Budesonide+formoterol
About
Budesonide+formoterol belongs to the respiratory combination medication primarily used to treat asthma symptoms and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Asthma is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty breathing. COPD is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes).
Budesonide+formoterol is a combination of two drugs: Budesonide (corticosteroid) and Formoterol (LABA - long-acting beta-agonists or bronchodilator). Budesonide belongs to the corticosteroids class that works by reducing the irritation and swelling by acting inside the nasal passage and airways lining cells and stops the release of certain chemicals responsible for causing inflammatory reactions and allergies. Thereby, it provides relief from sneezing, runny or blocked nose and sinus discomfort. On the other hand, Formoterol belongs to LABA - long-acting beta-agonists or bronchodilators that relaxes and widens respiratory airways muscles, making it easier for asthma and COPD patient to breathe.
Use Budesonide+formoterol as prescribed. Your doctor will recommend how often you use Budesonide+formoterol based on your medical condition. Some people may experience fungal infection in the mouth, headache, sore throat, hoarse voice, upper respiratory tract infection, flu, cough, back pain, increased heart rate, and trembling. Most of these side effects of Budesonide+formoterol do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to lactose (a form of sugar) or have lactose intolerance, Budesonide+formoterol or any other ingredients, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Budesonide+formoterol. Budesonide+formoterol is not recommended for children below 6 years of age. If your breathing worsens or you often wake up at night with asthma, experience chest tightness in the morning or last longer than usual, please consult a doctor immediately. These might be signs indicating that your asthma is not controlled properly and requires an alternate or additional treatment. Regular monitoring of potassium levels is recommended while taking Budesonide+formoterol as it may cause low potassium levels in the blood. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), glaucoma, cataracts, osteoporosis (weak bones), fits, immune system problems, chickenpox, measles, thyroid, lung, heart, liver or adrenal gland problems, inform your doctor before taking Budesonide+formoterol. Prolonged use of LABA (long-acting beta-agonists) or vasodilators drugs may cause symptoms like chest pain (angina), increased blood pressure (hypertension), a fast and irregular heart rate (palpitation), headache, tremor, and nervousness.
Uses of Budesonide+formoterol
Medicinal Benefits
Budesonide+formoterol is a combination of two drugs, namely: Budesonide and Formoterol that is used to treat symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Budesonide belongs to the class of corticosteroids that works by reducing the irritation and swelling by acting inside cells of the nasal lining and stops the release of certain chemicals in the body that cause inflammatory reactions. Thereby, provides relief from sneezing, runny or blocked nose and sinus discomfort. Formoterol belongs to the class of bronchodilators that works by relaxing muscles and widening the airways of the lungs. Thus, it makes breathing easier.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Budesonide+formoterol
- Fungal infection in the mouth
- Headache
- Sore throat, hoarse voice
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Flu, cough
- Back pain
- Increased heart rate
- Shaking or trembling
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to lactose, Budesonide+formoterol or any other ingredients, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Budesonide+formoterol. Budesonide+formoterol is not recommended for children below 6 years of age. If your breathing worsens or you often wake up at night with asthma, experience chest tightness in the morning or lasts longer than usual, please consult a doctor immediately as these might be signs indicating that your asthma is not controlled properly and requires an alternate or additional treatment. Regular monitoring of potassium levels is recommended while taking Budesonide+formoterol as it may cause low potassium levels in the blood. Avoid contact with people who have infections or who are sick as Budesonide+formoterol may weaken the immune system causing infections easily. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), glaucoma, cataracts, osteoporosis (weak bones), fits, immune system problems, chickenpox, measles, thyroid, lung, heart, liver or adrenal gland problems, inform your doctor before taking Budesonide+formoterol.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Budesonide+formoterol may interact with bronchodilators (albuterol), steroids (prednisone), water pills (furosemide), pain killers (aspirin), antibiotic (azithromycin), antidepressant (duloxetine), heart-related medicines (metoprolol), antifungals (itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, ketoconazole), HIV/AIDS drugs (ritonavir).
Drug-Food Interaction: Budesonide+formoterol may interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Therefore, avoid intake of grapefruit or its juice with Budesonide+formoterol as it may lead to severe adverse effects.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), glaucoma, cataracts, osteoporosis (weak bones), fits, immune system problems, chickenpox, measles, thyroid, lung, heart, liver or adrenal gland problems, inform your doctor before taking Budesonide+formoterol.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of Budesonide+formoterol with alcohol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Budesonide+formoterol.
