• Maintenance treatment in asthma for patients not controlled on long-term asthma control treatment:
    • 160mcg/9mcg (2 actuations of 80mcg/4.5mcg) BD
    • Severe: 320mcg/9mcg (2 actuations of 160mcg/4.5mcg) BD
    • Max: 320mcg/9mcg per day
  • Maintenance treatment in COPD:
    • 160mcg/9mcg (2 actuations of 80mcg/4.5mcg) BD
    • Max: 640mcg/18mcg per day
    • Only approved treatment dose
  • Moderate-severe persistent asthma (step 3 or 4) (Off-label):
    • 1-2 puffs OD/BD, then 1-2 puffs inhaled every 4 hours PRN
    • Max: 12 puffs/day; 54mcg/day formoterol

Inhaler:

  • 100mcg/6mcg
  • 200mcg/6mcg
  • 400mccg/6mcg

Turbuhaler:

  • 80mcg/4.5mcg
  • 160mcg/4.5mcg
  • 320mcg/9mcg
  • Actuate before use by pumping 2 puffs in the air before use.
  • Shake for 5 seconds before each use.
  • Prime inhaler again if not used for >7 days
  • Rinse mouth with water after use.

Budesonide: anti-inflammatory corticosteroid with weak mineralocorticoid activity.

Formoterol: Long-acting selective beta2-adrenergic agonist with rapid onset of action. It relaxes the airway smooth muscles by increasing cAMP levels.

  • Nasopharyngitis
  • Headache
  • URI symptoms
  • Pharyngolaryngeal pain
  • Sinusitis
  • Influenza
  • Back pain
  • Nasal congestion
  • Dyspepsia
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Oral candidiasis
  • BP changes
  • Chest pain
  • Palpitations
  • Tachycardia
  • Muscle cramps
  • Tremor
  • Nervousness
  • Insomnia
  • Cough
  • Bronchitis
  • Hypersensitivity to compound/class
  • Status asthmaticus
  • Acute asthma/bronchospasm
  • Acute deteriorating COPD
  • Use of long acting beta agonists as monotherapy without corticosteroids in asthma can lead to death
  • Desmopressin

                                   Drug Status

Availability Prescription only
Pregnancy Not recommended
Breastfeeding Can be used
Schedule Not controlled
BRAND NAME STRENGTH FORMULATION PACK SIZE MANUFACTURER DISTRIBUTOR
Foralin 200mcg/6mcg Inhalation 120D Cipla Ltd Imperial Managed
Foralin 400mcg/6mcg Inhalation 120D Cipla Ltd Imperial Managed
Foralin 100mcg/6mcg Inhalation 120D Cipla Ltd Imperial Managed
Formonide 200mcg/6mcg Inhalation 120D Cadila Pharma Cadila Pharma
Formonide 400mcg/6mcg Inhalation 120D Cadila Healthcare Cadila Healthcare
Fortide 200mcg/6mcg Inhalation 120D Getz Pharma Surgipharm Ltd
Symbicort Turbuhaler 80mcg/4.5mcg per puff Inhalation 60D AstraZeneca AstraZeneca
Symbicort Turbuhaler 320mcg/9mcg per puff Inhalation 60D AstraZeneca AstraZeneca
Symbicort Turbuhaler 160mcg/4.5mcg per puff Inhalation 60D, 120D AstraZeneca AstraZeneca