SYMBICORT(R) TURBUHALER(R) - Discount Pharmacy Australia

SYMBICORT(R)TURBUHALER(R)Budesonide and eformoterol fumarate dihydrate powder for inhalationConsumer Medicine InformationWhat is in this leaflet?This leaflet answers some commonquestions people ask aboutSymbicort Turbuhaler. It does notcontain all the information that isknown about Symbicort Turbuhaler.It does not take the place of talkingto your doctor or pharmacist.All medicines have benefits andrisks. Your doctor will haveweighed the risks of you usingSymbicort Turbuhaler against thebenefits they expect it will have foryou.If you have any concerns aboutusing this medicine, ask yourdoctor or pharmacist.Keep this leaflet with yourSymbicort Turbuhaler.You may need to read it again.What SymbicortTurbuhaler is used for?Symbicort Turbuhaler is inhaled intothe lungs for the treatment of asthma.Asthma is a disease where theairways of the lungs become narrowand inflamed (swollen), making itdifficult to breathe. This may be dueto an allergy to house dust mites,smoke, air pollution or other thingsthat irritate your lungs.Symbicort Turbuhaler containsbudesonide and eformoterol in oneinhaler. Your doctor may havepreviously prescribed youPulmicort(R) Turbuhaler or Oxis(R)Turbuhaler for your asthma.Budesonide is the main ingredient inPulmicort Turbuhaler, andeformoterol is the main ingredient inOxis Turbuhaler.Budesonide belongs to a family ofmedicines called corticosteroids.Budesonide acts directly on yourairways to reduce inflammation.This helps to improve your conditionand to prevent asthma attacks fromoccurring. It is a preventer and needsto be taken regularly.Eformoterol belongs to a familycalled beta-2-agonists. Eformoterolopens up the airways to help youbreathe more easily. It should betaken regularly to help control yoursymptoms.Using Symbicort Turbuhalerregularly will help prevent asthmaattacks and make it easier to breathenormally. It is not used to treat anasthma attack.Your doctor will have explained toyou why you are being treated withSymbicort Turbuhaler and how manydoses you should take.Follow all directions given to youby your doctor carefully.They may differ from theinformation contained in this leaflet.Ask your doctor if you have anyquestions about why SymbicortTurbuhaler has been prescribed foryou.Symbicort Turbuhaler is notaddictive.This medicine is available only witha doctor's prescription.Before you useSymbicort TurbuhalerWhen you must not use itDo not use Symbicort Turbuhalerto treat an asthma attack.Do not use Symbicort Turbuhalerif you are breastfeeding unlessyour doctor says so.Ask your doctor about the benefitsand risks involved.Do not give Symbicort Turbuhalerto a child under 12 years, unlessdirected to by the child's doctor.Symbicort Turbuhaler is notrecommended for use in childrenunder 12 years.Do not use Symbicort Turbuhalerafter the expiry date (EXP) printedon the pack.It may have no effect at all, or anentirely unexpected effect if you useit after the expiry dateDo not use Symbicort Turbuhalerif the packaging is torn or showssigns of tampering.Do not use it to treat any othercomplaints unless your doctor saysso.Do not give this medicine toanyone else.SYMBICORT(R) TURBUHALER(R) 1

Before you start to use itYou must tell your doctor orpharmacist if:1. You have an allergy to anyingredient listed at the end ofthis leafletSome of the symptoms of anallergic reaction may include:* skin rash* shortness of breath* wheezing or difficultybreathing2. You currently have aninfection.If you take Symbicort Turbuhalerwhile you have an infection, themedicine may hide some of thesigns of an infection. This maymake you think, mistakenly, thatyou are better or that it is notserious.3. You have, or have had, any ofthese medical conditions:* thyroid problems* diabetes* heart problems* liver problems* tuberculosis (TB)It may not be safe for you to takeSymbicort Turbuhaler if youhave, or have had, any of theseconditions.4. You are pregnant or intend tobecome pregnant.Your doctor will discuss thepossible risks and benefits ofusing Symbicort Turbuhalerduring pregnancy.If you have not told your doctor orpharmacist about any of the above,tell them before you start usingSymbicort Turbuhaler.Taking other medicinesTell your doctor or pharmacist ifyou are using any other medicines,including any that you buy withouta prescription from yourpharmacy, supermarket or healthfood shop.Tell your doctor if you are takingany other medicines, including* medicines used to treat heartproblems or high blood pressure* medicines used to treat glaucoma* medicines used to treatdepression