DuoResp Spiromax (Budesonide And Formoterol Fumarate Dihydrate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is DuoResp Spiromax Used For?
DuoResp Spiromax is a combination inhaler that contains two active ingredients working together to treat breathing problems. It combines budesonide (a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation) with formoterol (a beta-2-agonist that opens airways).
Primary Uses
DuoResp Spiromax is used to treat asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). For asthma, it can be used as a reliever when symptoms occur, as a daily maintenance treatment, or both. For COPD (including chronic bronchitis and emphysema), it helps control symptoms like breathing difficulties, coughing, and increased sputum.
How It Works
Budesonide works directly on your airways to reduce inflammation and swelling, helping to improve your condition and prevent attacks. Formoterol opens up the airways to help you breathe more easily by relaxing the muscles around the airways.
Flexible Treatment: DuoResp Spiromax can be used in different ways – as a reliever when you need it, as daily maintenance therapy, or both, depending on your doctor’s prescription.
How to Take DuoResp Spiromax
DuoResp Spiromax comes with detailed instructions in each pack. The dosing depends on whether you’re using it for asthma or COPD, and how your doctor has prescribed it for your specific needs.
Dosage Instructions
For Asthma – As reliever only (200/6): Take 1 inhalation when symptoms occur, wait a few minutes. If no improvement, take another inhalation. Maximum 6 inhalations per occasion, 12 per day. For Asthma – Daily maintenance (200/6): Usually 2 inhalations per day (morning and evening, or both doses at once). For Asthma – Fixed dose (200/6): 1-2 inhalations twice daily. For Asthma – Fixed dose (400/12): 2 inhalations twice daily. For COPD: 2 inhalations of 200/6 twice daily OR 1 inhalation of 400/12 twice daily.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Important: Always rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after taking your daily doses to prevent thrush. Keep your reliever inhaler with you at all times.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Oral thrush (sore, yellowish patches in mouth)
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Headache
- Hoarse voice
- Mouth and tongue irritation
- Coughing
- Unpleasant taste
- Chest pain
- Thirst
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Weight gain
- Skin rash or bruising
- Anxiety, nervousness, restlessness
- Tiredness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Trembling or shakiness
- Muscle twitching or cramps
- Dizziness
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Signs of pneumonia (fever, chills, increased mucus, changed mucus color, increased cough, breathing difficulties)
- Allergic reactions (difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, severe rash)
- Mood changes
- Blurred vision or eye problems
Important Warnings
Before using DuoResp Spiromax, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor to ensure safe use.
Who Should Not Take DuoResp Spiromax
Do not use if you are allergic to formoterol, budesonide, or any ingredients in the medication. Children under 18 years should not use this medication.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have thyroid or adrenal gland problems, diabetes, heart problems, liver problems, tuberculosis, low potassium levels, or any current infections. This medication may hide signs of infection.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while using this medication.
Pneumonia Risk: Watch for signs of lung infection (pneumonia): fever, chills, increased mucus production, change in mucus color, increased cough, or breathing difficulties. Seek immediate medical attention if these occur.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with DuoResp Spiromax and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking.
- Beta-blockers for heart problems or high blood pressure
- Diuretics and antiarrhythmics (disopyramide, procainamide, quinidine)
- Tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors
- Phenothiazines for mood/mental disorders
- Antihistamines for allergies and cold symptoms
- Antifungal medications (ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole)
- Xanthine derivatives like theophylline
- Digoxin for heart failure
- HIV medications
- Parkinson’s disease medications (L-dopa)
- Thyroid medications (levothyroxine)
Alcohol & Driving
DuoResp Spiromax may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, especially when you first start using it.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned in the prescribing information, but consult your doctor about alcohol use while taking this medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how DuoResp Spiromax affects you. This medication may cause dizziness, blurred vision, light-headedness, tiredness, or drowsiness in some people when they first start using it.
Storage
Keep your Spiromax device dry and clean. Store in a cool, dry place where temperature stays below 25°C, with the cover firmly in place. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. Return to pharmacist when dose indicator reaches zero, if damaged, past expiry date, or if removed from foil wrapping for more than 12 months.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much DuoResp Spiromax, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine or have no symptoms of discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
When used as a reliever, you should wait a few minutes after the first inhalation to see if you feel better. For daily maintenance therapy, it works continuously to prevent symptoms when taken regularly as prescribed.
No, do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Continue using it for as long as your doctor tells you to, even if you’re feeling well. Your doctor may gradually reduce your dose if your condition has been well controlled.
Take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Yes, rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after taking your daily morning and/or evening doses. This helps prevent thrush (oral fungal infection). You don’t need to rinse if you’re only taking occasional doses for symptom relief.
Do not take any other medicines for your asthma or COPD without checking with your doctor first. Your doctor will tell you if you need additional reliever medications or other treatments.
For asthma relief with the 200/6 strength: no more than 6 inhalations on a single occasion or 12 inhalations total per day. For COPD or daily maintenance therapy, follow your prescribed dose exactly – typically 2 inhalations twice daily.
Keep it in a cool, dry place below 25°C with the cover firmly in place. Avoid storing in bathrooms, cars, or near windows. Keep the device dry and clean, and return it to your pharmacist when the dose counter reaches zero or after 12 months out of foil wrapping.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.