Foracort Inhaler 400 (Formoterol 6mcg / Budesonide 400mcg)

What is Foracort inhaler used for?

Foracort Inhaler 400/6 is a combination medication for treating obstructive airways disease, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (at the lower dose of 200/6). This combination therapy is used for long-term management of asthma, where symptoms are not adequately controlled using a single “preventer” medication but have improved when both medications in this combination have been used together. Foracort Inhaler 400/6 is intended to be used even when there are no symptoms, as part of long-term maintenance therapy, with additional use of a fast-acting reliever medication, as needed.

How does Foracort inhaler work?

Foracort Inhaler 400/6 contains a combination of two medications that work by different mechanisms of action to control reversible obstructive airways disease in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Budesonide is a corticosteroid and anti-inflammatory medication that blocks Inflammation, one of the underlying causes of asthma, by inhibiting the production of inflammatory chemicals released in the airways in response to asthma trigger, such as an allergens or irritants in the air. This reduces inflammation and swelling of the airways, as well as excess mucus production, which can cause blockage of the airways. Formoterol is a rapid-onset and long-acting selective beta-agonist and bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles of the small airways of the lungs (bronchioles) to widen the airways. This reduces bronchospasm (constriction or the airways) relieving symptoms of asthma such as tightness of the chest, wheezing and shortness of breath and provides relief for up to 12 hours. The combination of medications in Foracort Inhaler 400/6 has an additive effect as they work together to provide better control of asthma to protect against symptoms, prevent exacerbations of asthma or COPD and improve lung function. Because Formoterol provides rapid relief for bronchoconstiction, the combination doses provided in Foracort Inhaler 400/6 can be used as both a “preventer” medication for maintenance treatment and as a “reliever” treatment as needed in response to symptoms.

What does Foracort inhaler contain?

Foracort inhaler 400/6 contains the active ingredients budesonide (400mcg) and formoterol fumarate dehydrate (6mcg) suspended in propellant HFA 134a and used to treat asthma and COPD. Foracort is a metered dose inhaler that delivers 400mcg budesonide and 6mcg formoterol as an aerosol into your lungs each time your actuate (press down) your inhaler. Each inhaler contains at least 120 actuations.

What doses of Foracort inhaler are available?

Foracort inhaler is available in two doses:

• 200/6 (budesonide 200mcg and formoterol 6mcg) and can be used for maintenance therapy and for single maintenance and reliever therapy; also for treatment of COPD.
• 400/6 (budesonide 400mcg and formoterol 6mcg) and should be used for maintenance therapy only. A separate rapid acting bronchodilator should be used for reliever therapy.

Treating asthma with Foracort inhaler

Foracort Inhaler 400/6 contains a combination of two medications budesonide and formoterol that are used together for long-term asthma management therapy as well as a “reliever” medication for asthma symptoms as part of an asthma management plan. Budesonide is a corticosteroid and anti-inflammatory medication that blocks Inflammation, one of the underlying causes of asthma, by inhibiting the production of inflammatory chemicals released in the airways in response to asthma trigger, such as an allergens or irritants in the air. This reduces inflammation and swelling of the airways, as well as excess mucus production, which can cause blockage of the airways. Formoterol is a rapid and long-acting beta-agonist and bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles of the small airways of the lungs (bronchioles) to widen the airways. This reduces bronchospasm (constriction or the airways) relieving symptoms of asthma such as tightness of the chest, wheezing and shortness of breath and provides relief for up to 12 hours. The combination of medications in Foracort Inhaler 400/6 has an additive effect as they work together to provide better control of asthma symptoms.

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Can Foracort Inhaler be used with other asthma inhalers?

At the lower dose (200/6), Foracort Inhaler can be used as a long-term “preventer” medication to reduce inflammation and swelling of the airways of the lung, and as a “reliever” medication to reduce bronchospasm (constriction or narrowing of the bronchioles or small airways) as part of an asthma management plan to reduce symptoms and exacerbations of asthma, and to improve lung function. The higher dose of Foracort Inhaler (400/6) is only for maintenance therapy and you will also be prescribed a short-acting bronchodilator for relief of bronchospasm during an asthma attack, to be used as needed. Both are intended to be taken together, only if recommended by your doctor.

