PULMICORT TURBUHALER is indicated for the maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy in adult and pediatric patients six years of age or older.

It is also indicated for patients requiring oral corticosteroid therapy for asthma.

Many of those patients may be able to reduce or eliminate their requirement for oral corticosteroids over time.PULMICORT TURBUHALER is NOT indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm.

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Asthma -- A form of bronchial disorder with three distinct components: airway hyper-responsiveness (RESPIRATORY HYPERSENSITIVITY), airway INFLAMMATION, and intermittent AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION. It is characterized by spasmodic contraction of airway smooth muscle, WHEEZING, and dyspnea (DYSPNEA, PAROXYSMAL).

Acute bronchospasm --

PULMICORT TURBUHALER is contraindicated in the primary treatment of status asthmaticus or other acute episodes of asthma where intensive measures are required.Hypersensitivity to budesonide contraindicates the use of PULMICORT TURBUHALER.

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Status Asthmaticus -- A sudden intense and continuous aggravation of a state of asthma, marked by dyspnea to the point of exhaustion and collapse and not responding to the usual therapeutic efforts.

Asthma -- A form of bronchial disorder with three distinct components: airway hyper-responsiveness (RESPIRATORY HYPERSENSITIVITY), airway INFLAMMATION, and intermittent AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION. It is characterized by spasmodic contraction of airway smooth muscle, WHEEZING, and dyspnea (DYSPNEA, PAROXYSMAL).

Hypersensitivity -- Altered reactivity to an antigen, which can result in pathologic reactions upon subsequent exposure to that particular antigen.

Particular care is needed for patients who are transferred from systemically active corticosteroids to PULMICORT TURBUHALER because deaths due to adrenal insufficiency have occurred in asthmatic patients during and after transfer from systemic corticosteroids to less systemically available inhaled corticosteroids.

After withdrawal from systemic corticosteroids, a number of months are required for recovery of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function.Patients who have been previously maintained on 20 mg or more per day of prednisone (or its equivalent) may be most susceptible, particularly when their systemic corticosteroids have been almost completely withdrawn.

During this period of HPA suppression, patients may exhibit signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency when exposed to trauma, surgery, or infection (particularly gastroenteritis) or other conditions associated with severe electrolyte loss.

Although PULMICORT TURBUHALER may provide control of asthma symptoms during these episodes, in recommended doses it supplies less than normal physiological amounts of glucocorticoid systemically and does NOT provide the mineralocorticoid activity that is necessary for coping with these emergencies.During periods of stress or a severe asthma attack, patients who have been withdrawn from systemic corticosteroids should be instructed to resume oral corticosteroids (in large doses) immediately and to contact their physicians for further instruction.

These patients should also be instructed to carry a medical identification card indicating that they may need supplementary systemic corticosteroids during periods of stress or a severe asthma attack.Patients requiring oral corticosteroids should be weaned slowly from systemic corticosteroid use after transferring to PULMICORT TURBUHALER.

Lung function (FEV1 or AM PEF), beta-agonist use, and asthma symptoms should be carefully monitored during withdrawal of oral corticosteroids.

In addition to monitoring asthma signs and symptoms, patients should be observed for signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency such as fatigue, lassitude, weakness, nausea and vomiting, and hypotension.Transfer of patients from systemic corticosteroid therapy to PULMICORT TURBUHALER may unmask allergic conditions previously suppressed by the systemic corticosteroid therapy, eg, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, arthritis, eosinophilic conditions and eczema (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).Patients who are on drugs that suppress the immune system are more susceptible to infection than healthy individuals.

Chicken pox and measles, for example, can have a more serious or even fatal course in susceptible pediatric patients or adults on immunosuppressant doses of corticosteroids.

In pediatric or adult patients who have not had these diseases, particular care should be taken to avoid exposure.

How the dose, route, and duration of corticosteroid administration affects the risk of developing a disseminated infection is not known.

The contribution of the underlying disease and/or prior corticosteroid treatment to the risk is also not known.

If exposed, therapy with varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) or pooled intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), as appropriate, may be indicated.

If exposed to measles, prophylaxis with pooled intramuscular immunoglobulin (IG) may be indicated.

(See the respective package inserts for complete VZIG and IG prescribing information.) If chicken pox develops, treatment with antiviral agents may be considered.PULMICORT TURBUHALER is not a bronchodilator and is not indicated for rapid relief of bronchospasm or other acute episodes of asthma.As with other inhaled asthma medications, bronchospasm, with an immediate increase in wheezing, may occur after dosing.

If bronchospasm occurs following dosing with PULMICORT TURBUHALER, it should be treated immediately with a fast-acting inhaled bronchodilator.

Treatment with PULMICORT TURBUHALER should be discontinued and alternate therapy instituted.

Patients should be instructed to contact their physician immediately when episodes of asthma not responsive to their usual doses of bronchodilators occur during treatment with PULMICORT TURBUHALER.

During such episodes, patients may require therapy with oral corticosteroids.