Therapeutic Action
Combination of inhaled corticosteroid (beclometasone) and long-acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilator (formoterol)
PDF page 57
Loading InternPractice…
Drug reference
Combination of inhaled corticosteroid (beclometasone) and long-acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilator (formoterol)
PDF page 57
Long term treatment of chronic asthma (maintenance and symptomatic treatment)
PDF page 57
Do not administer to patients with untreated respiratory infection. May cause: throat irritation, hoarseness and cough at the beginning of treatment; oro-pharyngeal candidiasis; adrenal suppression with high doses for prolonged periods; headache, tremor and tachycardia, hyperglycaemia; hypokalaemia (after high doses). Pregnancy: no contra-indication Breast-feeding: no contra-indication
PDF page 58
Solution or suspension for inhalation in pressurised metered dose inhaler, delivering 100 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate (extrafine particles) and 6 micrograms of formoterol fumarate/puff
PDF page 57
Start at the step most appropriate to initial severity. Child 12 years and over and adult: Asthma severity 100/6 micrograms per puff Intermittent asthma Only when symptomatic: 1 puff Mild persistent asthma 1 puff (low dose) 2 times daily Moderate persistent asthma and 1 puff when symptomatic 2 puffs (medium dose) 2 times daily Severe persistent asthma and 1 puff when symptomatic In all cases, do not exceed 8 puffs/day
PDF pages 57, 58
As long as required. Re-evaluate after 2 to 3 months if doses are adequate or need to be increased or decreased.
PDF page 58
Shake the inhaler. Remove the mouthpiece cover. Breathe in and breathe out as completely as possible. Place the lips tightly around the mouthpiece. Inhale deeply while activating the inhaler. Hold breath 10 seconds before exhaling. Hand-breath co-ordination is very difficult in older patients and patients with severe dyspnoea. Use a spacer to facilitate administration and improve the efficacy of treatment.
PDF page 58
Relief of symptoms may require several days or weeks of continuous therapy. Clean the mouthpiece before and after each use. Do not pierce or incinerate used aerosol containers (risk of explosion). 100 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate extrafine particles is equivalent to 250 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate non-extrafine particles. Beclometasone/formoterol may also be available as a dry powder inhaler. Doses are the same as for metered dose inhaler. Manufacturers may express the content per inhaler actuation in "metered dose" or "delivered dose".
PDF page 58
Before use: between 2 ºC and 8 °C. Do not freeze. After first use: below 25 ºC for 3 months maximum.
PDF page 58