ALIFLUS ® Salmeterol and Fluticasone

ALIFLUS ® is a drug based on Salmeterol Xinafoate and Fluticasone propionate

THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Adrenergics for aerosols

IndicationsAction mechanismStudies and clinical effectiveness Usage and dosage instructionsWarnings Pregnancy and lactationInteractionsContraindicationsUndesirable effects

Indications ALIFLUS ® Salmeterol and Fluticasone

ALIFLUS ® is indicated for the regular treatment of asthma in patients inadequately responsive to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and Beta 2 agonists as needed and in patients requiring long-acting treatment.

Mechanism of action ALIFLUS ® Salmeterol and Fluticasone

ALIFLUS ® owes its intense therapeutic activity to the presence of two active ingredients with different and complementary biological properties, particularly valuable for the treatment of asthma.

More precisely, in ALIFLUS ® we find the Salmeterol, selective beta 2 adrenergic receptor agonist, characterized by a long duration of action of about 12 hours, useful in determining a prolonged bronchodilation carried out through the inhibition of bronchial smooth muscle contractility, and the Fluticasone propionate, synthetic corticosteroid endowed with an intense anti-inflammatory activity important in reducing the inflammatory stimulus present at the level of the area pathways, at the same time guaranteeing a sensitive antiallergic activity, characterized by control over the recall and activation of cellular elements involved in the allergic response.

The topical inhalation use of ALIFLUS ® on the one hand and the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the two active principles on the other, significantly minimizing the share of systemically absorbed drug, considerably reduce the classic risks associated with systemic therapy, making therapy generally safe and well tolerated .

Studies carried out and clinical efficacy

SALMETEROL AND FLUTICASONE IN THE TREATMENT OF COPD

Respir Med. 2013 Apr; 107 (4): 542-9. doi: 10.1016 / j.rmed.2012.12.020. Epub 2013 Jan 20.

Hagedorn C, Kässner F, Banik N, Ntampakas P, Fielder K.

Work demonstrating the efficacy of Salmeterol and Fluticasone treatment in the treatment of respiratory problems in patients with severe obstructive pulmonary disease, and is also particularly safe and well tolerated.

EFFECTIVENESS AND CARDIOVASCULAR SAFETY OF THERAPY WITH BETA AGONISTS AT LONG LIFE OF ACTION

Lung. 2013 Oct 24. [Epub ahead of print]

Iftikhar IH, Imtiaz M, Brett AS, Amrol DJ.

Interesting study that demonstrates how the use of long-acting inhaled Beta agonists associated with corticosteroids in patients with asthma, is generally safe from a cardiovascular standpoint without causing risk variations

ASSOCIATED THERAPIES FOR ASTHMA: COSTS AND BENEFITS

Prim Care Respir J. 2013 Nov 2. pii: pcrj-2013-06-0090-R1. doi: 10.4104 / pcrj.2013.00088. [Epub ahead of print]

Price D, Small I, Haughney J, Ryan D, Gruffydd-Jones K, Workers F, Harris T, Burden A, Brockman J, King C, Papi A.

A study that demonstrates how the therapeutic switch from Fluticasone and Salmeterol to other associations can lead to savings in terms of health costs, without however determining a further improvement in the symptoms.

Method of use and dosage

ALIFLUS ®

Pressurized suspension for inhalation of 25 mcg of Salmeterol xinafoate and 50, 125 or 250 mcg of Fluticasone propionate.

The definition of the therapeutic scheme and of the timing of the assumption must necessarily be defined by the own doctor following a careful evaluation of the health conditions of the patient, of the clinical picture in progress and of the ability of therapeutic response to the treatment.

In principle, the therapy involves two daily inhalations, even in the absence of symptoms, taking care to administer the minimum dosage necessary to ensure an effective control of the symptoms.

The doctor should also constantly monitor the patient's state of health, informing him about the correct methods of use of the dispenser and about the potential side effects associated with the therapy.

Warnings ALIFLUS ® Salmeterol and Fluticasone

ALIFLUS ® therapy requires continuous and careful supervision by the physician, who should pay attention:

at the onset of potential side effects;
to the reduction or increase of the complained symptomatology, taking care to adjust the dosage or institute a suitable support therapy;
the correct use of the dispenser and the drug by the patient;
the use of the drug in particular risk categories such as patients suffering from diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, the elderly and malnourished.

At the same time the patient should scrupulously follow all the indications given by the doctor, consulting him immediately if he feels variations in the symptoms or the onset of new symptoms.

In any case, the doctor should set up a therapy that guarantees the therapeutic effect with the lowest possible dose.

It is also useful to remember that the use of Beta2agonists without clinical necessity is prohibited in and out of the race.

PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING

Given the presence of studies, albeit experimental, which demonstrate a potential toxicity of beta 2 agonists and glucorticoids on the fetus, it would be appropriate to extend the aforementioned contraindications to use also during pregnancy and the subsequent breastfeeding period, limiting their use exclusively to cases of inevitable necessity and still under the supervision of your doctor.

Interactions

The patient receiving ALIFLUS ® should avoid the simultaneous use of selective and non-selective Beta blockers.

Furthermore, despite the systemic absorption of the two active ingredients is minimal and clinically irrelevant, it would be advisable in any case to avoid the simultaneous use of inducers or inhibitors of the cytochromial system, in order to reduce possible variations in the pharmacokinetic properties of the two active ingredients.

Contraindications ALIFLUS ® Salmeterol and Fluticasone

The use of ALIFLUS ® is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or to one of its excipients.

Undesirable effects - Side effects

Therapy with ALIFLUS ®, especially followed by prolonged use over time, could determine the appearance of candidiasis of the mouth and throat, pneumonia, bronchitis, throat irritation, hoarseness, sinusitis, headache and tremors.

Fortunately, clinically more relevant systemic adverse reactions are rarer.