Pregnancy
cautionThe safety of Budesonide+formoterol in pregnant women is unknown. Therefore, it is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Budesonide+formoterol is excreted in human milk. It is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks.
Driving
safe if prescribedBudesonide+formoterol usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionUse Budesonide+formoterol with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
safe if prescribedIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Budesonide+formoterol in patients with Kidney problems, please consult a doctor.
Children
cautionBudesonide+formoterol is not recommended for children below 6 years as the safety and effectiveness were not established. However, please consult a doctor before giving Budesonide+formoterol to children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to strengthen your breathing muscles and boost your immune system.
- Avoid foods such as cabbage, beans, garlic, onions, shrimp, pickled food, dried fruits, fried foods, carbonated drinks, wine, bottled lemon and lime juice as it may worsen asthma symptoms.
- Do meditation, deep breathing, regular exercise and try progressive muscle relaxation techniques to get relief from stress and reduce the risk of an asthma attack.
- Quit smoking as it may reduce the effectiveness of the Budesonide+formoterol and irritate the lungs worsening breathing problem.
- Learning breathing exercises will help you move more air in and out of your lungs.
Special Advise
- You are advised to rinse your mouth with water after each dose of Budesonide+formoterol because it not only removes the taste of medicine inhaled but also helps to avoid fungal infections (oral thrush) in the mouth and throat. After rinsing your mouth thoroughly, you may drink water, milk or any liquids.
- Avoid using more than 12 inhalations in a day and more than 6 inhalations at once.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Asthma: It is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus leading to difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of asthma include wheezing (whistling sound while breathing), shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough especially at night. The symptoms of mild persistent asthma may occur more than 2 times in a week and up to 4 nights in a month whereas, in case of severe persistent asthma, the symptoms occur several times every day and most nights. The treatment for asthma includes medication, breathing exercises and self-care.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): It is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes). The major cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. Also, long-term exposure to fumes and chemicals may lead to COPD. The symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath or wheezing (whistle sound while breathing).
FAQs
Yes, Budesonide+formoterol may cause fungal infection in the mouth (oral thrush) as a common side effect. It is not necessary for everyone taking Budesonide+formoterol to experience this side effect. However, to avoid such side effects, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water after using Budesonide+formoterol every time.
Budesonide+formoterol should be used with caution in osteoporosis (low bone density resulting in weak and brittle bones) patients as it may worsen the condition. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have osteoporosis before taking Budesonide+formoterol so that the dose may be adjusted or an alternate medicine may be prescribed.
No, you are not recommended to take ketoconazole or other antifungal drugs such as itraconazole, posaconazole and voriconazole with Budesonide+formoterol as co-administration of these medicines may increase the absorption of Budesonide+formoterol into the bloodstream and increase the risk of adverse effects such as high blood pressure, weight gain, depression, muscle weakness, swelling, acne, skin thinning, cataracts, excessive growth of facial or body hair, stretch marks, high blood glucose levels, menstrual irregularities, loss of bone density, easy bruising and abnormal distribution of body fat, especially in the waist, back, neck and face, neck. However, please consult a doctor before using other medicines with Budesonide+formoterol.
You are not recommended to take more than the prescribed dose of Budesonide+formoterol as it may cause adverse effects such as fast heartbeat, trembling or headache. However, if you experience any of these symptoms while taking Budesonide+formoterol, please consult a doctor immediately.
You are not recommended to stop taking Budesonide+formoterol without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the condition or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Budesonide+formoterol for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while taking Budesonide+formoterol, please consult your doctor.
Budesonide+formoterol does not relieve a sudden asthma attack. Therefore, it is advised to carry a rescue inhaler always to treat sudden asthma symptoms.
Throat irritation or pain, oral thrush (fungal infection), respiratory tract infections, low potassium level and sinusitis (sinus inflammation) are some of the common side effects of Budesonide+formoterol, which might occur in some patients.
In rare cases, Budesonide+formoterol may cause low potassium level. So if you experience tiredness, muscle cramps, weakness, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and constipation contact doctor for the advice.
People with heart problems (including high blood pressure, chest pain, fast heartbeat, fits (seizures), thyroid problems, diabetes, immune system problem, weak bones or osteoporosis, eye problems (glaucoma, cataracts) and liver problems should consult a doctor before using Budesonide+formoterol.