or other mooddisorders* medicines used to treat hayfever,coughs, colds and runny nose* fluid tablets (diuretics)* medicines for Parkinson's disease* medicines for thyroid problems* medicines used to treat fungalinfectionsThese medicines may be affected bySymbicort Turbuhaler, or may affecthow well it works. You may needdifferent amounts of your medicine,or you may need to use differentmedicines. Your doctor orpharmacist will advise you.Your doctor and pharmacist mayhave more information on medicinesto be careful with or avoid whileusing Symbicort Turbuhaler.If you have not told you doctorabout any of these things, tell thembefore you take any Symbicort.How to use SymbicortTurbuhalerHow to use your TurbuhalerEach pack of Symbicort Turbuhalercontains an instruction leaflet thattells you the correct way to use it.Please read this carefully.If you are not sure how to use theTurbuhaler, ask your doctor orpharmacist to show you how.It is best to use SymbicortTurbuhaler at the same time everyday.How much to takeAdults and children 12 years andoverThe usual dose is 1 - 2 inhalationstwice a day for Symbicort Turbuhaler100/6 and Symbicort Turbuhaler200/6.Do not take more than 4 doses aday, when using SymbicortTurbuhaler 100/6 or 200/6.Adults 18 years and overThe usual dose of SymbicortTurbuhaler 400/12 is 2 inhalationstwice a day. Your doctor may alsotell you to take 1 inhalation twice aday, particularly if your asthma hasbeen under control.Do not take more than 2 dosestwice a day of SymbicortTurbuhaler 400/12.Your doctor should give you apersonal Asthma Action plan to helpmanage your asthma. This plan willinclude medicines to take regularlyto control your asthma eg SymbicortTurbuhaler, as well as "reliever"medicines to use when you havesudden attacks of breathlessness egBricanyl (terbutaline) Turbuhaler.You must remember that it isimportant NOT to use SymbicortTurbuhaler to relieve an asthmaattack.If you experience the symptomsassociated with an asthma attack youMUST use a 'reliever' in the normalway.If your asthma has been undercontrol for some time, your doctormay tell you to take less inhalationsof Symbicort Turbuhaler or prescribeyou a lower strength of SymbicortTurbuhaler.If you are using more inhalationsof your reliever medicine or youare wheezing or breathless morethan usual tell your doctor as yourasthma may be getting worse.If your asthma gets worse, yourdoctor may tell you to use moreinhalations of your SymbicortTurbuhaler or prescribe you a higherstrength of Symbicort Turbuhaler orother asthma medicines (egPulmicort and Oxis Turbuhalers).Always take the dose that yourdoctor tells you to.SYMBICORT(R) TURBUHALER(R) 2

If you forget to use itIf you miss a dose of SymbicortTurbuhaler, take your dose as soonas you remember.Do not use a double dose to makeup for the dose that you missed.This may increase the chance of yougetting an unwanted side effect.If you are not sure what to do, askyour doctor or pharmacist.If you have trouble remembering touse your medicine, ask yourpharmacist for some hints.How long to use itUse Symbicort Turbuhaler everyday even if you feel well.Symbicort Turbuhaler helps controlyour asthma, but does not cure it.Keep using it for as long as yourdoctor tells you to.Do not stop using it unless yourdoctor tells you to.If you take too much(overdose)Telephone your doctor, pharmacistor the Poisons Information Centre(telephone 13 11 26), or go toAccident and Emergency at yournearest hospital, if you think thatyou or anyone else may have usedtoo much Symbicort Turbuhaler.Do this even if there are no signs ofdiscomfort or poisoning.You may need urgent medicalattention.If you use too much SymbicortTurbuhaler, you may feel sick orvomit, have a fast or irregularheartbeat, a headache, tremble, feelshaky, agitated, anxious, tense,restless, excited or be unable to sleep.While you are usingSymbicort TurbuhalerThings you must doIf you have an Asthma Action Planthat you have agreed with yourdoctor, follow it closely at all times.Keep using Symbicort Turbuhalerfor as long as your doctor tells youto, even if you are feeling well.See your doctor regularly to makesure that your asthma is notgetting worse.Your doctor may change your doseof Symbicort Turbuhaler (up ordown) depending on your condition.Have your 'rescue' medicineavailable at all times.After every time you useSymbicort Turbuhaler, rinse yourmouth out with water and spit thisout.If you don't you are more likely todevelop thrush in your mouth.Tell any other doctors, dentists,and pharmacists who are treatingyou that you are using SymbicortTurbuhaler.If