Pulmicort 200mcg Turbuhaler (Budesonide)

General Information about Pulmicort

What is Pulmicort Turbuhaler?

Your Pulmicort Turbuhaler is both an asthma medication and a delivery system that is used by adults and children 6 years of age and older.

Pulmicort Turbuhaler is an inhaled corticosteroid. The medication in your Pulmicort Turbuhaler works to reduce and prevent inflammation in your airways and helps manage your asthma symptoms when used regularly.

The actual device for the medication is called a Turbuhaler. Pulmicort Turbuhaler is a simple-to-use delivery system that is inhalation driven.

"Inhalation driven" means that when you breathe in through your Pulmicort Turbuhaler, your medication is delivered to your lungs. Unlike aerosol inhalers, no propellants, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), are necessary to deliver your medication.

Side Effects

Common side effects include

• respiratory infection
• headache
• oral candidiasis (thrush in the mouth)
• pharyngitis (sore throat)
• voice alteration (hoarseness)
• sinusitis

Caution

If you are switching to Pulmicort Turbuhaler from an oral corticosteroid, carefully follow your doctor's/health care provider's instructions regarding the use of your corticosteroid to avoid serious health risks associated with stopping the use of oral corticosteroids.

What is the medication in Pulmicort Turbuhaler?

The medication in Pulmicort Turbuhaler is called budesonide, a synthetic corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are natural substances found in the body that help fight inflammation. Corticosteroids are used to treat asthma because they reduce swelling and irritation in the walls of the small air passages and ease breathing problems. When inhaled regularly, corticosteroids also help prevent asthma attacks.

How does the medication in Pulmicort Turbuhaler reach my lungs?

Pulmicort Turbuhaler uses the airflow created by your breath when you inhale. Simply by taking a deep and forceful breath, you get the medication into your lungs.

Pulmicort Turbuhaler is not a bronchodilator and is not intended to treat acute asthma attacks.

Improvement of your condition after using Pulmicort Turbuhaler can occur within 24 hours. It may, however, take 1 to 2 weeks or longer before you feel maximum benefit, so it is very important that you use your Pulmicort Turbuhaler regularly and as directed by your doctor/health care provider. Do not stop treatment unless told to do so by your doctor/health care provider. Call your doctor/health care provider if your symptoms do not improve or your condition worsens.

Should I keep using my Pulmicort Turbuhaler even when I feel better?

Yes, it is important to use Pulmicort Turbuhaler every day even if you feel better because it treats the chronic, underlying part of your asthma. This is the inflammation--the "quiet part" of asthma that you may not hear, see, or feel. When it is left untreated, it can worsen. Your lungs can become more inflamed and your asthma symptoms and attacks can increase. When you use Pulmicort Turbuhaler every day, it works to reduce and prevent your asthma symptoms and flare-ups.

You should keep using your Pulmicort Turbuhaler as instructed unless your doctor/health care provider tells you otherwise. Only your doctor/health care provider should instruct you to stop taking your medication.

Can I use my Pulmicort Turbuhaler to stop an acute asthma attack?

No. Pulmicort Turbuhaler is not a reliever medication and should not be used to treat an acute asthma attack. You need to take your reliever medication (bronchodilator) as prescribed by your doctor/health care provider. If your attack is not relieved or gets worse, contact your doctor/health care provider immediately.

Pulmicort Turbuhaler is not a bronchodilator and is not intended to treat acute asthma attacks.