WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

PULMICORT^® (budesonide) TURBOHALER^®
PLEASE READ THIS LEAFLET CAREFULLY

This leaflet applies only to PULMICORT TURBOHALER. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything ask your doctor or pharmacist (Chemist). Remember Pulmicort Turbohaler is only for you. Do not give it to anyone else even if their symptoms are similar to yours

WHAT IS IN YOUR PULMICORT TURBOHALER ?

There are three different strengths of Pulmicort Turbohaler. They all contain budesonide and no other ingredients.

Pulmicort Turbohaler 100 contains 200 actuations each containing 100 micrograms of budesonide.

Pulmicort Turbohaler 200 contains 100 actuations each containing 200 micrograms of budesonide.

Pulmicort Turbohaler 400 contains 50 actuations each containing 400 micrograms of budesonide.

Budesonide belongs to a group of medicines called steroids which are used to reduce inflammation. Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways. When Pulmicort is breathed in it goes into your lungs where it helps to reduce and prevent inflammation in the airways.

WHO HAS MADE YOUR MEDICINE ?

Pulmicort Turbohaler is made by Astra AB Södertälje Sweden for the Marketing Authorisation Holder Astra Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Home Park, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, England, WD4 8DH.

WHAT IS YOUR MEDICINE FOR ?

Pulmicort Turbohaler is used to treat bronchial asthma

BEFORE TAKING YOUR MEDICINE !

Make sure you have told your doctor about any other medicines that you are taking including those you have bought without a prescription.

Please read the following questions carefully. They have been asked to check the medicine is suitable for you to take. If the answer to any of the following questions is YES, discuss this with your doctor BEFORE taking Pulmicort Turbohaler.

Are you already taking another steroid medicine ?
Are you pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant or breast feeding a child ?
Do you have a cold or chest infect on or any other problems with your breathing ?

You should not take Pulmicort Turbohaler if you have TB (Tuberculosis), or if you are allergic to budesonide or have hod problems when taking budesonide (e.g. Pulmicort) in the past.

TAKING YOUR MEDICINE

If you have been taking steroid tablets for your asthma, your doctor may reduce the number of tablets that you take once you short to use Pulmicort Turbohaler. You might experience some symptoms as a result of this, in particular: stuffy or runny nose, joint or muscle pain and rash (eczema), if so tell your doctor.

DOSAGE

Usually this will be one or two inhalations twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

Remember, it is important to take your medicine as the doctor has told you. Your doctor will advise you of the correct dose for your individual needs. The instructions on the label should remind you what the doctor said.

You may only need to use your Turbohaler once a day in the evening but you must only do this if your doctor has specifically told you to. It is most important that you take it at the same time each evening.

If you notice your asthma is getting worse particularly if you have only been taking Pulmicort Turbohaler once daily (eg you are using your blue relief inhaler more often or you hove more symptoms) you should double your dose of Pulmicort immediately and talk to your doctor as soon as possible. If you need to do this and you have been taking Pulmicort Turbohaler once daily, double your dose by taking the same number of inhalations your doctor told you to but do it twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening. If you are already taking it twice daily double your dose by simply taking double the number of inhalations each time.

If Pulmicort Turbohaler is to be used by your child you should make sure that it is used correctly, as your doctor has told you.

You may notice an improvement in your breathing after you first use Pulmicort Turbohaler. However it may be several weeks before you see the full effect of Pulmicort Turbohaler.

DO NOT stop taking Pulmicort Turbohaler even when your asthma gets better, unless your doctor tells you to. Remember, for Pulmicort Turbohaler to work properly in treating your asthma you must use it regularly.

Contact your doctor urgently if:

Your breathing is getting worse.
You frequently wake up at night with asthma.
You develop chest tightness in the morning or if it persists for longer than usual.

FORGOTTEN TO TAKE A DOSE ?

If you forget to take an occasional dose, don't worry, it is not necessary to compensate for the dose you have missed. Just take the next dose as usual.

IF YOU HAVE TAKEN TOO MUCH

If you take too much Pulmicort Turbohaler talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Always use your inhaler as your doctor has told you.

HOW TO USE YOUR TURBOHALER

Turbohaler is very easy to use. Simply follow the instructions given below.

Unscrew the white cover and pull it off.
Hold your Turbohaler upright with the brown base at the bottom as shown. Turn the brown base in one direction as for as it will go. Then twist the brown base back again as far as it will go. You should hear a 'click'. Your Pulmicort Turbohaler is now loaded. Only load the inhaler when you need to use it. Every time you load the inhaler the indicator window will show one less actuation.
Breathe out gently but DO NOT breathe out through the inhaler. THEN place the inhaler between your lips and BREATHE IN through your mouth as deeply and as hard as you con.
Remove the inhaler from your mouth and hold your breathe for about 10 seconds or for as long as is comfortable, then breathe out slowly.
If you are to take a second inhalation repeat steps 2, 3 and 4.
Replace the cover after use.
You should brush your teeth and rinse your mouth out with water after using your Turbohaler.

The medicine may not leave a taste in your mouth. You can still be confident that the dose has been inhaled if you have followed the instructions.

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS:

The outside of the mouthpiece should be cleaned regularly (weekly) with a dry tissue.

The mouthpiece should NEVER be washed

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY INHALER IS EMPTY ?

When a red mark first appears in the indicator window as shown, there are about 20 actuations left. You will need to see your doctor for another prescription. When the red mark has filled the indicator window, your Turbohaler is empty. The brown base will still twist and 'click' even when the inhaler is empty. Note: You may hear a sound when you shake your Turbohaler. This is not caused by the medicine but by a drying agent.

AFTER TAKING YOUR MEDICINE

Side -effects that may occur when taking Pulmicort Turbohaler are:

Rash
Sore mouth (oral thrush). This is less likely if you rinse your mouth out with water after taking Pulmicort Turbohaler.
Mild sore throat, coughing and a hoarse voice.
Like other steroids at high doses budesonide may have an effect on the adrenal gland. Your doctor may ask for a blood sample from time to time.
Very occasionally inhaled drugs may cause acute wheezing, if this occurs stop taking Pulmicort Turbohaler and seek medical advice immediately.

Tell your doctor if you experience any of these or if you notice anything else unusual.

STORING YOUR MEDICINE

Keep your Pulmicort Turbohaler at room temperature (below 30°C). Keep the cover screwed on when you are not using it. Do not use your Turbohaler after the expiry date written on the side. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.

ASTRA RESPIRATORY CARE SERVICE

The Astra Respiratory Care Service can provide information for anyone who has been prescribed Turbohaler by their doctor for asthma or breathing difficulties. The aim of the service is to complement the support and advice provided by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.