Treatment of Asthma: This combination inhaler is indicated for the treatment of asthma in patients 12 years of age and older. This is not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm.

Maintenance treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): ... Read more

Treatment of Asthma: This combination inhaler is indicated for the treatment of asthma in patients 12 years of age and older. This is not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm.

Maintenance treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): This combination inhalation capsule is indicated for the twice-daily maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This inhalation capsule is the only approved dosage for the treatment of airflow obstruction in COPD.

Dosage & Administration

Inhaler (For Asthma)-

• Adults and adolescents (12 years and older): The recommended maintenance dose is 1 puff twice daily or 2 puffs once daily. For some patients a maintenance dose of 2 puffs twice daily may be appropriate (for 160/4.5 mcg/inhalation only). Patients should take 1 additional puff as needed in response to symptoms. If symptoms persist after a few minutes, the additional puff should be taken. Not more than 6 puffs should be taken on any single occasion.

• Children: The usual maintenance dose is 1 -2 puffs once or twice daily. Patients should take 1 additional puff as needed in response to symptoms. If symptoms persist after a few minutes, the additional puff should be taken. Not more than 4 puffs should be taken on any single occasion.

Inhalation Capsule (For Asthma): There are two alternative dosage regimens for the treatment of asthma with Budesonide and Formoterol combination. Budesonide and Formoterol 100 & 200 Inhalation Capsule maintenance and reliever therapy.
Adults and adolescents (12 years and older):

• Maintenance dose: Budesonide and Formoterol 100 & 200 Inhalation Capsule twice daily
• Reliever dose: 1 additional Inhalation Capsule as needed in response to symptoms. If symptoms persist after a few minutes, an additional Inhalation Capsule should be taken. Not more than 6 Inhalation Capsule should be taken on any single occasion. A total daily dose of more than 8 Inhalation Capsule is not normally needed, however, a total daily dose of up to 12 Inhalation Capsule can be used temporarily.

Children (4 years and older):

• Maintenance dose: Budesonide and Formoterol 100 Inhalation Capsule once daily.
• Reliever dose: 1 additional Inhalation Capsule as needed in response to symptoms. If symptoms persist after a few minutes, an additional Inhalation Capsule should be taken. Not more than 4 Inhalation Capsule should be taken on any single occasion. A total daily dose of more than 4 Inhalation Capsule is not normally needed, however, a total daily dose of up to 8 Inhalation Capsule could be used temporarily.

Inhalation Capsule (For COPD): Adults (40 years and older)

• 200 Inhalation Capsule: 2 Inhalation Capsule twice daily. Maximum daily maintenance dose: 4 Inhalation Capsule
• 400 Inhalation Capsule: 1 Inhalation Capsule twice daily. Maximum daily maintenance dose: 2 Inhalation Capsule.

Interaction

Co-administration with strong cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir) should be avoided as they may cause increased systemic corticosteroid effects. Co-administration with Monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants should be with extreme caution as they may potentiate effect of formoterol on vascular system. Beta-blockers should be use with caution as they may block bronchodilatory effects of beta-agonists and produce severe bronchospasm. Co-administration of Formocort with diuretics should be with caution, as they may cause electrocardiographic changes and/or hypokalemia associated with nonpotassium- sparing diuretics may worsen with concomitant beta-agonists.

Contraindications

This is contraindicated in the following conditions-

• Primary treatment of status asthmaticus or other acute episodes of asthma or COPD where intensive measures are required.
• Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in this preparation.

Side Effects

As the combination inhaler contains Formoterol Fumarate and Budesonide, the type and severity of adverse reactions associated with each of the compounds may be expected. There is no incidence of additional adverse events following concurrent administration of the two compounds. Adverse events, which have been associated with Formoterol Fumarate Dihydrate and Budesonide, are given below:

Formoterol Fumarate: Tremor, palpitations and headache are common adverse events. Cardiac arrhythmias, muscle cramps and hypersensitivity reactions, including rash, oedema and angiooedema are uncommon and rare.

Budesonide: Hoarseness, candida infection in the oropharynx and throat irritation may occur in some patients. Cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions, respiratory tract infections, immunosuppression, growth effect in children, glaucoma & cataract have been reported.

Precautions & Warnings

Caution should be taken in patients with diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis, untreated hypokalaemia, severe hypertension and severe cardiovascular disorders, such as ischaemic heart disease, tachycardia or severe heart failure, glaucoma and cataract, hypercorticism. Paradoxical bronchospasm may occur, with an immediate increase in wheezing and shortness of breath after dosing. If the patient experiences paradoxical bronchospasm the medication should be discontinued immediately.

Overdose Effects

An overdose of Formoterol would likely lead to effects that are typical for (32 adrenoceptor agonists: tremor, headache, palpitations. Symptoms reported from isolated cases are tachycardia, hyperglycaemia, hypokalaemia, prolonged QTc-interval, arrhythmia, nausea and vomiting. Supportive and symptomatic treatment may be indicated. A dose of 90 micrograms administered during three hours in patients with acute bronchial obstruction raised no safety concerns. Acute overdosage with Budesonide, even in excessive doses, is not expected to be a clinical problem. When used chronically in excessive doses, systemic glucocorticosteroid effects, such as hypercorticism and adrenal suppression, may appear.

Storage Conditions

Inhalation capsules must not be swallowed. Only to be used with inhalation device. Keep away from light and wet place. Store at or below 25°C temperature. Keep out of reach of children. Remove Inhalation capsule from the blister pack only immediately before use it in the inhalation device as Inhalation capsule exposed to moisture may not be pierced easily.