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Pronunciation ⬇

beclomethasone: be-kloe-METH-a-sone

budesonide: byoo-DESS-oh-nide

fluticasone: floo-TI-ka-sone

Mometasone: mo-MET-a-sone

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Therapeutic Classification: antiasthmatics, corticosteroids

Pharmacologic Classification: corticosteroids (inhalation)

Indications ⬆ ⬇

REMS

Action ⬆ ⬇

Therapeutic Effects:

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Absorption: Beclomethasone — 20%; budesonide — 6–13% (Flexhaler), 6% (Respules); fluticasone — <7% (aerosol), 8–14% (powder); mometasone — <1%. Action is primarily local after inhalation.

Distribution: 10–25% is deposited in airways if a spacer device is not used. All cross the placenta and enter breast milk in small amounts.

Metabolism/Excretion: Beclomethasone — after inhalation, beclomethasone dipropionate is converted to beclomethasone monopropionate, an active metabolite that adds to its potency, primarily excreted in feces (<10% excreted in urine; Budesonide, fluticasone, mometasone — metabolized by the liver (primarily by CYP3A4) after absorption from lungs; Budesonide — 60% excreted in urine, 40% in feces; fluticasone — primarily excreted in feces (<5% excreted in urine); mometasone — 75% excreted in feces.

Half-life: Beclomethasone — 2.8 hr; budesonide — 2–3.6 hr; fluticasone — 7.8 hr (propionate); 24 hr (furoate); mometasone — 5 hr.

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

(improvement in symptoms)

ROUTEONSETPEAKDURATION
Inhalationwithin 24 hr†1–4 wk†unknown

†Improvement in pulmonary function; ↓ airway responsiveness may take longer.

†2–8 days for budesonide respule.

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Contraindicated in:

Use Cautiously in:

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

CNS: headache, agitation, depression, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, restlessness.

EENT: dysphonia, hoarseness, cataracts, glaucoma, nasal congestion, pharyngitis, sinusitis.

Resp: bronchospasm, cough, wheezing.

GI: diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, esophageal candidiasis, taste disturbances, nausea.

Endo: adrenal suppression (↑ dose, long-term therapy only), ↓ growth (children), ↓ bone mineral density.

MS: back pain.

Misc: HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS INCLUDING ANAPHYLAXIS, LARYNGEAL EDEMA, URTICARIA, AND BRONCHOSPASM, CHURG-STRAUSS SYNDROME.

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Drug-Drug:

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

Beclomethasone

Budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler)

Budesonide (Pulmicort Respules)

Fluticasone (Aerosol Inhaler)

Fluticasone (Dry Powder Inhaler)

Mometasone (Aerosol Inhaler)

Mometasone (Dry Powder Inhaler)

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Beclomethasone

Budesonide

(generic available)

Fluticasone

Mometasone

Assessment ⬆ ⬇

  • Monitor respiratory status and lung sounds. Assess pulmonary function tests periodically during and for several mo after a transfer from systemic to inhalation corticosteroids.
  • Assess patients changing from systemic corticosteroids to inhalation corticosteroids for signs of adrenal insufficiency (anorexia, nausea, weakness, fatigue, hypotension, hypoglycemia) during initial therapy and periods of stress. If these signs appear, notify health care professional immediately; condition may be life-threatening.
  • Monitor for withdrawal symptoms (joint or muscular pain, lassitude, depression) during withdrawal from oral corticosteroids.
  • Monitor growth rate in children receiving chronic therapy; use lowest possible dose.
  • May cause decreased bone mineral density during prolonged therapy. Monitor patients with increased risk (prolonged immobilization, family history of osteoporosis, postmenopausal status, tobacco use, advanced age, poor nutrition, chronic use of drugs that can reduce bone mass [anticonvulsants, oral corticosteroids]) for fractures.
  • Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions (rash, pruritis, swelling of face and neck, dyspnea) periodically during therapy.
Lab Test Considerations:
  • Periodic adrenal function tests may be ordered to assess degree of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression in chronic therapy. Children and patients using higher than recommended doses are at highest risk for HPA suppression.
    • May cause ↑ serum and urine glucose concentrations if significant absorption occurs.

Implementation ⬆ ⬇

  • Do not confuse Flovent with Flonase.
  • After desired clinical effect has been obtained, attempts should be made to decrease dose to lowest amount required to control symptoms. Gradually decrease dose every 2–4 wk as long as desired effect is maintained. If symptoms return, dose may briefly return to starting dose.
  • Inhaln: Allow at least 1 min between inhalations.

