Foracort general information
What is Foracort used for?
Foracort Multi-haler is a combination medication for treating obstructive airways disease, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 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 Multi-haler 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. It can also be used as a “reliever” medication, but not for asthma attack. Foracort Multi-haler is also used to treat symptoms of severe COPD where exacerbation of symptoms has not improved with a single medication.
How does Foracort work?
Foracort Multi-haler 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 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 Multi-haler 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 Multi-haler 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 contain?
Foracort Multi-haler contains the active ingredients budesonide (200mcg) and formoterol fumarate dehydrate (6mcg) in a dry powder, used to treat asthma and COPD. Each inhaler contains 30 doses.
What doses of Foracort Multi-haler are available?
Foracort Multi-haler is available in two doses:
- (budesonide 200mcg and formoterol 6mcg) and can be used for maintenance therapy and for single maintenance and reliever therapy.
- 400/6 (budesonide 400mcg and formoterol 6mcg) and should be used for maintenance therapy only.
Treating asthma with Foracort
Foracort Multi-haler 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 prov
ides relief for up to 12 hours. The combination of medications in Foracort Multi-haler has an additive effect as they work together to provide better control of asthma symptoms.
Can Foracort Multi-haler be used with other asthma inhalers?
At the lower dose (), Foracort Multi-haler 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 Multi-haler (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.
Foracort for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Foracort Multi-haler contains a combination of two medications, budesonide and formoterol that are used together for long-term maintenance therapy of severe obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for people who are using a bronchodilator but are still having frequent symptoms and a history of exacerbations. COPD is a chronic disease of the airways and includes conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, characterised by inflammation of the airways and increased mucus production, which cause symptoms like cough with phlegm production and breathlessness. Budesonide is a corticosteroid and anti-inflammatory medication that 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) making
breathing easier, and provides relief for up to 12 hours. The combination of medications in Foracort Multi-haler has an additive effect as they work together to provide better relief from symptoms, increased airflow, reduced exacerbations and improved quality of life.
What are the side effects of Foracort?
The most commonly reported side effects when taking Foracort Multi-haler include: a sore throat or tongue, which may be due to candida infection (thrush), hoarseness or throat irritation, headache, tachycardia (rapid heart beat), 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 Multi-haler 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 not be used?
You should not use Foracort Multi-haler if you:
- are allergic to budesonide or formoterol or any ingredients in Foracort Multi-haler
- are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
- have cardiovascular disease, including heart failure ischaemic heart disease or tachyarrythmias (rapid heart beat)
- have diabetes, thyroid problems or problems with your potassium levels, without discussion with your doctor
- are taking medicines that interact with Foracort Multi-haler , 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?
Several medications interact with Foracort and should either not be taken while you are taking Foracort or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:
- Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Foracort Multi-haler: 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 Multi-haler: beta blockers (including eye drops)
- Drugs that are affected by Foracort Multi-haler: the antifungals ketoconazole and itraconazole.
How should Foracort be taken?
The dose of Foracort Multi-haler you use (number of inhalations) and how often you take it depends on what you are being treated for, the severity of your condition, whether you are using it for maintenance and reliever therapy or just for maintenance therapy, and your age, and should be as recommended by your doctor. 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 four inhalations twice daily. You should continue to use your Foracort Multi-haler daily for as long as recommended by your doctor and you should not stop taking your Foracort Multi-haler , even if you feel
better.
How long should you take Foracort?
You should continue to use your Foracort Multi-haler daily for as long as recommended by your doctor and you should not stop taking your Foracort Multi-haler , even if you feel better.
Missed dose of Foracort
If you miss a dose of Foracort Multi-haler 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 be stored?
You should store your Foracort Multi-haler below 25°C in a cool dry place.
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