you become pregnant whileusing Symbicort Turbuhaler, tellyour doctor.Things you must not doDo not take any other medicinesfor your asthma without checkingwith your doctor.Do not give Symbicort Turbuhalerto anyone else, even if they havethe same condition as you.Do not use Symbicort Turbuhalerto treat any other complaintsunless your doctor tells you to.Do not stop using SymbicortTurbuhaler without checking withyour doctor.Do not use Symbicort Turbuhalerto relieve asthma attacks.If you become wheezy or tight in thechest before your next dose ofSymbicort Turbuhaler is due, use a'reliever' in the normal way.Things to be careful ofMake sure you know how you reactto Symbicort Turbuhaler beforeyou drive a car, operatemachinery, or do anything elsethat could be dangerous.Symbicort Turbuhaler may causedizziness, light-headedness, tirednessor drowsiness in some people whenthey first start using it.Be careful if you drink alcohol.Dizziness or light-headedness may beworse while you are using SymbicortTurbuhaler.Side effectsTell your doctor or pharmacist assoon as possible if you do not feelwell while you are using SymbicortTurbuhaler.All medicines can have side effects.Sometimes they are serious, most ofthe time they are not. You may needmedical treatment if you get some ofthe side effects.Ask your doctor or pharmacist toanswer any questions you mayhave.If you get any side effects, do notstop using Symbicort Turbuhalerwithout first talking to your doctoror pharmacist.Tell your doctor or pharmacist ifyou notice any of the following andthey worry you:* sore, yellowish, raised patches inthe mouth (thrush)* hoarse voice* irritation of the tongue andmouth* coughingThese are less likely to happen if yourinse your mouth out after every timeyou use Symbicort Turbuhaler.* trembling or shakiness* feeling anxious, nervous, restlessor upset* fast or irregular heart rate orpounding heartSYMBICORT(R) TURBUHALER(R) 3

* chest pain* headache* feeling light-headed or dizzy* thirsty* unpleasant taste in your mouth* nausea (feeling sick)* diarrhoea* difficulty sleeping* muscle twitching or cramps* skin rash* tiredness* weight gain* skin bruisingThese side effects are usually mild.Tell your doctor or pharmacistimmediately if you notice any ofthe following:* difficulty breathing or worseningof your breathing problems* swelling or severe rash* mood changesThese may be serious side effects.You may need urgent medicalattention. Serious side effects arerare.Other side effects not listed abovemay occur in some patients. Tellyour doctor or pharmacist if younotice anything else that is makingyou feel unwell.Do not be alarmed by this list ofpossible side effects.You may not experience any of them.After using SymbicortTurbuhalerCleaningThe Turbuhaler must be wipedwith a clean dry tissue and mustnever get wet.Full instructions on the right way touse and clean Symbicort Turbuhalerare inside each pack.StorageKeep your Turbuhaler in a cooldry place where the temperaturestays below 30 degrees C, with thecover firmly in place.Do not store SymbicortTurbuhaler or any other medicinein the bathroom or near a sink.Do not leave it in the car on hotdays or on a window sill.Heat and dampness can destroy somemedicines.Keep it where young childrencannot reach it.A locked cupboard at leastone-and-a-half metres above theground is a good place to storemedicines.DisposalSymbicort Turbuhaler should bethrown away after you have takenthe number of doses indicated onthe pack.If your doctor or pharmacist tellsyou to stop using SymbicortTurbuhaler or it has passed itsexpiry date, ask your pharmacistwhat to do with any you have left.Product descriptionWhat it looks likeSymbicort Turbuhaler is a plasticinhaler containing the medication asa dry powder.Symbicort Turbuhaler 100/6 and200/6 are available in pack sizes of60 or 120 doses.Symbicort Turbuhaler 400/12contains 60 doses and is available inpacks of 1 or 2 Turbuhalers.IngredientsSymbicort Turbuhaler containsbudesonide and eformoterol fumaratedihydrate as the active ingredients,plus lactose.The amount of lactose contained inSymbicort Turbuhaler is very smalland does not normally causeproblems in lactose intolerant people.Symbicort Turbuhaler does notcontain sucrose, gluten, tartrazine orany other azo dyes.ManufacturerAstraZeneca Pty LtdABN 54 009 682311Alma RoadNORTH RYDE NSW 2113This leaflet was prepared in April2004Australian Registration NumberSymbicort Turbuhaler100/6 80875200/6 80876400/12 80877(R)Symbicort, Pulmicort, Oxis,Bricanyl and Turbuhaler aretrademarks of the AstraZeneca groupof companies.SYMBICORT(R) TURBUHALER(R) 4