Aerospan tm (flunisolide hfa, 80 mcg) Inhalation Aerosol For Oral Inhalation Only Rx Only description

 
Information for Patients: 
Patients being treated with AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol should receive the following 
information and instructions. This information is intended to aid in the safe and effective 
use of this medication. It is not a disclosure of all possible adverse or beneficial effects.
See Patient Information and illustrated Instructions for Using Your AEROSPAN 
Inhalation Aerosol for supplemental information. 
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Patients should be advised that the effectiveness of AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol 
depends on its regular use and on the proper inhalation-administering technique (see 
Patient Information and illustrated Instructions for Using Your AEROSPAN Inhalation 
Aerosol).

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It is important that patients are instructed to begin inhalation immediately prior to 
actuation. A delay between actuation and inhalation will lead to inadequate drug delivery 
from the spacer to the patient. Data show that doses are depleted by 75% or more after 
waiting one second between actuation and inhalation. 
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Two to 4 weeks may pass before maximum benefit is obtained after starting 
AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol. If symptoms do not improve, or if the condition 
worsens, patients should not increase dosage, but should contact the physician 
immediately. 
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Patients should be advised that AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol is not a 
bronchodilator and is not intended for relief of acute asthma symptoms. Patients should 
be made aware the AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol is a controller therapy for asthma, 
and that it should be taken regularly even if they are asymptomatic. 
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Patients should be instructed to prime the inhaler by releasing two test sprays into the 
air away from the face before first use of AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol, and when the 
inhaler has not been used for more than 2 weeks. 
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Patients should be instructed that they will receive a new AEROSPAN Inhalation 
Aerosol unit each time they refill their prescription. Patients should be advised to discard 
the whole unit including the metal canister, purple actuator, and gray spacer after the 
labeled number of actuations have been used. The appearance of a white ring on the 
orifice of the actuator is normal. The performance of AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol is 
not affected by this residue. No cleaning is required. The gray spacer should not be 
removed from the purple actuator. 
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The gray spacer should not be bitten or chewed. 
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Patients whose systemic corticosteroids have been reduced or withdrawn should be 
instructed to carry a warning card indicating that they may need supplemental systemic 
corticosteroids during periods of stress or a severe asthma attack that is not responsive to 
bronchodilators. 
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Patients who are on immunosuppressant doses of corticosteroids or other 
immunosuppressant drugs should be warned to avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles.
If they are exposed, patients should seek medical advice without delay. 
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Patients should be advised that the use of AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol should not 
be stopped abruptly.
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Women should consult with their doctor if they are pregnant or intend on becoming 
pregnant, or if they are breast-feeding a baby. 
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Patients should consult with their doctor if they are allergic to any orally-inhaled 
corticosteroid. 

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Patients should inform their doctor of other medications they are taking as this 
medication may not be suitable in some circumstances, and the doctor may wish to use a 
different medicine.