Symbicort 160 mcg Turbuhaler 120Doses

Description

Symbicort Turbuhaler is an inhaler that is used to treat asthma in adults and adolescents aged 12 – 17 years. It is also used to treat the symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in adults aged 18 years and older. It contains two different medicines: budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate. Budesonide belongs to a group of medicines called ‘corticosteroids’. It works by reducing and preventing swelling and inflammation in your lungs. Formoterol fumarate dihydrate belongs to a group of medicines called ‘long-acting beta2 adrenoceptor agonists’ or ‘bronchodilators’. It works by relaxing the muscles in your airways. This helps you to breathe more easily. How to use a) Use of budesonide/formoterol turbohaler and a separate inhaler : Use budesonide/formoterol turbohaler every day. This helps prevent asthma symptoms. Adults (18 years and over) : The usual dose is one inhalation once or twice a day. Your doctor may increase this to 4 inhalations twice a day. If your symptoms are well controlled, your doctor may ask you to take the medication once a day. Adolescents (12 to 17 years) : The usual dose is one inhalation once or twice a day. If your symptoms are well controlled, your doctor may ask you to take the medication once a day. Children (6 to 11 years) : The usual dose is one inhalation twice a day. Budesonide/Formoterol Turbohaler is not recommended for use in children under 6 years of age. Use your reliever inhaler to treat asthma symptoms when they occur. Always keep your reliever inhaler with you to use when needed. Do not use budesonide/formoterol turbohaler to treat asthma symptoms—use your reliever inhaler. b) Use of budesonide/formoterol turbohaler as the sole inhaler for asthma : Only use budesonide/formoterol turbohaler this way if your doctor tells you to and if you are 12 years or older. Use budesonide/formoterol turbohaler every day. This helps prevent asthma symptoms from occurring. You can take: 1 inhalation in the morning and 1 inhalation in the evening or 2 inhalations in the morning or 2 inhalations in the evening. Warnings and precautions Do not use Symbicort Turbuhaler: If you are allergic to budesonide, formoterol, or the other ingredient of this medicine, which is lactose (which contains small amounts of milk protein). Warnings and precautions Talk to your healthcare practitioner before using Symbicort Turbuhaler if: You are diabetic. You have a lung infection. You have high blood pressure or you have ever had a heart problem (including an uneven heartbeat, a very fast pulse, narrowing of the arteries or heart failure). You have problems with your thyroid or adrenal glands. You have low levels of potassium in your blood. You have severe liver problems. Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances. Side Effects Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) Palpitations (awareness of your heart beating), trembling or shaking. If these effects occur, they are usually mild and usually disappear as you continue to use Symbicort Turbuhaler. Thrush (a fungal infection) in the mouth. This is less likely if you rinse your mouth out with water after using your Symbicort Turbuhaler. Mild sore throat, coughing and a hoarse voice. Headache. Pneumonia (infection of the lung) in COPD patients. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following while taking Symbicort Turbuhaler, they could be symptoms of a lung infection: Fever or chills. Increased mucus production, change in mucus colour. Increased cough or increased breathing difficulties. Storage Information This medicine does not require any special storage conditions. Drug Interactions Tell your healthcare practitioner if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines. In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using any of the following medicines: Beta-blocker medicines (such as atenolol or propranolol for high blood pressure), including eyedrops (such as timolol for glaucoma). Medicines for a fast or uneven heart beat (such as quinidine). Medicines like digoxin, often used to treat heart failure. Diuretics, also known as ‘water tablets’ (such as furosemide). These are used to treat high blood pressure. Steroid medicines that you take by mouth (such as prednisolone). Xanthine medicines (such as theophylline or aminophylline). These are often used to treat asthma. Other bronchodilators (such as salbutamol). Tricyclic anti-depressants (such as amitriptyline) and the anti-depressant nefazodone. Phenothiazine medicines (such as chlorpromazine and prochlorperazine). Medicines called ‘HIV-protease inhibitors’ (such as ritonavir) to treat HIV infection. Medicines to treat infections (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, clarithromycin and telithromycin). Medicines for Parkinson’s disease (such as leva-dopa). Medicines for thyroid problems (such as levo‑thyroxine). Ingredients The active substances are budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate The other ingredient is lactose monohydrate (which contains milk proteins). Specifications Symbicort Turbuhaler is an inhaler containing your medicine. The inhalation powder is white in colour.