Bexitrol F 50/100

Indications

Bisoprolol is indicated-

• Hypertension
• Angina
• Moderate to severe heart failure

Pharmacology

Salmeterol Xinafoate is a selective, long acting beta-2 agonist used in the treatment of asthma and other forms of diffuse airways obstruction. Fluticasone Propionate is a corticosteroid with mainly glucocorticoid activity. Fluticasone Propionate is stated to exert a topical effect on the lungs without systematic effects at usual dose.

Salmeterol protects against symptoms, Fluticasone Propionate improves lung function and prevents exacerbations of the condition. This preparation can offer a more convenient regime for patients on concurrent β-agonist and inhaled corticosteroid therapy. The respective mechanisms of action of both drugs are discussed below:

Salmeterol: Salmeterol is a selective long-acting (12 hour) beta-2-adrenoceptor agonist with a long side chain which binds to the exo-site of the receptor.

Fluticasone Propionate: Fluticasone Propionate given by inhalation at recommended doses has a potent glucocorticoid anti-inflammatory action within the lungs, resulting in reduced symptoms and exacerbaions of asthma, without the adverse effects observed when corticosteroids are administered systemically.

Dosage

Inhalation Aerosol:

• Adults and adolescents 12 years and older: 2 puffs of 25 µg Salmeterol and 50 µg Fluticasone Propionate twice daily or 2 puffs of 25 µg Salmeterol and 125 µg Fluticasone Propionate twice daily or 2 puffs of 25 µg Salmeterol and 250 µg Fluticasone Propionate twice daily.
• Children (4-12 years): 2 puffs of 25 µg salmeterol and 50 µg Fluticasone Propionate twice daily.

Inhalation Powder in Capsule (For Asthma):

• Adult and Adolescent (12 Years and Older): Salmeterol 50 µg & Fluticasone 100 µg or Salmeterol 50 µg & Fluticasone 250 µg twice daily (morning and evening, approximately 12 hours apart). 
• The recommended starting dosages for Salmeterol 50 µg & Fluticasone 100 µg & Salmeterol 50 µg & Fluticasone 250 µg for patients aged 12 years and older are based upon patients asthma severity. 
• The maximum recommended dosage is Salmeterol 50 µg & Fluticasone 500 µg twice daily.
• Pediatric Patients (4 to 11 Years): For patients with asthma who are not controlled on an inhaled corticosteroid, the dosage is Salmeterol 50 µg & Fluticasone 100 µg twice daily (morning and evening, approximately 12 hours apart).

Inhalation Powder in Capsule (For COPD): Salmeterol 50 µg & Fluticasone 250 µg twice daily (morning and evening, approximately 12 hours apart). Rinsing the mouth after each inhalation is advised.

Inhalation Powder in Maxhaler (For Asthma): This is a moulded plastic device containing a foil strip with 60 regularly placed blisters containing pre-dispensed inhalation powder. Patients should be made aware that Maxhaler must be used daily for optimum benefit, even when asymptomatic.

Adults and Adolescents (12 years and older)-

• 50/100 Maxhaler: One Inhalation twice daily
• 50/250 Maxhaler: One Inhalation twice daily
• 50/500 Maxhaler: One Inhalation twice daily

Children (4 years and older)-

• 50/100 Maxhaler: One Inhalation twice daily. The maximum licensed dose of fluticasone propionate delivered by this Maxhaler in children is 100 ug twice daily. There are no data available for use of this Maxhaler in children aged under 4 years.

Inhalation Powder in Maxhaler (For COPD):

• Maxhaler: One Inhalation twice daily
• Special patient groups: There is no need to adjust the dose in elderly patients or in those with renal impairment. There are no data available for use of this in patients with hepatic impairment.
• Using the Maxhaler: This is a patient friendly, ready to use and easy to grip device. Use as per instructions for use.

Administration

Using an Inhaler seems simple, but most patients do not know how to use it in the right way. If the Inhaler is used in the wrong way, less medicine can reach the lungs. Correct and regular use of the Inhaler will prevent or lessen the severity of asthma attacks.

Following simple steps can help to use Inhaler effectively (According to "National Asthma Guidelines for Medical Practitioners" published by Asthma Association):

1. Take off the cap.
2. Shake the inhaler (at least six times) vigorously before each use.
3. If the inhaler is new or if it has not been used for a week or more, shake it well and release one puff into the air to make sure that it works.
4. Breathe out as full as comfortably possible & hold the inhaler upright.
5. Place the actuator into mouth between the teeth and close lips around the mouthpiece.
6. While breathing deeply and slowly through the mouth, press down firmly add fully on the canister to release medicine.
7. Remove the inhaler from mouth. Continue holding breath for at least for 10 seconds or as long as it is comfortable.
8. If doctor has prescribed more than one inhalation per treatment, wait 1 minute between puffs (inhalations). Shake the inhaler well and repeat steps 4 to 7.
9. After use, replace the cap on the mouthpiece. After each treatment, rinse mouth with water.
10. Check your technique in front of a mirror from time to time, if you see a white mist during the inhalation, you may not have closed your lips properly around mouthpiece, or you may not be breathing in as you press the can. This indicates failure of technique. If this happens, repeat the procedure from step 4 carefully.

Instructions for Cleaning Inhaler: Clean your Inhaler at least once a week. Remove canister and rinse the plastic actuator and cap in warm water but do not put the metal canister into water. Dry the actuator and cap thoroughly and gently replace the metal canister into the actuator with a twisting motion. Put the cap on the mouthpiece.

Interaction

Antidepressants such as SSRIs and related antidepressants should not be started for at least two weeks after stopping an MAOI. An MAOI, on the other hand, should not be started until at least one week after an SSRI or similar antidepressant has been discontinued (2 weeks in the case of paroxetine and sertraline, at least 5 weeks in the case of fluoxetine).

Contraindications

Escitalopram is not recommended for patients who have a known hypersensitivity to Escitalopram, Citalopram, or any of the drug's inactive ingredients. It's not a good idea to take escitalopram and monoamine oxidase/pimozide at the same time.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Administration of drugs during pregnancy and lactation should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus or child. There is insufficient experience of the use of Salmeterol Xinafoate and Fluticasone Propionate in human pregnancy and lactation. There are no data available for human breast milk.

Precautions & Warnings

Consideration should be given to additional corticosteroid therapies, and to including administration of antibiotics if an infection is present. As with all inhaled medication containing corticosteroids, this preparation should be administered with caution in patients with active or quiescent pulmonary tuberculosis. This preparation should be administered with caution in patients with thyrotoxicosis.

Therapeutic Class

Long-acting selective β-adrenoceptor stimulants, Respiratory corticosteroids

Storage Conditions

Protect from light and moisture by storing below 30°C. Keep the medicine out of children's reach.

Pharmaceutical Name