FREQUENCY AND DURATION OF USE
FLUTTER
®
therapy is complete when no further mucus can be expectorated following several
diligent sequences. Frequency of use and duration of each session should be determined by
the healthcare professional. FLUTTER
®
therapy is a more "goal-based" than "time-based"
therapy, and experience has shown that successful clearing of the airways for most patients will
occur in approximately 5 to 15 minutes. Generally, morning and late afternoon or evening
sessions are recommended. Patients can avoid becoming overly tired by adding a session
instead of extending any one session to a point of discomfort.
Remember, the goal of airway clearance therapy is to comfortably and efficiently remove as
much mucus as possible. The FLUTTER
®
will assist your patients in achieving this goal.
CLEANING THE FLUTTER
®
The FLUTTER
®
is recommended for single patient use only. Instruct patients to clean the
FLUTTER
®
after each session to remove moisture and/or mucus (Figure 8). Disassemble and
rinse all components with tap water; wipe with a clean towel, reassemble, and store in a clean,
dry location. Every two days, patients should disassemble and clean their FLUTTER
®
in a
solution of mild soap or detergent. Chlorine bleach or other chlorine-containing products (e.g.,
dishwashing detergent) should not be used. Rinse, dry, reassemble, and store.
NOTE TO PHYSICIANS AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
The FLUTTER
®
provides positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy for patients who have
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) such as Asthma, Bronchitis, Cystic Fibrosis,
Atelectasis, or other conditions producing retained secretions. PEP therapy, combined with
forced expiratory technique (FET), or "huff" coughing, may be used for airway clearance,
bronchial hygiene, or as an alternative to conventional chest physiotherapy (CPT) and pursed
lip breathing. PEP therapy will help prevent accumulation of secretions; improve mobilization of
secretions; promote effective breathing patterns and improve gas exchange and distribution of
ventilation; improve central and peripheral airway function; prevent or reverse Atelectasis; and
improve bronchodilation when used in combination with respiratory drug delivery via nebulizer
or MDI spacer devices.
PRECAUTIONS
Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. The patient should be
instructed in FLUTTER
®
use by a licensed practitioner. The steel ball within the FLUTTER
®
, if
separated from the FLUTTER
®
, could pose a choking hazard. The FLUTTER
®
must be handled
carefully; it may break if dropped on a hard surface.
Reference:
1. Konstan MW, Stern RC, Doershuk CF. Efficacy of the FLUTTER
®
device for airway mucus clearance in patients with cystic fibrosis.
J Pediatrics May 1994; 124:689-693.
Manufactured for:
Aptalis Pharma US,Inc.
100 Somerset Corporate Boulevard
Bridgewater, NJ 08807 USA
www.aptalispharma.com
FLUTTER
®
is a registered trademark of VarioRaw Percutive S.àr.l., a subsidiary company of Aptalis Pharma US, Inc. Aptalis Pharma™ and the Aptalis
Pharma™ logo are trademarks of Aptalis Pharma Inc., an affiliated company of Aptalis Pharma US, Inc.
©2013 Aptalis Pharma US, Inc.
