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Budesonide and formoterol
bew-dess-oh-nide and for-mot-er-ol
What does it do?
Budesonide and formoterol helps to prevent asthma symptoms and breathing problems. It is also used to relieve symptoms for people with asthma using the SMART action plan.
How should you use it?
Inhale budesonide and formoterol as directed by your healthcare professional.
Rinse your mouth after use.
Budesonide and formoterol works best when used every day.
If you need quick relief from asthma symptoms or breathing problems, use your ‘reliever’ medicine (e.g. salbutamol, terbutaline, ipratropium). If you have asthma and are using the SMART action plan, budesonide and formoterol is both your preventer and reliever medicine.
What if you forget a dose?
If it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and inhale your next dose at the usual time. Otherwise, inhale the missed dose as soon as you remember.
Can you take other medicines?
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products or recreational drugs.
What side effects might you notice?
| Side Effects | Recommended action |
|---|---|
|
Fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain |
Tell your doctor |
|
Dry mouth or throat, hoarse voice, cough Unpleasant taste Small white sores in mouth, furry tongue (oral thrush) |
Use a spacer and rinse your mouth after use. If symptoms continue, tell your doctor. |
|
Tremor Headache, dizziness Nervousness, trouble sleeping |
Tell your doctor if troublesome |
If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other information:
- Do not stop using your inhaler without talking to your doctor first.
- Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, cataracts, osteoporosis, or glaucoma; or if you have ever had tuberculosis.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- Some people with asthma may get short of breath after taking certain pain-relieving medicines such as aspirin (e.g. Aspec®), diclofenac (e.g. Voltaren®) or ibuprofen (e.g. Nurofen®). Talk to your healthcare professional.
- Long-term use of budesonide and formoterol may rarely cause effects such as: round face, change in body shape, change in hair growth, thin skin, weak muscles, increased risk of infection, increased blood pressure, diabetes and slowed growth in children – discuss with your healthcare professional.
- The use of inhalers can sometimes make breathing worse. Discuss this with your healthcare professional.
- If you are using your budesonide and formoterol as your reliever, keep it handy at all times so you know where it is when you need it.
This leaflet contains important, but not all, information about this medicine.
Prepared by the PILs Committee at Christchurch Hospital, Canterbury District Health Board, New Zealand. June 2017
For more general information about this sheet and its contents, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
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About My Medicines
My Medicines Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) contain important, but not all, information about the medicines they describe.
For more information about the sheets, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
My Medicines is developed by a team at the Canterbury District Health Board. Our team is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and a non-medical person to help us keep to plain language. We also discuss our information with specialist health professionals or groups when needed