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What is the Pulmicort Turbohaler?

The Pulmicort Turbohaler is a type of preventer inhaler which contains a steroid (budesonide) used to manage asthma and prevent symptoms from occurring. It is usually prescribed for patients who need to use their blue reliever inhaler more than twice a week.

How does the Pulmicort Turbohaler work?

The Pulmicort Turbohaler contains a corticosteroid called budesonide which controls inflammation in response to irritants such as dust mites, cold air, exercise or pet hair. When budesonide is inhaled into the lungs, it prevents the cells in your lungs from releasing the chemicals that produce an inflammatory reaction. Regular use of the inhaler helps to prevent your lungs from becoming inflamed and stops asthma symptoms from flaring up.

Why do I need to use Pulmicort regularly?

Pulmicort needs to be used regularly in order to keep your asthma under control. It reduces inflammation in your lungs to improve your breathing and prevent asthma attacks from occurring. If you stop using it or do not use it regularly as prescribed, then your lungs are likely to become inflamed again, triggering symptoms like wheezing, coughing, breathlessness and chest tightness.

Active ingredients

Budesonide is the active ingredient in Pulmicort. Each dose contains 100, 200 or 400mcg of the drug depending on what strength of inhaler you have.

Inactive ingredients

There are no other ingredients in Pulmicort such as propellants, lubricants, preservatives, carrier substances or other additives.

Which ingredients can cause an allergic reaction?

Pulmicort, which contains budesonide, is rarely associated with severe allergic reactions. If you are allergic to the active or inactive ingredients of this medication, please let your prescribing doctor know and do not take this medication. Lip/eye swelling, hives, difficulty breathing and dizziness are signs of a severe allergic reaction. This needs immediate medical attention so please get to your local emergency department as soon as possible.

How to use the Pulmicort Turbohaler?

Before using your inhaler for the first time, you need to prepare it for use. First, unscrew the white cover and lift it off. Next, turn the brown base as far as it will go in one direction. Then turn it back as far as it will go in the other direction. It does not matter which way you turn first. You should hear a click sound. Perform the procedure twice to ensure your inhaler is ready to use.

When you're ready, unscrew the white cover and hold the inhaler so that the brown base is at the bottom. Each time you use it, you'll need to load it with a dose. To do this, turn the brown base as far as it will go in one direction and then again in the opposite direction. Next, breathe out slowly before placing the mouthpiece between your lips. Breathe in as deeply as you can before removing the inhaler from your mouth and exhaling slowly.

Pulmicort dosage

The standard dose of Pulmicort is 1–2 puffs twice a day. Always take the dose that has been prescribed to you by your doctor, as it will depend on the severity of your symptoms.

What should I do if I find I’ve used Pulmicort more regularly than I should have?

If you use your Pulmicort inhaler too often or have taken a higher dose than you should have, this isn't likely to cause you any harm; however, you should tell your doctor.

What should I do if I forget to use Pulmicort?

If you forget to use your Pulmicort inhaler, just use it as soon as you remember, unless you are due to take your next dose. You shouldn't take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Pulmicort side effects

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

• Oral thrush (a fungal infection in the mouth)
• An irritated throat 
• Coughing 
• Hoarse voice 
• Pneumonia (in patients with COPD)

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include:

• Feeling worried, restless or nervous.
• Depression or other mood changes
• Trembling or shaking
• Cataract (clouding of the lens in the eye)
• Muscle cramps.
• Blurred vision.

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) include:

• Sleeping problems
• Irritability
• Bruising of the skin
• Loss of voice

Inhaled steroids can affect the level and production of steroid hormones in your body, particularly if you use high doses for a long time. This can cause changes in bone density, glaucoma (an eye condition) and a slowing of growth in children.

Contraindications

Pulmicort is not suitable for: 

• Children under five years of age
• People who are allergic to budesonide or any other steroid medication

Extra care should be taken for people who: 

• Have ever experienced tuberculosis of the lungs
• Have a fungal infection of the lungs 
• Who have liver problems

Drug interactions

Certain medications can enhance budesonide levels in your bloodstream after using your inhaler, making it more likely that you will experience side effects. These medicines include: 

• Ketoconazole
• Voriconazole
• Itraconazole
• Telithromycin
• Clarithromycin 
• Ritonavir 
• Cobicistat 

Always inform your doctor of any other medications you are taking to ensure the combination is safe. This includes herbal supplements or remedies.

How to cope with Pulmicort side effects?

Pulmicort can leave a distinctive taste in your mouth if the medicine hits the back of your throat instead of going straight into your lungs. Rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth after using your inhaler to combat this. Always report troublesome side effects to your prescriber.

Pulmicort Turbohaler vs. other preventer inhalers

Pulmicort Turbohaler is a dry powder inhaler. This may make it easier to use than a metered-dose inhaler which releases medicine in the form of a mist or spray and requires the user to press down on the inhaler at the same time as taking a breath. Which form of inhaler you are prescribed will depend on the severity of your symptoms and which type of asthma you have.

Are Pulmicort and Qvar the same?

Pulmicort and Qvar are both preventer inhalers containing steroids. While they work similarly, Pulmicort contains budesonide as the active ingredient and delivers the medicine as a dry powder, whereas Qvar contains beclometasone dipropionate and delivers the medication as a fine spray or mist. Pulmicort only comes as a Turbohaler, whereas Qvar comes as a metered-dose inhaler, an Autohaler and an Easi-Breathe inhaler.

Are Pulmicort and Symbicort the same?

Pulmicort and Symbicort both contain the same ingredient, budesonide, and act as preventer inhalers for managing your asthma symptoms, however, Symbicort is a combination inhaler that contains both budesonide and formoterol. It may be prescribed for patients for which Pulmicort alone has not been efficient in managing asthma symptoms, or to treat worsening asthma or COPD.

Will Pulmicort treat an asthma attack?

Pulmicort cannot be used to treat an asthma attack. Therefore, you must always keep your blue reliever inhaler with you in case an asthma attack does occur. A Pulmicort inhaler is used only to prevent asthma attacks and keep symptoms under control, whereas your salbutamol reliever inhaler is used to treat and soothe symptoms when they come on and should be used to treat an asthma attack.

What does Pulmicort taste like?

When used correctly, Pulmicort should be inhaled directly into the lungs without leaving a taste in your mouth. If you experience an unpleasant taste after using your inhaler, this means the medicine has hit the back of your throat or mouth instead of going straight into your lungs. If this happens, rinse your mouth out with water to prevent oral thrush from developing.