What are the side effects of Foracort inhaler?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Foracort Inhaler 400/6 include: a sore throat or tongue, which may be due to candida infection (thrush), hoarseness or throat irritation, nasopharyngitis, headache, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), tremor (shaky or tense feeling), palpitations. Paradoxical bronchospasm is uncommon but can occur in which your inhaler worsens your breathing. Also hypokalaemia (low blood potassium) is an uncommon but serious side effect. Long term use of Foracort Inhaler 400/6 may cause the adrenal glands, which produce endogenous (naturally occurring) corticosteroids, to stop working efficiently. This may slow down the growth rate in children and will need regular monitoring.

When should Foracort inhaler not be used?

You should not use Foracort inhaler if you:

• are allergic to budesonide or formoterol or any ingredients in Foracort Inhaler
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have cardiovascular disease, including heart failure ischaemic heart disease or tachyarrythmias (rapid heartbeat)
• have diabetes, thyroid problems or problems with your potassium levels, without discussion with your doctor
• have pulmonary tuberculosis or infection of the airways
• are taking medicines that interact with Foracort Inhaler 400/6, including: other beta-adrenergic stimulants or sympathomimetic amines such as ephedrine; the antifungals ketoconazole and itraconazole; beta blockers, including eye drops for glaucoma, the antiarrhythmics quinidine, disopyramide and procainamide; phenothiazines in antipsychotics, the antihistamine terfenadine; monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants, L-Dopa for Parkinson’s disease, L-thyroxine for thyroid disease, oxytocin to induce labour, alcohol, xanthines found in stimulants, mineralocorticosteroids for Addisons disease, diuretics for water retention

What medications interact with Foracort inhaler?

Several medications interact with Foracort inhaler and should either not be taken while you are taking Foracort inhaler or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Foracort Inhaler: other beta-adrenergic stimulants or sympathomimetic amines such as ephedrine, the antiarrhythmics quinidine, disopyramide and procainamide, phenothiazines in antipsychotics, the antihistamine terfenadine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants; L-Dopa for Parkinson’s disease, L-thyroxine for thyroid disease, oxytocin to induce labour, alcohol, xanthines found in stimulants, mineralocorticosteroids for Addisons disease, diuretics for water retention
• Drugs that affect Foracort Inhaler: beta blockers (including eye drops)
• Drugs that are affected by Foracort Inhaler: the antifungals ketoconazole and itraconazole.

How should Foracort inhaler be taken?

The dose of Foracort Inhaler 400/6 you use (number of inhalations) and how often you take it depends on what you are being treated for, the severity of your condition and your age, and should be as recommended by your doctor. Foracort Inhaler 400/6 should only be used for maintenance therapy and not for single maintenance and reliever therapy. For maintenance treatment, you will usually take one inhalation twice a day, morning and evening or you can take two inhalations either morning or evening. If you experience asthma symptoms and you need a “reliever” inhaler your doctor may recommend that you take additional inhalations as well as your usual doses, and the total number of inhalations you take per day depends on your age, condition and your doctor’s recommendation, with a maximum dose of two inhalations daily. You should continue to use your Foracort Inhaler 400/6 daily for as long as recommended by your doctor and you should not stop taking your Foracort Inhaler 400/6, even if you feel better.

How to use your Foracort inhaler?

Follow the instruction provided with your Foracort inhaler.

1. Remove the mouthpiece cover and shake the inhaler.
2. Breathe out as far as is comfortable and then place the mouthpiece in your mouth.
3. Start to inhale and press down on the top of the inhaler to release a dose of budesonide and formoterol while still breathing in through your mouth until your lungs are full and then hold your breath for a few seconds.
4. Remove the inhaler and breathe normally.
5. Replace the mouthpiece cover.
6. Rinse your mouth after use.

Note: You can use a spacer device to help you inhale correctly.

How long should you take Foracort inhaler?

You should continue to use your Foracort Inhaler 400/6 daily for as long as recommended by your doctor and you should not stop taking your Foracort Inhaler 400/6, even if you feel better.

Missed dose of Foracort inhaler

If you miss a dose of Foracort inhaler take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Foracort inhaler be stored?

You should store your Foracort inhaler below 25°C in a cool dry place.