Trudell Medical International
August 18, 2011
Be prepared for the September Spike
September is not only peak hurricane season but is also peak time for asthma exacerbations. Every year during the third week of September as children return to school, hospitalization rates for people with asthma skyrocket. The phenomenon occurs primarily in the Northern hemisphere and is commonly referred to as the “September Spike”.
Researchers believe that the cold virus is the main reason for the September Spike.1 However, other potential causes include: stress associated with returning to school, allergic triggers, pollution, and not taking preventer medication as prescribed in the summer. Recent research shows that the use of inhaled corticosteroids drops by 60% in the summer.2
Make sure your patients are prepared for the September Spike. Ensure they have refills of their inhaler medications and a new prescription for a chamber. It is recommended that Chambers be replaced every 12 months.
When prescribing a chamber, ensure you are prescribing the Chamber recommended for use with the specific Metered Dose Inhalers. Chambers are not interchangeable – patients should use the chamber named in the Summary of Product Characteristics (where specified by name).3 AeroChamber* Brand of Chambers is the most recommended by leading Metered Dose Inhaler Companies.4
Finally, take the opportunity to check your patient’s inhalation technique. Use the proprietary Flow-Vu* Indicator on the AeroChamber Plus* Flow-Vu* Chamber to assist with inhaler technique. The Flow-Vu* Indicator is a valuable feedback tool that moves with respiration and helps provide assurance of correct use and delivered dose.
(1) Johnston NW, Johnston Sl, Norman GR, Dai J, Sears MR. The September epidemic of asthma hospitalization: School children as disease vectors. Journal of Clinical Immunology, March 2006; 117 (3):557-562. (2) Van Dole KB et al. Seasonal patterns in health care use and pharmaceutical claims for asthma prescriptions for preschool – and school-aged children. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, March 2009; Vol 102, #3, 198-204. (3) Drug Safety Update – Inhaled products that contain corticosteroids, July 2008. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). (4) Aeropharm GmbH (Sabumalin†), Boehringer Ingelheim (Atrovent†), Chiesi Ltd (Fostair†), GlaxoSmithKline (Flovent†, Seretide†, Ventolin†), Ivax Pharmaceuticals (Airomir†, Qvar†), Merck Canada Inc (Zenhale†), Nycomed (Alvesco†) in select countries
Researchers believe that the cold virus is the main reason for the September Spike.1 However, other potential causes include: stress associated with returning to school, allergic triggers, pollution, and not taking preventer medication as prescribed in the summer. Recent research shows that the use of inhaled corticosteroids drops by 60% in the summer.2
Make sure your patients are prepared for the September Spike. Ensure they have refills of their inhaler medications and a new prescription for a chamber. It is recommended that Chambers be replaced every 12 months.
When prescribing a chamber, ensure you are prescribing the Chamber recommended for use with the specific Metered Dose Inhalers. Chambers are not interchangeable – patients should use the chamber named in the Summary of Product Characteristics (where specified by name).3 AeroChamber* Brand of Chambers is the most recommended by leading Metered Dose Inhaler Companies.4
Finally, take the opportunity to check your patient’s inhalation technique. Use the proprietary Flow-Vu* Indicator on the AeroChamber Plus* Flow-Vu* Chamber to assist with inhaler technique. The Flow-Vu* Indicator is a valuable feedback tool that moves with respiration and helps provide assurance of correct use and delivered dose.
(1) Johnston NW, Johnston Sl, Norman GR, Dai J, Sears MR. The September epidemic of asthma hospitalization: School children as disease vectors. Journal of Clinical Immunology, March 2006; 117 (3):557-562. (2) Van Dole KB et al. Seasonal patterns in health care use and pharmaceutical claims for asthma prescriptions for preschool – and school-aged children. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, March 2009; Vol 102, #3, 198-204. (3) Drug Safety Update – Inhaled products that contain corticosteroids, July 2008. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). (4) Aeropharm GmbH (Sabumalin†), Boehringer Ingelheim (Atrovent†), Chiesi Ltd (Fostair†), GlaxoSmithKline (Flovent†, Seretide†, Ventolin†), Ivax Pharmaceuticals (Airomir†, Qvar†), Merck Canada Inc (Zenhale†), Nycomed (Alvesco†) in select countries