Asmanex Twisthaler

mometasone (inhalation)

Asmanex Twisthaler

Indications

Action

Pharmacokinetics

Time/action profile (improvement in symptoms)

Contraindications/Precautions

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Central nervous system

• headache (most frequent)
• agitation
• depression
• dizziness
• fatigue
• insomnia
• restlessness

Ear, Eye, Nose, Throat

• dysphonia (most frequent)
• hoarseness (most frequent)
• cataracts
• nasal congestion
• pharyngitis
• sinusitis

Respiratory

• bronchospasm
• cough
• wheezing

Gastrointestinal

• diarrhea
• dry mouth
• dyspepsia
• esophageal candidiasis
• taste disturbances
• nausea

Endocrinologic

• adrenal suppression (↑ dose, long-term therapy only), ↓ growth (children)
• ↓ bone mineral density

Musculoskeletal

• back pain

Miscellaneous

• hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, laryngeal edema, urticaria, and bronchospasm (life-threatening)
• churg-strauss syndrome (life-threatening)

Interactions

Drug-Drug interaction

Route/Dosage

Availability

Nursing implications

Nursing assessment

• Monitor respiratory status and lung sounds. Assess pulmonary function tests periodically during and for several months after a transfer from systemic to inhalation corticosteroids.
• Assess patients changing from systemic corticosteroids to inhalation corticosteroids for signs of adrenal insufficiency (anorexia, nausea, weakness, fatigue, hypotension, hypoglycemia) during initial therapy and periods of stress. If these signs appear, notify health care professional immediately; condition may be life-threatening.
• Monitor for withdrawal symptoms (joint or muscular pain, lassitude, depression) during withdrawal from oral corticosteroids.
• Monitor growth rate in children receiving chronic therapy; use lowest possible dose.
• May cause decreased bone mineral density during prolonged therapy. Monitor patients with increased risk (prolonged immobilization, family history of osteoporosis, post-menopausal status, tobacco use, advanced age, poor nutrition, chronic use of drugs that can reduce bone mass [anticonvulsants, oral corticosteroids]) for fractures.
• Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions (rash, pruritis, swelling of face and neck, dyspnea) periodically during therapy.
• Lab Test Considerations: Periodic adrenal function tests may be ordered to assess degree of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression in chronic therapy. Children and patients using higher than recommended doses are at highest risk for HPA suppression.
  • May cause ↑ serum and urine glucose concentrations if significant absorption occurs.

Potential Nursing Diagnoses

Implementation

• After the desired clinical effect has been obtained, attempts should be made to decrease dose to lowest amount required to control symptoms. Gradually decrease dose every 2–4 wk as long as desired effect is maintained. If symptoms return, dose may briefly return to starting dose.
• Inhalation: Allow at least 1 min between inhalations.

Patient/Family Teaching

• Advise patient to take medication as directed. Take missed doses as soon as remembered unless almost time for next dose. Instruct patient to read the Patient Information and Instructions for Use before using and with each Rx refill, in case of new information. Advise patient not to discontinue medication without consulting health care professional; gradual decrease is required.
• Advise patients using inhalation corticosteroids and bronchodilator to use bronchodilator first and to allow 5 min to elapse before administering the corticosteroid, unless otherwise directed by health care professional.
• Advise patient that inhalation corticosteroids should not be used to treat an acute asthma attack but should be continued even if other inhalation agents are used.
• Patients using inhalation corticosteroids to control asthma may require systemic corticosteroids for acute attacks. Advise patient to use regular peak flow monitoring to determine respiratory status.
• Caution patient to avoid smoking, known allergens, and other respiratory irritants.
• Advise patient to notify health care professional if sore throat or sore mouth occurs.
• Advise patient to stop using medication and notify health care professional immediately if signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions occur.
• Advise female patients to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.
• Instruct patient whose systemic corticosteroids have been recently reduced or withdrawn to carry a warning card indicating the need for supplemental systemic corticosteroids in the event of stress or severe asthma attack unresponsive to bronchodilators.
• Asmanex Twisthaler: Advise patient to remove cap while device is in upright position. To administer dose, exhale fully, then place mouthpiece between lips and inhale deeply and forcefully. Remove device from mouth and hold breath for 10 sec before exhaling (do not exhale into mouthpiece). Wipe the mouthpiece dry, if necessary, and replace the cap on the device. Rinse mouth with water. Advise patient to discard twisthaler 45 days from opening or when dose counter reads "00", whichever comes first.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

• Management of the symptoms of chronic asthma.
• Improvement in symptoms of asthma.