objects before each use.
• Shake well before each inhalation.
• Before using Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler, be sure that the canister is properly placed in the inhaler unit. Shake well. Breathe out slowly and completely. Place the mouthpiece between your lips and try to rest your tongue flat, unless your doctor has told you otherwise. Your doctor may have told you to hold the inhaler 1 or 2 inches (2 or 3 centimeters) away from the open mouth or to use a special spacing device. As you start to take a slow deep breath, press the canister and mouthpiece together at exactly the same time. This will release a dose of Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler. Continue breathing in slowly and deeply and hold for as long as comfortable, then breathe out slowly through pursed lips or your nose. If more than 1 inhalation is to be used, wait a few minutes and repeat the above steps. Keep the spray away from your eyes.
• After inhaling, rinse your mouth with water without swallowing.
• Clean the inhaler every few days. Remove the metal cartridge, then rinse the inhaler and cap with briskly running warm water. Dry thoroughly, then replace cartridge and dust cap.
• Keep track of the number of sprays you use and subtract this number from the number of doses in the container. This will help you know when the container is becoming empty.
• Use Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler at regular intervals throughout the day.
• Continue to use Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler.

Important safety information:

• Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler may cause dizziness or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler is used to prevent asthma attacks. It is not to be used for a severe asthma attack that requires quick relief.
• If you are also using a bronchodilator inhaler, be sure to always carry the bronchodilator inhaler with you to use during asthma attacks.
• Use caution if you switch from an oral steroid (eg, prednisone) to Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler. It may take several months for your body to make enough natural steroids to handle events that cause physical stress. Such events may include injury, surgery, infection, loss of blood electrolytes, or a sudden asthma attack. These may be severe and sometimes fatal. Contact your doctor right away if any of these events occur. You may need to take an oral steroid (eg, prednisone) again. Carry a card at all times that says you may need an oral steroid (eg, prednisone) if any of these events occur.
• If your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse, check with your doctor.
• If you are having difficulty using Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler or are having side effects, such as mouth sores or bad taste, ask your doctor or pharmacist about using a spacing device.
• Contact your health care provider at once if episodes of asthma that are not responsive to bronchodilators occur.
• Contact your health care provider at once if signs of an infection occur.
• If you have not had chickenpox, shingles, or measles, avoid contact with anyone who does. Contact your doctor if you are exposed to one of these conditions.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine while you are using Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler.
• Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler is for oral inhalation only. Avoid spraying in the eyes.
• The contents of this canister are under pressure. Do not store or use near an open flame or while smoking. Do not burn or puncture the canister even if it appears to be empty.
• Corticosteroids may affect growth rate in CHILDREN and teenagers in some cases. They may need regular growth checks while they use Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler.
• Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler while you are pregnant. It is not known if Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Contact your health care provider if WITHDRAWAL symptoms (joint or muscle pain, lack of energy, depression) occur.

Possible side effects of Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Bad taste in mouth; decreased appetite; decreased smell or taste; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth; flu; headache; hoarseness; indigestion; nausea; nervousness; runny nose; sinus swelling; sore throat; stomach pain or upset; stuffy nose.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; depression; fainting; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; fast or irregular heartbeat; lack of energy; menstrual changes; mental or mood changes; new or worsening breathing problems; shakiness; shortness of breath; swelling; tiredness; vision changes; vomiting; weakness; wheezing; white curd-like patches or rash in the mouth.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler:

Store Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Protect from freezing. Avoid temperatures above 120 degrees F (49 degrees C). Store canister with mouthpiece down. Store away from heat and direct sunlight. Do not puncture, break, or burn the canister even if it appears to be empty. Contents are under pressure. Keep Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Aerobid-M Aerosol Inhaler. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.