Flunisolide

From Anvita Health Wiki

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Indications 3 Dosage 4 Pharmacokinetics 5 Adverse-effects 6 Mechanism-of-action 7 More General Terms 8 Internet Database 9 References

Introduction

• Tradenames: Nasalide, AeroBid.

Indications

• seasonal or perennial rhinitis
• prophylaxis for asthma

Dosage

• nasal spray: start 2 sprays (50 ug) BID, max 8 sprays/day
• inhaler: 2 puffs BID

Pharmacokinetics

• onset of action is 1-4 weeks
  

• elimination via liver
• 1/2life = 1.8 hours

Adverse-effects

• common (> 10%)

• bitter taste, nervousness, headache, hoarseness, GI irritation, oral candidiasis, increased susceptibility to infection, dizziness, anorexia, coughing, upper respiratory tract infection, pounding heartbeat, menstrual problems, itching, rash, bronchitis

• less common (1-10%)

• epistaxis, insomnia, diaphoresis, increased appetite, dry mouth & throat, psychic changes, acne, hives, cataracts, loss of smell & taste

• uncommon (< 1%)

• bronchospasm, shortness of breath, abdominal fullness

• other

• irritation of nasal mucosa
• rarely nasal ulceration
• oral candidiasis ( thrush)
  
• drug adverse effects of glucocorticoids
• drug adverse effects of immunosuppressive agents

Mechanism-of-action

• inhaler

• no significant cortisol suppression at 2 mg/day (8 puffs)
• no effect on bone density after 1 year at 1 mg/day (4 puffs)

• nasal preparation

• does NOT inhibit IgE synthesis or mast cell degranulation
• inhibits cytokine production, arachidonate metabolism, inflammation & mast cell proliferation

More General Terms

• glucocorticoid
• antiasthmatic agent

Internet Database

PubChem: 3379
PubChem: 82153
PubChem: 5282377
PubChem: 53655

References

1. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed. Gilman et al, eds. Permagon Press/McGraw Hill, 1996
2. Saunders Manual of Medical Practice, Rakel (ed), WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1996, pg 85
3. Forest Pharmaceuticals
4. Mayo Internal Medicine Board Review, 1998-99, Prakash UBS (ed) Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1998, pg 743
5. Kaiser Permanente Northern California Regional Drug Formulary, 1998
6. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA National Formulary

flunisolide (Nasalide, Nasarel AeroBid)