Assieme

Assieme Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Budesonide is a synthetic corticosteroid having potent glucocorticoid activity and weak mineralocorticoid activity. It has approximately a 200-fold higher affinity for the glucocorticoid receptor and a 1000-fold higher topical anti-inflammatory potency than cortisol. Corticosteroids have been shown to have a wide range of inhibitory activities against multiple cell types (e.g., mast cell, eosinophil, neutrophil, macrophage, and lymphocyte) and mediators (e.g., histamine, eicosanoids, leukotriene, and cytokine) involved in allergic mediated inflammation.

Budesonide is a glucocorticoid used to treat respiratory and digestive conditions by reducing inflammation. It has a wide therapeutic index, as dosing varies highly from patient to patient. Patients should be counselled regarding the risk of hypercorticism and adrenal axis suppression.

Formoterol fumarate is a long-acting β2-adrenergic receptor agonist (β2-agonist). Inhaled formoterol fumarate acts locally in the lung as a bronchodilator. In vitro studies have shown that formoterol has more than 200-fold greater agonist activity at β2-receptors than at β1-receptors. Although β2-receptors are the predominant adrenergic receptors in bronchial smooth muscle and β1-receptors are the predominant receptors in the heart, there are also β2-receptors in the human heart comprising 10%-50% of the total beta-adrenergic receptors. The precise function of these receptors has not been established, but they raise the possibility that even highly selective β2-agonists may have cardiac effects.

The pharmacologic effects of β2-adrenoceptor agonist drugs, including formoterol, are at least in part attributable to stimulation of intracellular adenyl cyclase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic-3', 5'-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP). Increased cyclic AMP levels cause relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle and inhibition of release of mediators of immediate hypersensitivity from cells, especially from mast cells.

In vitro tests show that formoterol is an inhibitor of the release of mast cell mediators, such as histamine and leukotrienes, from the human lung. Formoterol also inhibits histamine-induced plasma albumin extravasation in anesthetized guinea pigs and inhibits allergen-induced eosinophil influx in dogs with airway hyper-responsiveness. The relevance of these in vitro and animal findings to humans is unknown.

Formoterol works locally in the lungs as a bronchodilator, relaxing smooth muscle and opening up the airways. It possesses both a rapid onset of action (approximately 2-3 minutes) and a long duration of action (up to 12 hours). The use of long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs), such as formoterol, without concomitant inhaled corticosteroids in asthmatic patients should be avoided, as LABA monotherapy has been associated with an increased risk of asthma-related death.

Assieme
Uses
Dosage
Side Effect
Precautions
Interactions
Uses during Pregnancy
Uses during Breastfeeding
Accute Overdose
Food Interaction
Half Life
Volume of Distribution
Clearance
Interaction With other Medicine
Contradiction
Storage

Trade Name	Assieme
Generic	Budesonide + formoterol
Type
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer
Available Country	Italy
Last Updated:	September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am

Uses

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

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

Budesonide 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

Budesonide 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. Budesonide inhaler is not used for the relief of acute bronchospasm.

Treatment of Asthma: Formoterol Fumarate is used for the treatment of asthma and in the prevention of bronchospasm only as concomitant therapy with a long-term asthma control medication, such as an inhaled corticosteroid, in adults and children 5 years of age and older with reversible obstructive airways disease, including patients with symptoms of nocturnal asthma.

Prevention of Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm: Formoterol Fumarate is also used for the acute prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm in adults and children 5 years of age and older, when administered on an occasional, as-needed basis. Use of Formoterol Fumarate as a single agent for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm may be clinically used for patients who do not have persistent asthma. In patients with persistent asthma, use of Formoterol Fumarate for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm may be clinically used, but the treatment of asthma should include a long-term asthma control medication, such as an inhaled corticosteroid.

Maintenance Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Formoterol Fumarate is used for the long-term, twice daily (morning and evening) administration in the maintenance treatment of bronchoconstriction in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Assieme 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 DiseaseAsthma, Bronchial Asthma, Bronchoconstriction, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm, Moderate to Severe COPD

How Assieme 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.

Formoterol is a relatively selective long-acting agonist of beta₂-adrenergic receptors, although it does carry some degree of activity at beta₁ and beta₃ receptors. Beta₂ receptors are found predominantly in bronchial smooth muscle (with a relatively minor amount found in cardiac tissue) whereas beta₁ receptors are the predominant adrenergic receptors found in the heart - for this reason, selectivity for beta₂ receptors is desirable in the treatment of pulmonary diseases such as COPD and asthma. Formoterol has demonstrated an approximately 200-fold greater activity at beta₂ receptors over beta₁ receptors.

