SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

1    NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Becolex Modulite 250 micrograms per actuation pressurised inhalation solution

2    QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE    COMPOSITION

Beclometasone dipropionate 250 micrograms per metered (ex-valve) dose For excipients, see 6.1

3    PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Pressurised inhalation solution

Becolex Modulite contains the new propellant HFA-134a and does not contain any chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The solution is clear and colourless.

4    CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1    Therapeutic indications

Becolex Modulite is indicated for the prophylactic management of mild, moderate, or severe asthma in adults or children:

Mild asthma: Patients requiring intermittent symptomatic bronchodilator asthma medication on a regular basis

Moderate asthma: Patients with unstable or worsening asthma despite prophylactic therapy or bronchodilator alone

Severe asthma: Patients with severe chronic asthma and those who are dependent on systemic corticosteroids for adequate control of symptoms

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Posology

Becolex Modulite is for inhalation use only. The Volumatic™ spacer device may be used by patients who have difficulty synchronising aerosol actuation with inspiration of breath.

The starting dose of inhaled beclometasone dipropionate should be adjusted to the severity of the disease. The dose may then be adjusted until control is achieved and then should be titrated to the lowest dose at which effective control of asthma is maintained.

Adults (including the elderly): Usually 1000 micrograms daily, which may be increased to 2000 micrograms daily. This may then be reduced when the patient’s asthma has stabilised. The total daily dosage should be administered as two to four divided doses.

The Volumatic™ spacer device must always be used when Becolex Modulite is administered to adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older taking total daily doses of 1000 micrograms or greater.

Children: Becolex Modulite 250 is not recommended for children.

Patients with hepatic or renal impairment: No dosage adjustment is needed in patients with hepatic or renal impairment.

Method of Administration

The aerosol spray is inhaled through the mouth into the lungs. The correct administration is essential for successful therapy. The patient must be instructed on how to use Becolex Modulite correctly and advised to read and follow the instructions printed on the Patient Information Leaflet carefully.

Instructions for Use

If the inhaler is new or has not been used for three days or more, one puff should be released into the air. It is not necessary to shake the inhaler before use because this is a solution aerosol.

Instruct the patient to remove the mouthpiece cover and check that it is clean and free from foreign objects. The patient should then be instructed to breathe out before placing the inhaler into their mouth. They should then close their lips around the mouthpiece and breathe in steadily and deeply. They must not bite the mouthpiece. After starting to breathe in through the mouth, the top of the inhaler should be pressed down. Whilst the patient is still breathing in, the patient should then remove the inhaler from their mouth and hold their breath for about 5 to 10 seconds, or as long as is comfortable, and then breathe out slowly. The patient must not breathe out into the inhaler. If another dose is required the patient should be advised to wait 30 seconds before repeating the procedure just described. Finally, patients should breathe out slowly and replace the mouthpiece cover.

The patient should be told not to rush the procedure described. It is important that the patient breathes in as slowly as possible prior to actuation. Inform the patient that if a mist appears on inhalation, the procedure should be repeated.

It may be helpful to advise children and patients with weak hands to hold the inhaler with two hands, by placing both forefingers on top of the inhaler and both thumbs at the bottom of the device.

Patients who find it difficult to co-ordinate actuation with inspiration of breath should be told to use a Volumatic™ spacer device to ensure proper administration of the product.

Young children may find it difficult to use the inhaler properly and will require help. Using the inhaler with the Volumatic™ spacer device with a face mask may help in children under 5 years.

Advise the patient to thoroughly rinse the mouth or gargle with water or brush the teeth immediately after using the inhaler.

The patient should be told of the importance of cleaning the inhaler at least weekly to prevent any blockage and to carefully follow the instructions on cleaning the inhaler printed on the Patient Information Leaflet. The inhaler must not be washed or put in water.

The patient should be told also to refer to the Patient Information Leaflet accompanying the Volumatic™ spacer device for the correct instructions on its use and cleaning.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to any of the components.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Patients should be properly instructed on the use of the inhaler to ensure that the drug reaches the target areas within the lungs. Patients should also be informed that Becolex Modulite should be used on a regular basis, even when they are asymptomatic.

Becolex Modulite does not provide relief of acute asthma symptoms, which require a short-acting inhaled bronchodilator. Patients should have relief medication available.

Severe asthma requires regular medical assessment, including lung-function testing, as there is a risk of severe attacks and even death. Patients should be instructed to seek medical attention if short-acting relief bronchodilator treatment becomes less effective, or more inhalations than usual are required as this may indicate deterioration of asthma control. If this occurs, patients should be assessed and the need for increased anti-inflammatory therapy considered (e.g. higher doses of inhaled corticosteroid or a course of oral corticosteroid).

Severe exacerbations of asthma must be treated in the usual way, i.e. by increasing the dose of inhaled beclometasone dipropionate, giving a systemic steroid if necessary, and/or an appropriate antibiotic if there is an infection, together with ^-agonist therapy.

Treatment with Becolex Modulite should not be stopped abruptly.

