Loftair

Loftair is an anticholinergic. Loftair is a bronchodilator. These medications work by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing.

Loftair and Loftair is a combination medicine used to prevent airflow obstruction or bronchospasm in people with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

This medicine is not for use in treating asthma.

Loftair may increase the risk of death in people with asthma, but the risk in people with COPD is not known. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.

Loftair and Loftair may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to Loftair or Loftair.

Loftair and Loftair is not a rescue medicine. It will not work fast enough to treat a bronchospasm attack.

Loftair may increase the risk of death in people with asthma, but the risk in people with COPD is not known. Loftair and Loftair is not for use in treating asthma.

Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Maintenance

UTIBRON NEOHALER (R):

-1 inhalation (Loftair 15.6 mcg-Loftair 27.5 mcg) orally TWICE a day (in the morning and in the evening)

Comments:

-For each inhalation, administer the content of 1 capsule using the NEOHALER device.

-More frequent administration or a greater number of inhalations (more than 1 capsule twice a day) is not recommended. Do not use 2 capsules at one time.

ULTIBRO BREEZHALER (R):

-1 inhalation (Loftair 50 mcg-Loftair 110 mcg) orally ONCE a day

Comment:

-Inhale orally the content of one capsule using the BREEZHALER inhaler.

Use: Long term maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with COPD, including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema

Renal Dose Adjustments

Mild to moderate renal dysfunction: No adjustment recommended.

Severe renal dysfunction: Benefit should outweigh the potential risk.

End-stage renal disease: Benefit should outweigh the potential risk.

Liver Dose Adjustments

Mild to moderate liver dysfunction: No adjustment recommended.

Severe liver dysfunction: No studies have been performed.

Precautions

US BOXED WARNING(S):

-Long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists (LABAs) increase the risk of asthma-related death. Data from a large placebo-controlled U.S. study that compared the safety of another LABA (salmeterol) or placebo added to usual asthma therapy showed an increase in asthma-related deaths in patients receiving salmeterol. This finding with salmeterol is considered a class effect of all LABAs, including Loftair, one of the active ingredients in this drug.

-The safety and efficacy of this drug in patients with asthma have not been established. This drug is not indicated for the treatment of asthma.

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Hemodialysis: Benefit should outweigh the potential risk.

Peritoneal dialysis: Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

-Administer this drug at the same time of the day.

-The recommended daily dose should not be exceeded.

-This drug is for oral inhalation only.

-To ensure proper use of the inhalation device, see Instructions for its use.

Storage requirements:

-Capsules should be stored in the blister, and only removed immediately before use with the inhaler device.

Limitations of use:

-This drug is not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm or for the treatment of asthma.

Patient advice:

-Patients should read the medication guide and instructions for the use of this drug.

-A rescue inhaler should be provided to patients to treat acute symptoms. Patients should be instructed on how to use the rescue inhaler.

-Notify the physician immediately if experiencing any of the following: Worsening of symptoms; decreasing effectiveness of inhaled, short-acting beta2-agonists; need for more inhalations than usual of the inhaled, short-acting beta2-agonists; significant decrease in lung function as outlined by the physician.

-Therapy with this drug should not be stopped without physician/provider guidance since symptoms may recur after discontinuation.

-Discontinue previous regular use of short acting beta2-agonist and use them only for the symptomatic relief of acute symptoms.

-Consult a provider immediately if symptoms of eye pain or discomfort, blurred vision, visual halos or colored images in association with red eyes from conjunctival congestion and corneal edema develop.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Loftair and Loftair inhalation powder (Utibron Neohaler) is packaged in capsules that come with a special inhaler device. Each time you use the medicine, load a capsule into the device and click the mouthpiece closed. Push the buttons on the side of the device to pierce the capsule and release the medicine into the inhalation chamber. You may need 2 inhalations to get the full dose from 1 capsule.

Do not swallow the Utibron capsule or place it in your mouth. The capsule is for use only with the Neohaler inhalation device.

The usual dose of this medicine is 1 capsule twice daily. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Use this medicine at the same time each day, even if you feel well.

Loftair and Loftair is not a rescue medicine. It will not work fast enough to treat a bronchospasm attack. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medicine for a sudden attack. Tell your doctor if any of your medicines seem to stop working as well in controlling your COPD.

Seek medical attention if your breathing problems do not improve, or if your symptoms get worse quickly.

Use Loftair and Loftair regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. Always use the new Neohaler device that comes with this medicine.

You should not stop using Loftair and Loftair unless your doctor tells you to. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the capsules in the blister pack until it is time for your dose. Remove only one capsule each time you use the medicine. Do not push a capsule through the foil or you may damage the capsule.

See also:
What are the possible side effects of Loftair?

Applies to Loftair / Loftair: inhalation capsule

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using this medicine;

• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or redness, or seeing halos around lights;

• painful or difficult urination;

• low potassium--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, extreme thirst, increased urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling;

• high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss; or

• worsening of your condition.

Common side effects may include:

• stuffy nose, sore throat; or

• increased blood pressure--headache, pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleeds.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.