HOW should this medicine be used?
Ensifentrine comes as a suspension (liquid) to inhale by mouth using a nebulizer (machine that turns medication into a mist that can be inhaled). It is usually inhaled twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. Inhale ensifentrine at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use ensifentrine exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not use ensifentrine during a sudden COPD attack. Your doctor will prescribe a short-acting (rescue) inhaler to use during COPD attacks.
Call your doctor or get emergency medical help if your breathing problems worsen, if you have to use your short-acting inhaler to treat attacks of COPD more often, or if your short-acting inhaler does not relieve your symptoms.
Ensifentrine controls COPD but does not cure it. Continue to use ensifentrine even if you feel well. Do not stop using ensifentrine without talking to your doctor. If you stop using ensifentrine, your symptoms may get worse.
Before you use ensifentrine for the first time, read the written instructions that come with it. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist to show you how to use the nebulizer and compressor. Practice using the nebulizer and compressor while he or she watches.
Ensifentrine oral inhalation should be used only in a standard jet nebulizer with a mouthpiece connected to an air compressor. Do not swallow or inject ensifentrine nebulizer suspension. Do not mix the solution with anything else.
To inhale the suspension using a jet nebulizer, follow these steps:
- Remove one ampule of inhalation suspension from the foil pouch.
- Shake the ampule well to mix the medication evenly. After shaking, ensifentrine inhalation suspension should be cloudy and yellow to pale yellow.
- Twist off the top of one ampule of ensifentrine suspension and squeeze all of the liquid into the nebulizer reservoir. Do not mix other medications with ensifentrine in the reservoir.
- Connect the mouthpiece to the nebulizer reservoir. Connect the nebulizer to the compressor.
- Sit in an upright, comfortable position. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth or put on the face mask.
- Turn on the compressor.
- Breathe in calmly, deeply, and evenly for about 5 to 7 minutes until mist stops forming in the nebulizer chamber.
- Dispose of the empty ampule and its top in a trash can that is out of the reach of children and pets.
- Clean your nebulizer regularly. Follow the manufacturer's directions carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about cleaning your nebulizer.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.