Systemic effects of inhaled corticosteroids may occur, particularly when prescribed at high doses for prolonged periods. These effects are much less likely to occur than with oral corticosteroids. Possible systemic effects include adrenal suppression, growth retardation in children and adolescents, decrease in bone mineral density, cataract, glaucoma and more rarely, a range of psychological or behavioural effects including psychomotor hyperactivity, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression or aggression (particularly in children). It is important that the dose of inhaled corticosteroid is titrated to the lowest dose at which effective control of asthma is maintained.

It is recommended that the height of children receiving prolonged treatment with inhaled corticosteroids is regularly monitored. If growth is slowed, therapy should be reviewed with the aim of reducing the dose of inhaled corticosteroids, if possible, to the lowest dose at which effective control of asthma is maintained. In addition, consideration should also be given to referring the patient to a paediatric respiratory specialist.

Prolonged treatment with high doses of inhaled corticosteroids may result in clinically significant adrenal suppression.

Additional systemic corticosteroid cover should be considered during periods of stress or elective surgery.

The transfer to Becolex Modulite of patients who have been treated with systemic steroids for long periods of time or at high doses, needs special care, since recovery from possible adrenocortical suppression may take considerable time. Reduction of the dose of systemic steroid can be commenced approximately one week after initiating treatment with Becolex Modulite. The size of the reduction should correspond to the maintenance dose of systemic steroid. For patients receiving maintenance doses of 10mg daily or less of prednisolone (or equivalent) reductions in dose of not more than 1mg are suitable. For higher maintenance doses, larger reductions in dose may be appropriate. These oral dosage reductions should be introduced at not less than weekly intervals.

Adrenocortical function should be monitored regularly as the dose of systemic steroid is gradually reduced.

Some patients feel unwell during withdrawal of systemic steroids despite maintenance or even improvement of respiratory function. They should be encouraged to persevere with inhaled beclometasone dipropionate and to continue withdrawal of systemic steroid, unless there are objective signs of adrenal insufficiency.

Patients weaned off oral steroids whose adrenocortical function is impaired should carry a steroid warning card indicating that they may need supplementary systemic steroids during periods of stress, e.g. worsening asthma attacks, chest infections, major intercurrent illness, surgery, trauma, etc.

Replacement of systemic steroid treatment with inhaled therapy sometimes unmasks allergies such as allergic rhinitis or eczema previously controlled by the systemic drug. These allergies should be symptomatically treated with antihistamine and/or topical preparations, including topical steroids.

As with all inhaled corticosteroids, special care is necessary in patients with active or quiescent pulmonary tuberculosis.

Patients should be advised that this product contains small amounts of ethanol (approximately 9mg per actuation) and glycerol. At the normal doses, the amounts of ethanol and glycerol are negligible and do not pose a risk to patients (see section 4.5, Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction).

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Becolex Modulite contains a small amount of ethanol. There is a theoretical potential for interaction in particularly sensitive patients taking disulfiram or metronidazole.

4.6 Pregnancy and lactation

There is no experience of the use of this product in pregnancy and lactation in humans. It should not be used in pregnancy or lactation unless the expected benefits to the mother are thought to outweigh any potential risks to the fetus or neonate.

There is inadequate evidence of safety of beclometasone dipropionate in human pregnancy. Administration of corticosteroids to pregnant animals can cause abnormalities of fetal development including cleft palate and intrauterine growth retardation. There may therefore, be a risk of such effects in the human fetus. It should be noted, however, that the fetal changes in animals occur after relatively high systemic exposure. Beclometasone dipropionate is delivered directly to the lungs by the inhaled route and so avoids the high level of exposure that occurs when corticosteroids are given by systemic routes.

No specific studies examining the transfer of beclometasone dipropionate into the milk of lactating animals have been performed. It is reasonable to assume that beclometasone dipropionate is secreted in milk, but at the dosages used for direct inhalation there is low potential for significant levels in breast milk.

There is no experience with or evidence of safety of propellant HFA-134a in human pregnancy or lactation. However, studies of the effect of HFA-134a on reproductive function and embryofetal development in animals have revealed no clinically relevant adverse effects.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

None reported

4.8 UNDESIRABLE EFFECTS

Adverse events are listed below by system class and frequency. Frequencies are defined as: very common (>1/10), common (>1/100 and <1/10), uncommon (>1/1,000 and <1/100), rare (>1/10,000 and <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000), unknown (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data).

System organ Class	Adverse Reaction	Frequency
Infections and Infestations	Oral candidiasis (of the mouth and throat)	Very Common
Immune System Disorders	Hypersensitivity reaction with the following manifestations:

	Rash, urticaria, pruritus, erythema	Uncommon
	Oedema of the eyes, face, lips and throat	Very Rare
Endocrine Disorders	Adrenal suppression*, growth retardation* (in children and adolescents), bone density decreased*	Very Rare
Psychiatric Disorders (see section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use)	Psychomotor hyperactivity, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, aggression, behavioural disorders (predominantly in children)	Unknown
Nervous System Disorders	Headache	Unknown
Eye Disorders	Cataract*, glaucoma*	Very Rare
Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders	Hoarseness, throat irritation	Common
	Paradoxial bronchospasm, wheezing, dyspnoea, cough	Very Rare
Gastrointestinal Disorders	Nausea	Unknown

*Systemic reactions are a possible response to inhaled corticosteroids, especially when a high dose is prescribed for a prolonged time (see section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use).

