®Foradil

^®Foradil eformoterol fumarate		*Information for Patients*

What you need to know about Foradil

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to use your medicine.

It contains important information about your medicine.

What's in your medicine

FORADIL comes as capsules containing a dry powder. The dry powder is inhaled into the lungs using the inhaler provided in the pack. Each capsule contains 12 micrograms of eformoterol fumarate. This is one of a group of medicines called bronchodilators. The capsules also contain lactose.

FORADIL comes in calendar blister packs of 14 or 56 capsules.

Manufacturer: Ciba-Geigy Ltd., Stein, Switzerland for Geigy Pharmaceuticals,

Horsham, West Sussex RH12 4AB

Product Licence Holder: Ciba-Geigy PLC, Hulley Road, Macclesfield,

Cheshire SK10 2NX

What this medicine is used for

FORADIL is used to treat the wheezing and breathlessness of chest illnesses such as asthma. It makes breathing easier by relaxing muscle spasms in the air passages of the lungs. Regular use of FORADIL usually together with other medicines such as steroids, will help to prevent breathing problems

Before using your medicine

Have you ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to eformoterol or lactose?

Are you under 18?

If the answer to either of these questions is YES, do not use your medicine without talking to your doctor again.

Do you suffer from any heart problems?

Do you have an overactive thyroid gland?

Are you diabetic?

Are you pregnant or breast feeding?

If the answer to any of these questions is YES, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Are you taking any of the following:

Medicines for heart conditions including irregular heart beats and angina?

Medicines for high blood pressure?

Beta blockers (either as tablets or eye drops)?

Water tablets (diuretics)?

Medicines for depression, for example, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOls) or tricyclics?

Anti-histamines or cold remedies (including any bought from the chemist) ?

Theophylline or aminophylline?

If the answer to any of these questions is YES, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Other special warnings

Your doctor may have given you other medicines for your breathing problems, for example, inhaled steroids. It is very important to keep using these regularly. DO NOT stop using them or change the dose when you start using FORADIL.

FORADIL is not suitable for children.

Do not swallow the capsules - they must only be used with the inhaler.

Using your medicine

Your doctor will tell you how much FORADIL to use and when to use it. Follow his/her instructions carefully. The usual dose for adults including elderly patients is 1 or 2 puffs (1 capsule = 1 puff) morning and evening. If you are unsure about the dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

The blister strips containing the capsules are marked from Mon to Sun. Start your treatment with the capsule(s) marked with today's day (eg Mon).

If your doctor has told you to use 2 puffs a day (1 puff morning and evening) Start with the capsule with today's day and use up one blister strip per week		If your doctor has told you to use 4 puffs a day (2 puffs morning and evening) Start with the capsule with today’s day and use up two blister strips per week
Morning dose Evening dose		Morning dose Evening dose

Normally the effects of this medicine will last for 12 hours. However, if you do get attacks of wheezing between doses, do not take extra doses of FORADIL. Your doctor will have prescribed another medicine for this purpose. If you are not sure about this, check with your doctor.

Do not stop using FORADIL or any other medicine for your breathing just because you feel better. It is very important to use these medicines regularly

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as your remember. Then go on as before. Do not double the dose.

If you feel sick or very shaky or if you have an unusually fast heart beat, your FORADIL dose may be too high. Tell your doctor as soon as possible.

*How to use the capsules with your inhaler*

Pull off the cap

Hold the base of the inhaler firmly and turn the mouthpiece in the direction of the arrow to open.

Take one of today's capsules out of the blister strip. Place it in the capsule-shaped compartment in the base of the inhaler. It is important that you remove the capsule from the blister pack only immediately before you use it.

Twist the mouthpiece to the closed position.

Keeping the inhaler upright, firmly squeeze the two blue buttons. This will pierce the capsule. Release the buttons. Although the capsule is now pierced, the powder will not be released until you inhale it.

Breathe out fully.

Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and tilt your head slightly backwards. Close your lips around the mouthpiece and breathe in as quickly and as deeply as you can. As you breathe in, you will inhale the medicine into your lungs. Hold your breath for as long as you comfortably can while taking the inhaler out of your mouth. Then breathe normally. Open the inhaler to see if any powder is still in the capsule. If there is still powder in the capsule repeat steps 5 to 8.

After use, tip out the empty capsule and close the mouthpiece.
If you need to clean the inhaler, wipe the mouthpiece and capsule compartment with a dry cloth. Alternatively, a clean soft brush may be used.

Please note: FORADIL capsules must only be used with the inhaler provided. You must not try to inhale them using another inhaler. Also, do not put other types of capsules into the inhaler supplied with FORADIL..

After using your medicine

Foradil does not usually cause unwanted effects. However, it can do so sometimes in some people. If you get any of the following tell your doctor:

A sudden increase in breathlessness or wheezing.

Unusually fast heart beat or palpitations.

Feeling nervous or anxious.

Other effects which may occur include:

Headache or dizziness.

Muscle cramps.

Shakiness of the hands.

Mouth or throat irritation.

Sleeplessness.

These effects are often mild and may wear off after a few days' treatment. If they are severe or last for more than a few days, tell your doctor. Also, if your medicine upsets you in any other way, tell your doctor.

Storing your medicine

The expiry date for this medicine is given on the carton. Do not use the medicine after this date.

Keep your medicine at room temperature in a dry place, out of reach of children. Do not take the capsules out of the blister pack until you need them. Return any unused medicine to your pharmacist.

Remember: this medicine is for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give it to someone else. It may harm them even if they have the same symptoms as you.

The information in this leaflet applies only to FORADIL. This leaflet does not contain the complete information about your medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.