Australian Doctor Australian Doctor 3rd November 2017 | Page 9

TURBU + BLUETOOTH DEVICE
™
HELP IMPROVE ADHERENCE TO ASTHMA AND COPD THERAPY
1
Reminds patients when
to take Symbicort
Provides motivational messages
to help patients stay on track
Tracks medication usage with reporting
for patients and their doctor
Bluetooth connection pairs any
Symbicort Turbuhaler
with Apple or Android devices
Free for your Turbuhaler patients
Find out more at azhealth.com.au
Improve adherence and
establish the right behaviour 1
Motivate patients to
self-manage asthma or COPD
Support better dialogue
and better decisions 1
Asthma: Symbicort ® Maintenance And Reliever Therapy (Symbicort ® SMART ™ )
PBS Information: Restricted benefit. For single maintenance and reliever therapy in patients ≥12 years who have experienced frequent asthma symptoms
while receiving treatment with oral or inhaled corticosteroids or a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and a long acting beta-2-agonist
(Symbicort Turbuhaler 400/12 and Symbicort Rapihaler 200/6 is not recommended nor PBS subsidised for use in maintenance and reliever therapy).
Asthma: Symbicort ® Maintenance Therapy
PBS Information: Restricted benefit. Patients ≥12 years who previously had frequent episodes of asthma while receiving treatment with
oral corticosteroids or optimal doses of inhaled corticosteroids (Symbicort Turbuhaler 400/12 is indicated in patients ≥18 years).
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
PBS Information: Symbicort Turbuhaler 400/12: Restricted Benefit. Symptomatic treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
in adults where the FEV 1 <50% predicted normal and there is a history of repeated exacerbations with significant symptoms despite regular beta-2-agonist
bronchodilator therapy. Symbicort is not indicated for the initiation of bronchodilator therapy in COPD (Symbicort Turbuhaler 200/6 is not PBS listed for COPD).
BEFORE PRESCRIBING PLEASE REVIEW FULL PRODUCT INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
FROM ASTRAZENECA ON 1800 805 342 OR www.astrazeneca.com.au/PI
Symbicort ® Turbuhaler ® (budesonide and eformoterol fumarate dihydrate) for oral inhalation. Indications: Asthma: Treatment of asthma where use of a combination (inhaled corticosteroid and long acting β 2 -agonist) is appropriate in adults and adolescents.
COPD: Symptomatic treatment of moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), (FEV 1 ≤50% predicted normal) in adults with frequent symptoms despite long acting bronchodilator use, and/or a history of recurrent exacerbations. Symbicort is
not indicated for the initiation of bronchodilator therapy in COPD. Dosage: Asthma: There are two alternative treatment regimens for asthma: Symbicort Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (SMART TM ) or Symbicort Maintenance Therapy. Refer to Product Information
for full details on dosage. Symbicort Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (SMART TM ) for Asthma: Symbicort 100/6 and 200/6: Adults and adolescents >12 years: 2 inhalations per day given as either 1 inhalation twice daily or 2 inhalations in either the morning
or evening. For some patients, a maintenance dose of Symbicort 200/6 2 inhalations twice daily may be appropriate. Patients may take an additional inhalation as needed in response to symptoms, up to 6 inhalations at one time. If patients experience a three-day
period of deteriorating symptoms after taking the appropriate dose, the patient should be re-assessed. A total daily dose of up to 12 inhalations can be used temporarily. Symbicort 400/12: The 400/12 strength should not be used for Symbicort Maintenance and
Reliever therapy. Symbicort Maintenance Therapy for Asthma: Symbicort 100/6 and 200/6: Adults and adolescents ≥12 years: 1–2 inhalations twice daily. Symbicort 400/12: Adults ≥18 years: 1–2 inhalations twice daily. Dosage: COPD: Symbicort
200/6: 2 inhalations twice daily. Symbicort 400/12: 1 inhalation twice daily. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients. Precautions: Symbicort therapy should not be initiated to treat a severe exacerbation. Not for initiation of inhaled steroids in
patients transferring from oral steroids; impaired adrenal function; infections of the respiratory system; increased susceptibility to sympathomimetic amines; severe cardiovascular conditions; hypokalaemia; diabetes; impaired renal and hepatic function; pregnancy
(category B3); lactation; children <12 years. Pneumonia: Physicians should remain vigilant for the possible development of pneumonia in patients with COPD as the clinical features of pneumonia and exacerbations frequently overlap. Pneumonia has been reported
following the administration of inhaled corticosteroids*. Interactions: CYP3A4 inhibitors (eg. ketoconazole); beta-receptor blockers; beta-adrenergic stimulants; sympathomimetic amines (eg. ephedrine); MAOIs; tricyclics antidepressants; quinidine; disopyramide;
procainamide; phenothiazines; antihist