Pulmicort

Pulmicort Turbohaler is an inhaler used to manage asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It first became available in the EU in 1989.

It is a preventer inhaler, which means you have to use it every day. This is different from your reliever inhaler (e.g. Ventolin), which you use when your symptoms feel worse.

Pulmicort contains budesonide, which is a steroid. It helps to reduce inflammation in your lungs to relieve and prevent symptoms. It delivers the medicine in the form of a powder, a type of inhaler called a dry powder inhaler (DPI).

It is available in 2 different doses at 121doc: 100 mcg and 200 mcg.

Pulmicort contains budesonide. It is a type of medicine called a corticosteroid, more commonly known as a steroid.

These medicines work by reducing the activity of your immune system. It prevents your airways from triggering an incorrect immune response to certain substances, which would usually cause your airways to become inflamed and narrow.

Pulmicort inhalers therefore prevent this immune system response, helping to reduce chronic inflammation in your airways and preventing asthma symptoms.

Studies have shown that the Pulmicort Turbohaler is an effective asthma treatment.

One study involving 1133 adults and children investigated how Pulmicort improved asthma symptoms after 5 months of treatment. They found that it significantly improved symptoms.

They measured the forced expiratory volume (FEV1), which is a measure of the maximum amount that you can breathe out in 1 second.

They saw a significant improvement in lung capacity after 5 months. At the beginning of the study, the average lung capacity was 67%. By the end of the study, it was 81%. Average lung capacity should be 75% or above.

You may start to feel improvements in your breathing within the first few days of using it. However, you will most likely see significant improvements after 4-6 weeks.

Pulmicort is safe to take for most adults with asthma or COPD.

Some people should consult their doctor before using Pulmicort. This is because they may be at a higher risk of side effects. This includes people who:

• have a lung infection
• have a cold or chest infection
• have breathing problems
• have or recently had tuberculosis
• liver problems
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• take other steroid medicines
• take medicines for HIV (e.g. ritonavir or cobicistat)
• take medicines for fungal infections (e.g. ketoconazole or itraconazole)

If you have any other medical condition or take any other medicine, you should consult your doctor before using Pulmicort.

Pulmicort Turbohaler is available as 100 mcg, 200 mcg and 400 mcg doses per inhalation. How much you need to take depends on the severity of your condition, your specific treatment plan & instructions from your doctor.

Usually, you will take 1 or 2 inhalations twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. You can take up to 800 mcg twice daily (4 inhalations of the 200 mcg).

You must use Pulmicort every day. This will help to prevent asthma symptoms and reduce the risk of asthma attacks.

To prevent asthma symptoms, you must use Pulmicort correctly. You should also follow the asthma action plan from your doctor to reduce the risk of asthma attacks.

Preparing your Turbohaler for use

1. Unscrew the white cover and lift it off.

2. Hold your Turbohaler upright with the brown base at the bottom.
3. Turn the brown base as far as it will go in one direction.
4. Then, turn it back as far as it will go in the other direction.
5. You should hear a click sound.

6. Repeat steps 2-5, and it should be ready to use.

How to use your Turbohaler

1. Breathe out gently. Do not breathe through your Turbohaler.

2. Place the mouthpiece gently between your teeth. Close your lips. Breathe in as deeply and as hard as you can through your mouth.
3. Remove the Turbohaler from your mouth. Breathe out gently.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 if you need to take another inhalation.

Pulmicort Turbohaler only releases a small amount of medicine, so you won’t taste anything. If you have followed the steps correctly, you will have successfully used the Turbohaler.

Make sure you clean your Turbohaler regularly. Wipe the outside of the mouthpiece once a week with a dry tissue. Do not use water or liquids.

You will see a red mark in the indicator window when you have 20 doses left. When you see this red mark, you should re-order your prescription.

When the red mark reaches the bottom of the indicator window, you should start your new Turbohaler.

Like all prescription medicines, Pulmicort may cause side effects. The most common side effects should go away on their own once your body gets used to the medicine.

Common side effects (up to 1 in 10 people):

• headache
• oral thrush (oral candidiasis)
• pneumonia (in patients with COPD)
• change in taste or voice
• cough
• throat irritation

Speak to your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any persistent or serious side effects.

For a full list of side effects, please refer to the patient information leaflet (PIL).

No, Pulmicort does not cause any weight gain. Steroid inhalers like Pulmicort act locally on your lungs. So, unlike oral steroids, they are less likely to cause side effects across your body, like weight gain.

Yes, Pulmicort is a safe and clinically-proven asthma treatment. But if you have another medical condition or take other medication, your doctor will need to ensure it’s safe for you. Our doctors will also know whether it’s safe for you based on your medical questionnaire during the ordering process.

No, Pulmicort inhalers are not available without a prescription. Our doctors will only prescribe treatment if you meet the criteria in your online consultation.

A prescription from a trusted healthcare provider like 121doc ensures:

• safety during treatment
• effective results
• monitoring of side effects