Breztri Aerosphere Special Precautions

Not for acute use: This medicinal product is not indicated for the treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm, i.e. as a rescue therapy.
Paradoxical bronchospasm: Administration of formoterol/glycopyrronium/budesonide may produce paradoxical bronchospasm with an immediate wheezing and shortness of breath after dosing and may be life-threatening. Treatment with this medicinal product should be discontinued immediately if paradoxical bronchospasm occurs. The patient should be assessed, and alternative therapy instituted if necessary.
Deterioration of disease: It is recommended that treatment with this medicinal product should not be stopped abruptly. If patients find the treatment ineffective, they should continue treatment, but medical attention must be sought. Increasing use of reliever bronchodilators indicates a worsening of the underlying condition and warrants a reassessment of the therapy. Sudden and progressive deterioration in the symptoms of COPD is potentially life-threatening and the patient should undergo urgent medical assessment.
Cardiovascular effects: Cardiovascular effects, such as cardiac arrhythmias, e.g. atrial fibrillation and tachycardia, may be seen after the administration of muscarinic receptor antagonists and sympathomimetics, including glycopyrronium and formoterol. This medicinal product should be used with caution in patients with clinically significant uncontrolled and severe cardiovascular disease such as unstable ischemic heart disease, acute myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmias, and severe heart failure.
Caution should also be exercised when treating patients with known or suspected prolongation of the QTc interval (QTc >450 milliseconds for males, or >470 milliseconds for females), either congenital or induced by medicinal products.
Systemic corticosteroid effects: Systemic effects may occur with any inhaled corticosteroid, particularly at high doses prescribed for long periods. These effects are much less likely to occur with inhalation treatment than with oral corticosteroids. Possible systemic effects include Cushing's syndrome, Cushingoid features, adrenal suppression, decrease in bone mineral density, cataract and glaucoma. Potential effects on bone density should be considered particularly in patients on high doses for prolonged periods that have co-existing risk factors for osteoporosis.
Visual disturbances: Visual disturbance may be reported with systemic and topical corticosteroid use. If a patient presents with symptoms such as blurred vision or other visual disturbances, the patient should be considered for referral to an ophthalmologist for evaluation of possible causes which may include cataract, glaucoma or rare diseases such as central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) which have been reported after use of systemic and topical corticosteroids (see Adverse Reactions).
Transfer from oral therapy: Particular care is needed in patients transferring from oral steroids, since they may remain at risk of impaired adrenal function for a considerable time. Patients who have required high-dose corticosteroid therapy or prolonged treatment at the highest recommended dose of inhaled corticosteroids, may also be at risk. These patients may exhibit signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency when exposed to severe stress. Additional systemic corticosteroid cover should be considered during periods of stress or elective surgery.
Pneumonia in patients with COPD: An increase in the incidence of pneumonia, including pneumonia requiring hospitalisation, has been observed in patients with COPD receiving inhaled corticosteroids. There is some evidence of an increased risk of pneumonia with increasing steroid dose but this has not been demonstrated conclusively across all studies.
There is no conclusive clinical evidence for intra-class differences in the magnitude of the pneumonia risk among inhaled corticosteroid products.
Physicians should remain vigilant for the possible development of pneumonia in patients with COPD as the clinical features of such infections overlap with the symptoms of COPD exacerbations.
Risk factors for pneumonia in patients with COPD include current smoking, older age, low body mass index (BMI) and severe COPD.
Hypokalaemia: Potentially serious hypokalaemia may result from β₂-agonist therapy. This has the potential to produce adverse cardiovascular effects. Particular caution is advised in severe COPD as this effect may be potentiated by hypoxia. Hypokalaemia may also be potentiated by concomitant treatment with other medicinal products which can induce hypokalaemia, such as xanthine derivatives, steroids and diuretics (see Interactions).
Hyperglycaemia: Inhalation of high doses of β₂-adrenergic agonists may produce increases in plasma glucose. Therefore, blood glucose should be monitored during treatment following established guidelines in patients with diabetes.
Co-existing conditions: This medicinal product should be used with caution in patients with thyrotoxicosis.
Anticholinergic activity: Due to its anticholinergic activity, this medicinal product should be used with caution in patients with symptomatic prostatic hyperplasia, urinary retention or with narrow-angle glaucoma. Patients should be informed about the signs and symptoms of acute narrow-angle glaucoma and should be informed to stop using this medicinal product and to contact their doctor immediately should any of these signs or symptoms develop.
Co-administration of this medicinal product with other anticholinergic-containing medicinal products is not recommended (see Interactions).
Renal impairment: As glycopyrronium is predominantly renally excreted, patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance of <30 mL/min), including those with end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis, should only be treated with this medicinal product if the expected benefit outweighs the potential risk (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions).
Hepatic impairment: In patients with severe hepatic impairment, this medicinal product should be used only if the expected benefit outweighs the potential risk (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions). These patients should be monitored for potential adverse reactions.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: Breztri Aerosphere has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. However, dizziness is an uncommon side effect which should be taken into account when driving or using machines.