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

  • Advise patient to take medication as directed. Take missed doses as soon as remembered unless almost time for next dose. Instruct patient to read the Patient Information and Instructions for Use before using and with each Rx refill, in case of new information. Advise patient not to discontinue medication without consulting health care professional; gradual decrease is required.
  • Advise patients using inhalation corticosteroids and bronchodilator to use bronchodilator first and to allow 5 min to elapse before administering the corticosteroid, unless otherwise directed by health care professional.
  • Advise patient that inhalation corticosteroids should not be used to treat an acute asthma attack but should be continued even if other inhalation agents are used.
  • Patients using inhalation corticosteroids to control asthma may require systemic corticosteroids for acute attacks. Advise patient to use regular peak flow monitoring to determine respiratory status.
  • Caution patient to avoid smoking, known allergens, and other respiratory irritants.
  • Advise patient to notify health care professional if sore throat or sore mouth occurs.
  • Advise patient to stop using medication and notify health care professional immediately if signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions occur.
  • Advise female patients to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breast feeding.
  • Instruct patient whose systemic corticosteroids have been recently reduced or withdrawn to carry a warning card indicating the need for supplemental systemic corticosteroids in the event of stress or severe asthma attack unresponsive to bronchodilators.
  • Metered-Dose Inhaler: Instruct patient in proper use of metered-dose inhaler. Most inhalers require priming before first use. Shake inhaler well. Exhale completely, and then close lips firmly around mouthpiece. While breathing in deeply and slowly, press down on canister. Hold breath for as long as possible to ensure deep instillation of medication. Remove inhaler from mouth and breathe out gently. Allow 1–2 min between inhalations. Rinse mouth with water or mouthwash after each use to minimize fungal infections, dry mouth, and hoarseness. Clean mouthpiece weekly with clean, dry tissue or cloth. Do not place in water (see Appendix F).
  • Pulmicort Flexhaler: Advise patient to follow instructions supplied. Before first-time use, prime unit by turning cover and lifting off; hold upright with mouthpiece up and twist brown grip fully to right, then fully to left until it clicks. To administer dose, hold upright, twist brown grip fully to right, then fully to left until it clicks. Turn head away from inhaler and exhale (do not blow into inhaler). Do not shake inhaler. Place mouthpiece between lips and inhale deeply and forcefully. Remove inhaler from mouth and exhale (do not exhale into mouthpiece). Repeat procedure if 2nd dose required. Replace cover; rinse mouth with water (do not swallow).
  • Pulmicort Respules: Administer with a jet nebulizer connected to adequate air flow, equipped with a mouthpiece or face mask. Adjust face mask to avoid exposing eyes to nebulized medication. Wash face after use of face mask. Ultrasonic nebulizers are not adequate for administration and not recommended. Store respules upright, away from heat and protected from light. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Respules are stable for 2 wk at room temperature after opening aluminum foil envelope. Open respules must be used promptly. Unused respules should be returned to aluminum foil envelope.
  • Flovent Diskus/Arnuity Ellipta: Do not use with a spacer. Exhale completely and then close lips firmly around mouthpiece. While breathing in deeply and slowly, press down on canister. Hold breath for as long as possible to ensure deep instillation of medication. Remove inhaler from mouth and breathe out gently. Allow 1–2 min between inhalations. After inhalation, rinse mouth with water and spit out (see Appendix F). Never wash the mouthpiece or any part of the Diskus inhaler. Discard Diskus inhaler device (Flovent Diskus) 6 wks (50-mcg strength) or 2 mo (100-mcg and 250-mcg strengths) or blister tray (Arnuity Ellipta) 6 wks after removal from protective foil overwrap pouch or after all blisters have been used (whichever comes first).
  • Asmanex Twisthaler: Advise patient to remove cap while device is in upright position. To administer dose, exhale fully, then place mouthpiece between lips and inhale deeply and forcefully. Remove device from mouth and hold breath for 10 sec before exhaling (do not exhale into mouthpiece). Wipe the mouthpiece dry, if necessary, and replace the cap on the device. Rinse mouth with water. Advise patient to discard twisthaler 45 days from opening or when dose counter reads "00", whichever comes first.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes ⬆ ⬇

  • Management of the symptoms of chronic asthma.
  • Improvement in symptoms of asthma.

US Brand Names ⬆ ⬇

beclomethasone: QVAR

budesonide: Pulmicort Respules, Pulmicort Flexhaler

fluticasone: Arnuity Ellipta, Flovent Diskus, Flovent HFA

Mometasone: Asmanex HFA, Asmanex Twisthaler

Pot. Nursing Diagnoses ⬆