home > drugs a-z list > aerospan hfa (flunisolide hemihydrate) drug center > aerospan hfa (flunisolide hemihydrate) drug - medication guide and patient information

AEROSPAN™
(AIR-oh-span)
(flunisolide HFA, 80 mcg) Inhalation Aerosol

Read the Patient Information that comes with AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol before you start using it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This leaflet does not take the place of talking with your doctor or healthcare professional about your condition or treatment.

What is AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol?

• AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol is an inhaled corticosteroid medicine. It is used to control and prevent asthma symptoms in patients 6 years and older.
• Inhaled corticosteroids help to decrease inflammation in the lungs. Inflammation in the lungs can lead to asthma symptoms.
• AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol is used for daily maintenance treatment of asthma. To get the full benefit of this medicine, use it regularly. Use only as directed by your doctor or healthcare professional.

Who should not use AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol?

Do not use AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. The active ingredient is flunisolide hemihydrate. The inactive ingredients are ethanol and Tetrafluoroethane.

When should you not use AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol?

AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol does not help sudden breathing problems (wheezing). Do not use AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol for relief of a severe asthma attack. A short-acting bronchodilator, such as albuterol inhaler, should be used for immediate relief during an acute asthma attack. Contact your doctor if:

• an asthma attack does not respond to the immediate relief medicine.
• you require more of immediate relief medicine than usual.

What should I tell my doctor before taking AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol?

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you

• have any infections
• have or had tuberculosis
• have been around anyone with chicken pox or measles
• are planning on having surgery
• are allergic to any other inhaled corticosteroid medicine. Ask your doctor if you are not sure.
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol may harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding. It is not known if AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol passes into your milk and if it can harm your baby.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Know all the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I use AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol?

See the step-by-step instructions for using AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol at the end of this leaflet.

• Follow the step-by-step instructions carefully. Failure to breathe in at the same time as spraying AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol will lead to inadequate drug delivery. You may only get 1/4 or less of the dose if you delay breathing in by as little as one second.
• Use AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop using AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol, and do not change the amount of AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol you take, without talking to your doctor.
• An adult should help a child use their AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol.
• It may take two or more weeks after starting AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol for your asthma symptoms to improve. Call your doctor right away if your breathing problems do not improve or get worse. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after four weeks.
• If you miss a dose, just take your next scheduled dose when it is due. Do not double the dose. Do not inhale more doses or use this inhaler more often than instructed by your doctor.
• Do not use the AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol device with any external spacer.
• This device does not need cleaning during normal use. Do not attempt to separate the purple actuator from the gray spacer.
• The plastic actuator/spacer assembly supplied as part of AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol should not be used with any other inhalation product canisters; and the actuator from other products should not be used with an AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol canister.Inspect the spacer and mouthpiece for the presence of foreign objects before use.

What should I avoid while taking AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol?

If you have not had chicken pox or measles you should stay away from people who are infected. You could get a severe and life-threatening infection.

What are the possible side effects of AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol?

• Increased wheezing right after taking AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol. Always have a short-acting bronchodilator medicine with you to treat sudden wheezing. Short-acting bronchodilator medicines help to relax the muscles around the airways in your lungs. Wheezing happens when the muscles around the airways tighten. This makes it hard to breathe. In severe cases, wheezing can stop your breathing and cause death if not treated right away.
• Immune system effects and a higher chance for infections
• Slowed growth in children. A child's growth should be checked regularly while taking AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol.
• Lower bone mineral density. This may be a problem for people who already have a higher chance for low bone density (osteoporosis).
• Eye problems including glaucoma and cataracts. You should have regular eye exams while using AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol.

These are not all of the possible side effects of AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

How should I store AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol?

• Store at room temperature between 59°F and 86°F (15°C to 30°C). For best results, the canister should be at room temperature before use.
• Do not use after the date shown as “EXP” on the label or box.
• The contents of AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol are under pressure. Do not puncture the canister. Do not use or store near heat or open flame. Protect from freezing temperatures and prolonged exposure to sunlight. Exposure to temperature above 120°F (49°C) may cause bursting. Never throw the canister into a fire or incinerator.
• Keep AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about the safe and effective use of AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information leaflets. Do not use AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.

This patient information leaflet summarizes the most important information about AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol that is written for health professionals. For more information, call Forest Laboratories at 1-800-678-1605 extension 66297.

Instructions for Using your AEROSPAN™ (flunisolide HFA, 80 mcg) Inhalation Aerosol

Follow the instructions below for using your AEROSPAN™ (flunisolide hemihydrate) (flunisolide HFA, 80 mcg) Inhalation Aerosol. Read all of the instructions carefully before using. The inhaler should be at room temperature before use. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. For further information on proper use of AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol, see the Patient Information sheet and talk with your doctor or healthcare professional.

1. AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol is a self-contained, compact unit as shown in Figures 1a and 1b. It is portable and easy to use. The inhaler unit is made up of 2 parts. The purple inner part is called the “actuator,” and it holds the metal canister of medicine. The gray outer part is called the “spacer,” and it includes the mouthpiece through which you inhale the medicine. Before use, check to be sure that the metal canister of medicine inserted fully into the purple actuator.

