Pulmicort (Budesonide Inhalation) - Description

DESCRIPTION

Budesonide, the active component of PULMICORT TURBUHALER 200 mcg, is a corticosteroid designated chemically as (RS)-11β, 16α, 17,21-Tetrahydroxypregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione cyclic 16,17-acetal with butyraldehyde. Budesonide is provided as a mixture of two epimers (22R and 22S). The empirical formula of budesonide is C₂₅H₃₄O₆ and its molecular weight is 430.5. Its structural formula is:

Budesonide is a white to off-white, tasteless, odorless powder that is practically insoluble in water and in heptane, sparingly soluble in ethanol, and freely soluble in chloroform. Its partition coefficient between octanol and water at pH 7.4 is 1.6 x 10³.

PULMICORT TURBUHALER is an inhalation-driven multi-dose dry powder inhaler that contains only micronized budesonide. Each actuation of PULMICORT TURBUHALER provides 200 mcg budesonide per metered dose, which delivers approximately 160 mcg budesonide from the mouthpiece (based on in vitro testing at 60 L/min for 2 sec).

In vitro testing has shown that the dose delivery for PULMICORT TURBUHALER is substantially dependent on airflow through the device. Patient factors such as inspiratory flow rates will also affect the dose delivered to the lungs of patients in actual use (see Patient’s Instructions for Use). In adult patients with asthma (mean FEV₁ 2.9 L [0.8 - 5.1 L]) mean peak inspiratory flow (PIF) through PULMICORT TURBUHALER was 78 (40-111) L/min. Similar results (mean PIF 82 [43-125] L/min) were obtained in asthmatic children (6 to 15 years, mean FEV₁ 2.1 L [0.9 - 5.4 L]). Patients should be carefully instructed on the use of this drug product to assure optimal dose delivery.