Flunisolide
Flunisolide Information

About Flunisolide

Flunisolide is a synthetic glucocorticoid (corticosteroid class of steroid hormones formed in the adrenal gland ). When inhaled, it decreases the bronchial reactivity and is used to treat moderate to severe asthma. It acts on nasal tissues and reduces swelling or inflammation. Flunisolide is used to treat itching, runny nose, nasal congestion and sneezing associated with allergic rhinitis.

Indications

Flunisolide is primarily indicated in conditions like Adrenal insufficiency, Allergic rhinitis, Angioedema, Haemolytic anaemia, Rhinitis, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Asthma, Beheet's syndrome, Crohn's disease, Lupus erythematosus, Vasculitis.

Contraindication

Flunisolide is contraindicated in conditions like Septic shock,Sickle cell disease.

Side Effects

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Flunisolide, which give rise to further complications include Hypersensitivity reactions.The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Flunisolide include Cardiovascular collapse, Adrenal suppression.The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Flunisolide are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Headache, Hypersensitivity reactions, Dryness, Irritation of nasal mucosa, Taste disturbanceX.

Warnings

Flunisolide should be used with caution in patients with active tuberculosis infection of respiratory tract or in untreated fungal, bacterial or systemic viral infections. Corticosteroids should only be used systemically with great caution in the presence of congestive heart failure (CHF), recent myocardial infraction (MI), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, glaucoma, hypothyroidism, liver failure, osteoporosis, peptic ulceration or renal impairment. Children may be at increase risk of some adverse effects, corticosteroid causes growth retardation and prolonged use is rarely justified. Passive immunization is recommended to non-immune patients who do come in contact with chickenpox or measles. Live vaccine should not be given to patients receiving high dose systemic corticosteroid therapy nor for atleast 3months afterwards, killed vaccine or toxoids may be given, although the response may be attenuated. During prolong treatment with corticosteroids, patients should be examined regularly, sodium intake may need to be reduced and calcium and potassium supplement may be necessary. Patient should carry cards given full details of their corticosteroid therapy. Avoid use during pregnancy. Use nasal steroids with caution until healing has occurred.

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Geriatrics.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.