As with other inhalation therapy, paradoxical bronchospasm may occur with an immediate increase in wheezing, shortness of breath and cough after dosing.

This should be treated immediately with a fast-acting inhaled bronchodilator. Clenil Modulite should be discontinued immediately, the patient assessed and, if necessary, alternative therapy instituted.

Candidiasis of the mouth and throat occurs in some patients, the incidence increasing with doses greater than 400 micrograms beclometasone dipropionate per day. Patients with high blood levels of Candida precipitins, indicating a previous infection, are most likely to develop this complication. Patients may find it helpful to rinse their mouth thoroughly with water after inhalation. Symptomatic oral candidiasis can be treated with topical antifungal therapy while continuing with Clenil Modulite.

Hoarseness or throat irritation may occur in some patients. These patients should be advised to rinse the mouth out with water immediately after inhalation. Use of the Volumatic™ spacer device may be considered.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important.It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

4.9 Overdose

Acute: Inhalation of doses in excess of those recommended may lead to temporary suppression of adrenal function. This does not require emergency action. In these patients treatment should be continued at a dose sufficient to control asthma; adrenal function recovers in a few days and can be verified by measuring plasma cortisol.

Chronic: Use of inhaled beclometasone dipropionate in daily doses in excess of 1,500 micrograms over prolonged periods may lead to adrenal suppression. Monitoring of adrenal reserve may be indicated. Treatment should be continued at a dose sufficient to control asthma.

5    PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1    Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic Group: Glucocorticoid ATC Code: R03B A01

Beclometasone dipropionate is a pro-drug with weak glucocorticoid receptor binding affinity. It is extensively hydrolysed via esterase enzymes to the active metabolite beclometasone-17-monopropionate (B-17-MP), which has potent topical anti-inflammatory activity.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption when administered via inhalation by a MDI

Systemic absorption of unchanged beclometasone dipropionate (BDP) occurs through the lungs. There is negligible oral absorption of the swallowed dose of unchanged BDP. Prior to absorption there is extensive conversion of BDP to its active metabolite B-17-MP. The systemic absorption of B-17-MP arises from both lung deposition (36%) and oral absorption of the swallowed dose (26%). The absolute bioavailability following inhalation is approximately 2% and 62% of the nominal dose for unchanged BDP and B-17-MP, respectively. BDP is absorbed rapidly with peak plasma concentrations observed (tmax) at 0.3 hour. B-17-MP appears more slowly with a t_max of 1 hour. There is an approximately linear increase in systemic exposure with increasing inhaled dose. When administered orally the bioavailability of BDP is negligible but pre-systemic conversion to B-17-MP results in 41% of the dose being absorbed as B-17-MP.

Distribution

The tissue distribution at steady-state for BDP is moderate (20L) but more extensive for B-17-MP (424L). Plasma protein binding is moderately high (87%).

Biotransformation

BDP is cleared very rapidly from the systemic circulation, by metabolism mediated via esterase enzymes that are found in most tissues. The main product of metabolism is the active metabolite (B-17-MP). Minor inactive metabolites, beclometasone-21-monopropionate(B-21-MP) and beclometasone (BOH), are also formed but these contribute little to the systemic exposure.

Elimination

The elimination of BDP and B-17-MP are characterised by high plasma clearance (150L/hour and 120L/hour) with corresponding terminal elimination half-lives of 0.5 hour and 2.7 hour. Following oral administration of tritiated BDP, approximately 60% of the dose was excreted in the faeces within 96 hours mainly as free and conjugated polar metabolites. Approximately 12% of the dose was excreted as free and conjugated polar metabolites in the urine. The renal clearance of BDP and its metabolites is negligible.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Preclinical safety studies indicate that beclometasone dipropionate shows negligible systemic toxicity when administered by inhalation.

The non-CFC propellant HFA-134a has been shown to have no toxic effect at very high vapour concentrations, far in excess of those likely to be experienced by patients, in a wide range of animal species exposed daily for periods of up to two years.

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1    List of excipients

HFA-134a

Ethanol

Glycerol

6.2    Incompatibilities

Not applicable

Shelf life

3 years

Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 30°C.

As with most inhaled medicines in aerosol canisters, the therapeutic effect may decrease when the canister is cold.

Protect from frost and direct sunlight.

The canister contains a pressurised liquid. Do not expose to temperatures higher than 50°C. Do not pierce the canister.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Becolex Modulite 250 is supplied in an aluminium canister fitted with a metering valve, actuator and dust cap.

Each inhaler delivers 200 actuations.

6.6    Special precautions for disposal

Not applicable

7.    Marketing Authorisation Holder

Chiesi Limited 333 Styal Road Manchester M22 5LG UK

8    MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 08829/0170

9    DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

29/06/2006 /    15/10/2012

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

19/08/2015