AEROCORT

Dosage : Inhaler
Contains : Levosalbutamol 50 mcg + Beclometasone 50 mcg
Category : Metered-dose inhaler
Uses : Asthma, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Price :

Aerocort inhaler is a combination preparation containing Levosalbutamol Sulphate and Beclometasone dipropionate used in the management of asthma. It is available as Aerocort inhaler, Aerocort Rotacaps and Aerocort Forte Rotacaps. The onset of action is as fast as 0.8 to 2 minutes.

 

The two combination drugs have different mode of action.

 

Levosalbutamol belongs to class of drugs called short-acting beta agonists (SABAs). It relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and prevents contraction of hyperresponsive airways. It also inhibits release of inflammatory chemicals thereby reducing inflammation in the airways. Thus Levosalbutamol exhibits bronchodilator, bronchoprotective and anti edematous properties.

 

Beclometasone a corticosteroid, is the anti-inflammatory component which reduces the inflammation in the lungs leading to better breathing.

Together they help prevent symptoms of coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath and are meant to be used as a maintenance therapy in asthma.

 

Aerocort is a product from Cipla limited which is an Indian multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company. It is primarily into development of medicines to treat respiratory, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, diabetes, weight control, depression and other medical conditions. The company’s goal is ensuring that no patient shall be denied access to high quality and affordable medicines and support with the vision to make India self-sufficient in healthcare.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

 

COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Symptoms include breathing difficulty, cough, mucus (sputum) production and wheezing. It’s typically caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke. People with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and a variety of other conditions.

 

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common conditions that contribute to COPD. These two conditions usually occur together and can vary in severity among individuals with COPD.

 

Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. It’s characterized by daily cough and mucus (sputum) production.

 

Emphysema is a condition in which the alveoli at the end of the smallest air passages (bronchioles) of the lungs are destroyed as a result of damaging exposure to cigarette smoke and other irritating gases and particulate matter.

 

Asthma

 

Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

 

For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.

Dosage

As directed by your Physician

Administration

As directed by your Physician

Adverse Reactions/ Side Effects

Tremor, nervousness, nausea and vomiting, tachycardia, palpitations, chest pain, shakiness, dizziness, headache, insomnia, inhalation site sensation, hyperactivity, HTN, hypotension, increased sweating, allergic reactions, DM, muscle cramps, flu-like syndrome, conjunctivitis, UTI, hypokalaemia,. Rarely, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

 

Potentially Fatal: Paradoxical bronchospasm.

Warnings and Precautions

Hyperthyroidism, myocardial insufficiency, arrhythmias, susceptibility to QT-interval prolongation, HTN, DM, glaucoma, hypokalaemia, seizure disorder. Renal impairment. Elderly. Pregnancy and lactation. Monitoring Parameters Monitor BP, heart rate, electrolyte and fluid balance; glucose, lactate and K levels.

Contraindications

IV (in the treatment of premature labour): Pre-existing or risk factors for ischaemic heart disease, gestational age <22 wk, conditions in which prolongation of pregnancy is hazardous (e.g. severe toxaemia, intrauterine infection, vaginal bleeding resulting from placenta praevia, eclampsia or severe preeclampsia, placental abruption, cord compression; use in threatened abortion.

Drug Interactions

Increased risk of hypokalaemia w/ K depleting agents (e.g. corticosteroid, diuretics, xanthines, digoxin). Increased uterine inertia w/ halogenated anaesth (IV). Increased risk of pulmonary oedema w/ corticosteroids. May antagonise the effect of anti-diabetics. Effects may be altered by guanethidine, reserpine, methyldopa, TCAs and MAOIs. Increased risk of CV effects w/ other sympathomimetic agents. Antagonistic effect w/ β-blockers.

Overdosage

Symptoms: Tachycardia, CNS stimulation, tremor, hypokalaemia, hyperglycaemia, lactic acidosis, nausea, vomiting. Management: Symptomatic and supportive treatment. May administer activated charcoal. β-blocking agents (e.g. metoprolol) may be given but w/ extreme caution in asthmatic patients.

Storage

Inhalation: Store between 15-30°C. Protect from light. Intravenous: Store between 15-30°C. Protect from light. Oral: Store between 15-30°C. Protect from light. Parenteral: Store between 15-30°C. Protect from light.

Mechanism of Action

Salbutamol activates adenyl cyclase, the enzyme that stimulates the production of cyclic adenosine-3′, 5′-monophosphate (cAMP). Increased cAMP leads to activation of protein kinase A, which inhibits phosphorylation of myosin and lowers intracellular ionic Ca concentrations, resulting in smooth muscle relaxation.

References

http://medind.nic.in/icb/t07/i2/icbt07i2p161.pdf

https://www.mims.com/india/drug/info/aerocort

https://www.ciplamed.com/content/aerocort-inhaler

If you are a healthcare practitioner and want additional material on the brand, disease, or molecule we have a few articles that can be hand-delivered by the company representative to you directly.

MEDIA

NEED FURTHER INFO?