Arsicort

Uses

Arsicort is a glucocorticoid used for the induction of remission in patients with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.

Arsicort Nebuliser suspension is used for the maintenance treatment and as prophylactic therapy of asthma.

Arsicort Nasal Spray is used for-

• Prophylaxis and treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis
• Prophylaxis and treatment of vasomotor rhinitis
• Symptomatic relief of nasal polyposis
• Prevention against nasal polyps after polypectomy

Arsicort Inhaler is used for the maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy in adult and paediatric patients six years of age or older. It is also used 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. Arsicort inhaler is not used for the relief of acute bronchospasm.

Arsicort is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Allergic Rhinitis (AR), Allergies, Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Collagenous Colitis, Crohn's Disease (CD), Nasal Congestion, Oesophagitis, Eosinophilic, Polyps, Nasal, Pruritus, Rhinosinusitis, Ulcerative Colitis, Vasomotor Rhinitis, Corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses, Mild Crohn’s Disease, Moderate Crohn’s Disease

How Arsicort works

The short term effects of corticosteroids are decreased vasodilation and permeability of capillaries, as well as decreased leukocyte migration to sites of inflammation. Corticosteroids binding to the glucocorticoid receptor mediates changes in gene expression that lead to multiple downstream effects over hours to days.

Glucocorticoids inhibit neutrophil apoptosis and demargination; they inhibit phospholipase A2, which decreases the formation of arachidonic acid derivatives; they inhibit NF-Kappa B and other inflammatory transcription factors; they promote anti-inflammatory genes like interleukin-10.

Lower doses of corticosteroids provide an anti-inflammatory effect, while higher doses are immunosuppressive. High doses of glucocorticoids for an extended period bind to the mineralocorticoid receptor, raising sodium levels and decreasing potassium levels.

Dosage

Arsicort dosage

Children 3 months to 12 years of age: 0.5 - 1 mg twice daily.Adults and elderly: 1 - 2 mg twice daily.

Side Effects

●headache● nausea● upper abdominal pain● fatigue● acne● flatulence● joint pain● urinary tract infection● abdominal distension● constipation

Toxicity

Acute overdose of corticosteroids is rare, however prolonged high dosing of corticosteroids can lead to hypercorticism and adrenal axis suppression. In the case of overdose, reduce the dosage of corticosteroids temporarily.

A 200mg oral dose is lethal to female mice while a 400mg oral dose is lethal to male mice.

Precaution

● Since budesonide is a glucocorticoid, general warnings concerning glucocorticoids should be followed.

● Risk of impaired adrenal function when transferring from glucocorticoid treatment with higher systemiceffects to glucocorticoid treatment with lower systemic effects, such as budesonide. Taper patients slowly fromsystemic corticosteroids if transferring to budesonide.

● Potential worsening of infections (e.g., chickenpox, measles, existing tuberculosis, fungal, bacterial, viral, orparasitic infection). Use with caution in patients with these infections.

● Reduced liver function affects the elimination of glucocorticoid, and increases systemic availability of oralbudesonide.

Interaction

Avoid Cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole, grapefruit juice). It may cause increased systemic corticosteroid effects. Arsicort does not affect the plasma levels of oral contraceptives.

Food Interaction

• Take with or without food. Food delays drug absorption, but not to a clinically significant extent.

[Moderate] GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations and systemic effects of orally administered budesonide.

The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

According to the manufacturer, the systemic exposure of oral budesonide approximately doubles after extensive intake of grapefruit juice.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving budesonide should avoid the regular consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice to prevent undue increases in plasma budesonide levels and systemic effects.

Arsicort Drug Interaction

Minor: arformoterol, arformoterol, albuterol / ipratropium, albuterol / ipratropium, albuterol, albuterolUnknown: polyethylene glycol 3350, polyethylene glycol 3350, acetaminophen, montelukast, montelukast, acetaminophen, acetaminophen, cyanocobalamin, cyanocobalamin, ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid, cholecalciferol, cholecalciferol, cetirizine

Arsicort Disease Interaction

Moderate: hepatic impairment, hepatic impairment, hyperadrenocorticism, infections, ocular herpes simplex, ocular toxicities, osteoporosis

Volume of Distribution

The volume of distribution of budesonide is 2.2-3.9L/kg.

Elimination Route

Extended release oral capsules are 9-21% bioavailable. A 9mg dose reaches a C_max of 1.50±0.79ng/mL with a T_max of 2-8h and an AUC of 7.33ng*hr/mL. A high fat meal increases the T_max by 2.3h but otherwise does not affect the pharmacokinetics of budesonide.

180-360µg metered inhaled doses of budesonide are 34% deposited in the lungs, 39% bioavailable, and reach a C_max of 0.6-1.6nmol/L with a T_max of 10 minutes.

A 1mg nebulized dose is 6% bioavailable, reaching a C_max of 2.6nmol/L with a T_max of 20 minutes.

A 9mg oral extended release tablet reaches a C_max of 1.35±0.96ng/mL with a T_max of 13.3±5.9h and an AUC of 16.43±10.52ng*hr/mL.

Arsicort rectal foam 2mg twice daily has an AUC of 4.31ng*hr/mL.

Half Life

Arsicort has a plasma elimination half life of 2-3.6h. The terminal elimination half life in asthmatic children 4-6 years old is 2.3h.

Clearance

Arsicort has a plasma clearance of 0.9-1.8L/min. The 22R form has a clearance of 1.4L/min while the 22S form has a clearance of 1.0L/min. The clearance in asthmatic children 4-6 years old is 0.5L/min.

Elimination Route

Approximately 60% of a budesonide dose is recovered in the urine as the major metabolites 6beta-hydroxybudesonide, 16alpha-hydroxyprednisolone, and their conjugates. No unchanged budesonide is recovered in urine.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy Category CThere are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Arsicort should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.Nursing mothers

Arsicort is secreted in human milk. So, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or budesonide taking into account the clinical importance of the drug to the mother.

Use in childrenSafety and effectiveness of budesonide in pediatric patients have not been established.Use in Hepatic Impaired patientsMonitor patients for signs and/or symptoms of hypercorticism.

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of Arsicort.

Acute Overdose

If glucocorticoids are used at excessive doses for prolonged periods, systemic glucocorticoid effects such as hypercorticism and adrenal suppression may occur.

Symptoms: Decreased motor activity, piloerection, generalised oedema. Management: Immediate gastric lavage or emesis followed by supportive and symptomatic treatment.

Innovators Monograph

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