PULMICORT® TURBUHALER®
Budesonide, 100, 200 or 400 micrograms per dose.
What Pulmicort Turbuhaler is used for
Pulmicort Turbuhaler
is intended to be inhaled into the lungs for the treatment of asthma. This is when the lining of your lungs becomes inflamed (red and swollen), making it difficult for you to breathe. This may be due to an allergy to house dust mites, smoke, air pollution or other things that irritate your lungs.
It is a "preventer" and needs to be taken regularly as prescribed by your doctor.
Pulmicort Turbuhaler
will not relieve an acute asthma attack that has already started.
Your doctor may prescribe this medicine for another use. Ask your doctor if you want more information.
How Pulmicort Turbuhaler works
Pulmicort Turbuhaler
belongs to the family of corticosteroids, which are used to reduce inflammation.
Your asthma is caused by an inflammation in the airways. Pulmicort Turbuhaler reduces and prevents this inflammation. When you breathe in through the mouthpiece of the inhaler, your breath carries the medicine to your lungs
Pulmicort Turbuhaler
acts directly on the surface of the lungs to help improve your condition and also helps stop asthma attacks occurring.
Pulmicort Turbuhaler
is not addictive.
Before you use Pulmicort Turbuhaler
When you must not use it
Do not use after the use by (expiry) date printed on the pack.
It may have no effect at all, or worse, an entirely unexpected effect if you take it after the expiry date.
Do not use Pulmicort Turbuhaler if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Do not use it to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else.
Before you start to use it
You must tell your doctor if:
you have any allergies to
- budesonide
- any other substances.
If you have an allergic reaction, you may get a skin rash, hayfever, worse asthma or feel faint.
you have any of these medical conditions
- if you have any infection now
- if you have had an infection of the lungs in the past e.g. tuberculosis
- liver problems.
It may not be safe for you to take Pulmicort Turbuhaler if you have any of these conditions.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, particularly medicines to treat fungal infections. Include all medicines that you buy at the chemist, supermarket or health food shop.
These medicines may affect the way Pulmicort Turbuhaler works.
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines.
If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell them before you take any Pulmicort Turbuhaler.
If you are pregnant or breast feeding you should always be very careful with the use of medicines. There is no evidence that Pulmicort Turbuhaler is harmful to the mother or the child if it is used by pregnant or breast-feeding women. However, if you become pregnant while using Pulmicort Turbuhaler you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Using Pulmicort Turbuhaler
Your doctor will have explained why you are being treated with Pulmicort Turbuhaler and told you what dose to take. Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
How to take it
Each pack of Pulmicort Turbuhaler contains an instruction leaflet that tells you the correct way to use it. Please read this carefully.
Adult and elderly dose:
The dose can range from 200 micrograms up to 1600 micrograms each day.
This is taken in divided doses, once or up to four times a day. When your asthma is under control the dose is usually lowered.
If you take 800 micrograms or less a day you may be able to take this as a single daily dose in the morning or evening.
Children's dose:
Children are usually considered to be aged 12 or less, but check with your doctor if you are at all worried about the dose that has been prescribed for your child.
The dose can range from 200 micrograms up to 800 micrograms each day.
This is taken in divided doses, once or up to four times a day. When your child's asthma is under control the dose is usually lowered.
You should use your asthma "reliever" medicine if you get a bad (acute) attack of asthma and contact your doctor if this does not help.
If you have an Asthma Action Plan that you have agreed with your doctor, follow it closely at all times.
If you forget to take it
If you miss a dose, it is not necessary to make up for the dose you have missed. Just take it when the next dose is due.
If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
Overdose
If you or someone else accidentally takes too much Pulmicort Turbuhaler on a single occasion, no harmful effects should occur.
However, if you take too much Pulmicort Turbuhaler over a long time (months) you may start to get effects inside your body.
Discuss any worries you may have about this with your doctor or pharmacist or if you have an immediate concern telephone your doctor or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital.
While you are using Pulmicort Turbuhaler
Take your Pulmicort Turbuhaler regularly for your asthma, even if you feel well.
See your doctor regularly to make sure that your asthma is not getting worse.
Your Pulmicort Turbuhaler dose will be changed (up or down) by your doctor depending on your condition.
If you have been prescribed Pulmicort Turbuhaler and still are using "cortisone" tablets, your doctor may gradually (over a period of weeks or months) reduce your dose of tablets. You may even be able to eventually stop using the tablets.
NOTE: If your medication is changed from "cortisone" tablets to Pulmicort Turbuhaler" you may temporarily regain symptoms which may have bothered you earlier, e.g. weakness or pain in muscles and joints. If any of these symptoms bother you, or symptoms such as headache, tiredness, nausea or vomiting occur, contact your doctor.
Be sure to rinse your mouth out with water after every time you use Pulmicort Turbuhaler
. If you don't you are more likely to develop thrush in your mouth.
Things you must not do
Do not stop taking Pulmicort Turbuhaler for your asthma unless you have discussed it with your doctor.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Pulmicort Turbuhaler. Ask them to answer any questions you may have.
Usually you do not feel any side effects when you use Pulmicort Turbuhaler. However, be sure to tell your doctor if any of the following side effects bother you or continue:
- mild irritation in the throat
- irritation of the tongue or mouth
- hoarseness
- thrush (fungal infection in mouth and throat).
These are less likely to happen if you rinse your mouth out after using Pulmicort each time.
Uncommon
dry mouth, bad taste, thirst
coughing
headache, light-headedness
diarrhoea, nausea
weight gain
tiredness.
Rare side effects
skin bruising
skin rash and itching
nervousness, restlessness, depression
bronchospasm (cramp in the airways).
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell or bothering you.
After using it
Cleaning
The Turbuhaler must be wiped with a clean dry tissue and must never get wet.
Full instructions on the right way to use and clean the Turbuhaler are inside each pack.
Storage
Do not store above 30°C
Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Do not leave it in the car on hot days.
Disposal
Ask your pharmacist what to do with any Pulmicort Turbuhaler you have left over if your doctor tells you to stop taking it, or you find that the expiry date has passed.
Product description
Pulmicort Turbuhaler
contains only budesonide as the active ingredient; either 100, 200 or 400 micrograms per dose. Each Turbuhaler contains 200 doses. The Turbuhaler is made up of plastic parts.