2. To open the inhaler: Pull the purple actuator out from the gray spacer. You will see that there are ribbed finger pads on the sides of the gray spacer.

• Grip the ribbed finger pads on the sides of the gray spacer with the thumb and forefinger of one hand (see Figure 2a).

• Gently pull on the lip at the top of the purple actuator with the other hand. (See Figure 2b).
• Inspect the spacer and mouthpiece for the presence of foreign objects.

3. To position the inhaler for use: Snap it into an “L” shape (90° angle) as shown in Figure 3. It will only move in one direction.

4. Check that the guide lines on the purple actuator and the gray spacer match up as shown in Figure 4.

• The lines on the ribbed finger pads of the gray spacer should match up with the lines across the back of the purple actuator.
• The lines on the top of the gray spacer and the purple actuator should match up. Make sure there is no opening at the top of the unit where the purple actuator and the gray spacer come together.
• Once the lines are matched up, your AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol is ready for use.

5. Place the bottom of the gray spacer on the base of your thumb and your index finger on the top of the metal canister as shown as shown in Figure 5. Your hand will be at the side of the device.

6. Shake the inhaler (see Figure 6).

7. If you are using the inhaler for the first time, or if the inhaler has not been used for more than 2 weeks, you will need to prepare (prime) the inhaler. Press down on the metal canister of medicine 2 times for one second each in order to release 2 test sprays into the air away from your face (see Figure 7). Do not spray the medicine in your eyes.

8. Shake the inhaler immediately before each use (see Figure 8).

9. Stand upright with your neck and head straight. Hold the inhaler with the metal canister facing upward and the mouthpiece of the spacer facing toward you. Place your thumb on the bottom of the gray spacer and your index finger on the top of the metal canister (see Figure 9).

10. Breathe in (inhale) and breathe out (exhale) normally through your mouth (see Figure 10).

11. After breathing out, bring the inhaler to your mouth and hold the mouthpiece firmly between your lips (see Figure 11).

12. Start breathing in slowly. While breathing in, fully depress the metal canister of medicine with your index finger for at least one second (see Figure 12). Continue to breathe in through your mouth for 3 more seconds.

Caution: It is important to begin breathing in through your mouth right before pressing down on the canister. This helps you get the right amount of medicine.

13. After 3 seconds, remove the inhaler from your mouth but do not breathe out yet. Close your lips and hold your breath for at least 10 seconds or as long as comfortable. (see Figure 13).

14. After 10 seconds of holding your breath, breathe out and then breathe normally (see Figures 14a and 14b).

NOTE: If your doctor has prescribed 2 or more sprays (inhalations) at each use, wait 20 seconds, then repeat Steps 8 to 14.

15. To close your inhaler:

• Snap the purple actuator back to the straight position.
• Gently push the purple actuator back into the gray spacer as shown in Figure 15.

16. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and spit it out (see Figure 16). This removes any remaining medicine from your mouth. You may also want to brush your teeth.

NOTE:

If your mouth becomes sore or you get a rash, tell your doctor — but do not stop using your inhaler unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Remember:

• You will receive a new AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol each time you refill your prescription.
• Discard the old inhaler when you get your new one.

How to Check the Contents of Your Canister

Shaking the canister will not tell you how much medicine in the AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol is left.

Use one of the check-off charts to keep track of the amount of medicine you have used.

• If your canister has 60 sprays, use the “AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol 60 Sprays Check-Off” chart.
• If your canister has 120 sprays, use the “AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol 120 Sprays Check-Off” chart.

AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol 60 Sprays Check-Off

• Keep this chart with your inhaler or in a handy place.
• If you are using the inhaler for the first time or if you have not used your inhaler for more than 2 weeks, prepare (prime) the inhaler. Follow the instructions provided above in Steps # 5 and #6 then check off the two circled P's (P = prime) in the chart below.
• Check off a numbered circle each time you use your inhaler. Count each spray. Start with spray # 60.
• Before you reach the final number of sprays, contact your doctor to find out whether you need a refill.

Discard inhaler after 60 sprays – Discard the inhaler (canister plus actuator) when the labeled number of sprays have been used. The canister is not empty, but you might not get the right amount of medicine in each spray after 60 sprays. Never immerse the canister into water to determine the amount remaining in the canister (“float test”).

P = prime Dosing Sprays

AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol 120 Metered Sprays Check-Off

• Keep this chart with your inhaler or in a handy place.
• If you are using the inhaler for the first time or if you have not used your inhaler for more than 2 weeks, prepare (prime) the inhaler. Follow the instructions provided above in Steps # 5 and #6 then check off the two circled P's (P = prime) in the chart below.
• Check off a numbered circle each time you use your inhaler. Count each spray. Start with spray #120.
• Before you reach the final number of sprays, contact your doctor to find out whether you need a refill.

Discard inhaler after 120 sprays – Discard the inhaler (canister plus actuator) when the labeled number of sprays have been used. The canister is not empty, but you might not get the right amount of medicine in each spray after 120 sprays. Never immerse the canister into water to determine the amount remaining in the canister (“float test”).

P = prime Dosing Sprays

For further information, contact your doctor, or call Forest Laboratories at 1-800-678-1605 extension 66297.

Last reviewed on RxList: 1/13/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.