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Pulmicort Turbohaler

Authored by

Dr Muhammad Zeeshan Afzal

20 August 2024

What is Pulmicort Turbohaler?

Pulmicort Turbohaler is a preventer inhaler that is used to lessen symptoms of asthma and prevent attacks. Pulmicort should be used every day to prevent inflammation from occurring in the airways, which leads to feelings of breathlessness and sudden asthma attacks.

Description

Pulmicort Turbohaler for Asthma & Breathing Problems

Asthma is a common lung condition that can cause a range of breathing difficulties that happen randomly or after exposure to a trigger. Triggers may include common allergies to pollen or animal dander, infections, environmental changes or from exercise.

The Pulmicort Turbohaler is a type of corticosteroid asthma inhaler that prevents sudden asthma attacks. This inhaler is intended for everyday use and is not a reliever inhaler.

What is a Pulmicort Turbohaler and how does it work?

The Pulmicort Turbohaler contains the medicine budesonide, which is a kind of corticosteroid. Steroid inhalers, such as the Pulmicort Turbohaler, work to copy the effects of the natural hormones which are produced in the adrenal glands. This then causes the body's immune system to calm down and reduce the swelling, inflammation and irritation in the lungs.

Is a Pulmicort Turbohaler right for me?

If you are diagnosed with asthma, COPD or other breathing condition, you may be prescribed a Pulmicort Turbohaler by a doctor or healthcare professional. However, it may not be suitable for you if you have the following:

If you are allergic to budesonide or any other ingredients in this medicine
If you have a lung infection
If you have a cold or chest infection or any other problems with your breathing
If you have (or ever had) tuberculosis (TB)
If you have liver problems
If you are taking steroid medication or medication for a fungal infection
If you are taking medicine for HIV infections

How to use a Pulmicort Turbohaler?

Always use a Pulmicort Turbohaler exactly as prescribed by your doctor or advised by the pharmacist. The recommended starting dose for adults is dependent on what dose your doctor has told you to start on. However, this may be increased or decreased accordingly as per the prescriber's clinical judgement.

For asthma:

If you have been instructed to use your Turbohaler twice a day - the recommended starting dose is 1 or 2 inhalations, twice a day (in the morning and evening)
If you have been instructed to use your Turbohaler once a day - only use your Turbohaler once a day if your doctor has told you to. Use your Turbohaler at the same time each evening
The maximum dose is 1600 micrograms a day

Instructions:

Follow the guidelines for preparing your new Turbohaler
Unscrew the cover and hold your Turbohaler upright with the brown base at the bottom.
Load your Turbohaler with a dose of medicine by turning the brown base as far as it will go in one direction then turn it as far as it will go in the other direction. You should hear a click sound. Do this twice.
Start to breathe as slowly as possible just before using your inhaler
Hold it away from your mouth and breathe out gently. Do not breathe out through the Turbohaler.
Place the mouthpiece in your mouth between your teeth and close your lips, do not bite it
Breathe in as deeply and as hard as you can through your mouth. Then breathe out gently.
Remove the Turbohaler from your mouth
Rinse your mouth out with water after your daily morning and/or evening doses and spit it out.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, consult your doctor before using this medicine

Do not use your inhaler more often than the doctor told you to.

Side Effects

All medications can cause potential side effects, below we have listed some potential side effects of the Pulmicort Turbohaler. However, these do not always occur and are mostly mild in nature. But if you experience any prolonged or worrying side effects of the Pulmicort Turbohaler, please discontinue the medication immediately and consult your doctor.

Common side effects include:

Thrush (a fungal infection) in the mouth. This is less likely if you rinse your mouth out with water after using your Turbohaler.
Mild sore throat, coughing and a hoarse voice.
Pneumonia (infection of the lung) in COPD patients.

Warnings and Precautions

The Pulmicort Turbohaler may not be safe if taken with other medication or recreational drugs. Please inform the prescriber if you are taking any of the listed medications.

DO NOT use the Pulmicort Turbohaler:

If you are allergic to budesonide or any other ingredients in this medicine
If you have a lung infection
If you have a cold or chest infection or any other problems with your breathing
If you have (or ever had) tuberculosis (TB)
If you have liver problems
If you are taking steroid medication or medication for a fungal infection
If you are taking medicine for HIV infections

The above-listed warnings are not exhaustive, please consult a doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you have further questions on the use of this medication or potential interactions with other medicines.