On a molecular level, activation of beta receptors by agonists like formoterol stimulates intracellular adenylyl cyclase, an enzyme responsible for the conversion of ATP to cyclic AMP (cAMP). The increased levels of cAMP in bronchial smooth muscle tissue result in relaxation of these muscles and subsequent dilation of the airways, as well as inhibition of the release of hypersensitivity mediators (e.g. histamine, leukotrienes) from culprit cells, especially mast cells.

Dosage

Assieme dosage

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

Inhalation Acute bronchospasm; Reversible airways obstruction:

As inhalation cap: 12 mcg twice daily, up to 24 meg twice daily in severe cases.
As dry powder inhaler: 6 or 12 mcg 1 -2 times/day, up to to 24 mcg twice daily in sever cases. As metered doses from aerosol inhaler: 12 or 24 mcg twice daily.

Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm: 6 or 12 mcg at least 15 mins before exercise. Additional doses may be given 12 hr later.

Side Effects

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

Common side effects are Viral infection, Bronchitis, Chest infection, Dyspnea , Chest pain, Tremor, Dizziness, Angina, Arrhythmias, Hypo/hypertension, Tachycardia, Hypokalemia, Hyperglycemia, Metabolic acidosis, Headache, Insomnia, Paradoxical bronchospasm, Severe asthma exacerbation

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.

The oral LD₅₀ in rats is 3130 mg/kg.

Symptoms of overdose are likely consistent with formoterol's adverse effect profile (i.e. consistent with excessive beta-adrenergic stimulation) and may include angina, hyper or hypotension, tachycardia, arrhythmia, nervousness, headache, tremor, seizures, dry mouth, etc. Patients may experience laboratory abnormalities including hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, and metabolic acidosis. Treatment of overdosage should consist of symptomatic and supportive therapy, with a particular focus on cardiac monitoring. Consider the use of a cardioselective beta-adrenergic blocker to oppose excessive adrenergic stimulation if clinically appropriate.

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.

Thyrotoxicosis; severe CV disorders e.g. ischaemic heart disease, tachyarrhythmias or severe heart burn; prolonged QT-interval. DM; pregnancy; lactation; children, do not initiate or increase the dose during an exacerbation. May produce paradoxical bronchospasm.

Interaction

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

Concomitant treatment with xanthine derivatives, steroids or diuretics may potentiate a possible hypokalaemic effect of beta-agonists. Increased susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmias in patients treated with digitalis. Concomitant use with quinidine, disopyramide, procainamide, phenothiazines, antihistamines, MAOI or TCAs can prolong the QT-interval and increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmias. L-dopa, L-thyroxine, oxytocin and alcohol can impair cardiac tolerance towards beta2-sympathomimetics. beta-adrenergic blockers can inhibit the effect of formoterol. Increased risk of arrhythmias in patients receiving concomitant anaesthesia with halogenated hydrocarbons.

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.

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

The pulmonary bioavailability of formoterol has been estimated to be about 43% of the delivered dose, while the total systemic bioavailability is approximately 60% of the delivered dose (as systemic bioavailability accounts for absorption in the gut).

Formoterol is rapidly absorbed into plasma following inhalation. In healthy adults, formoterol T_max ranged from 0.167 to 0.5 hours. Following a single dose of 10 mcg, C_max and AUC were 22 pmol/L and 81 pmol.h/L, respectively. In asthmatic adult patients, T_max ranged from 0.58 to 1.97 hours. Following single-dose administration of 10mcg, C_max and AUC_0-12h were 22 pmol/L and 125 pmol.h/L, respectively; following multiple-dose administration of 10 mcg, C_max and AUC_0-12h were 41 pmol/L and 226 pmol.h/L, respectively. Absorption appears to be proportional to dose across standard dosing ranges.

Half Life

Budesonide 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.

The average terminal elimination half-life of formoterol following inhalation is 7-10 hours, depending on the formulation given. The plasma half-life of formoterol has been estimated to be 3.4 hours following oral administration and 1.7-2.3 hours following inhalation.

Clearance

Budesonide 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.

Renal clearance of formoterol following inhalation is approximately 157 mL/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.

Elimination differs depending on the route and formulation administered. Following oral administration in 2 healthy subjects, approximately 59-62% and 32-34% of an administered dose was eliminated in the urine and feces, respectively. Another study which attempted to mimic inhalation via combined intravenous/oral administration noted approximately 62% of the administered dose in the urine and 24% in the feces. Following inhalation in patients with asthma, approximately 10% and 15-18% of the administered dose was excreted in urine as unchanged parent drug and direct formoterol glucuronides, respectively, and corresponding values in patients with COPD were 7% and 6-9%, respectively.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

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

Budesonide 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.

Pregnancy Category-C. Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks

Lactation: Not known if it is excreted in breast milk or not.

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of Budesonide.

Hypersensitivity.

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.