About Foracort 200 Rotacap
Foracort 200 Rotacap contains Formoterol 6 mcg + Budesonide 200 mcg. This combination is an inhaled medicine for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Budesonide is a steroid that calms swelling in the airways and formoterol is a long-acting medicine that relaxes the airway muscles. It is used regularly to keep symptoms under control.
Uses of Foracort 200 Rotacap
- Asthma (regular control)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Benefits
In asthma
Used regularly, it reduces airway swelling and keeps the airways open, which means fewer symptoms and fewer asthma attacks.
In COPD
It helps ease breathlessness and can reduce flare-ups when used every day as prescribed.
Side effects
Most side effects are mild and settle as your body gets used to the medicine. Talk to your doctor if any of them bother you or do not go away.
Common
- Sore throat or hoarse voice
- Thrush (white patches) in the mouth
- Headache
- Shaking (tremor)
- Fast heartbeat
- Cough
Get medical help if you notice
- Sudden wheezing or tightness of the chest straight after using it — use your reliever inhaler and get medical help straight away
- Chest pain or a very fast or irregular heartbeat — get medical help
- Fever, cough with coloured phlegm or worsening breathing in COPD (possible chest infection) — contact your doctor
- Blurred vision or other vision changes — tell your doctor
- Allergic reaction: rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
How to use
Use it exactly as your doctor prescribed. For the inhaler: shake it, breathe out fully away from the mouthpiece, seal your lips around it, press once as you start to breathe in slowly and deeply, then hold your breath for about 10 seconds. For capsules: place one capsule in the inhaler device, pierce or open it as instructed, and breathe in quickly and deeply through the device; do not swallow the capsule. Rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after each use.
How it works
Budesonide reduces swelling and irritation in the airways. Formoterol relaxes the muscles around the airways for about 12 hours, making it easier to breathe.
Safety advice
Alcohol Safe
No interaction is known.
Pregnancy Caution
Inhaled budesonide is often used in pregnancy because uncontrolled asthma can harm mother and baby. Use only as your doctor advises.
Breastfeeding Caution
Small amounts may pass into breast milk. Ask your doctor; it is often continued.
Driving Safe
It is not expected to affect driving.
Kidney Consult your doctor
Limited information is available. Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.
Liver Caution
Tell your doctor if you have severe liver disease, as more of the steroid may reach the body.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take a double dose.
Quick tips
- Rinse your mouth and spit after each use to prevent thrush and hoarseness.
- Use it every day as prescribed, even when you feel well.
- Keep your reliever inhaler with you, unless your doctor has told you to use this one as your reliever too.
- Do not stop it suddenly; talk to your doctor first.
- Ask your pharmacist to check your inhaler technique.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Same salts, other strengths or forms
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Corticosteroid (budesonide); beta-2 agonist (formoterol)
- Therapeutic class
- Respiratory
- Action class
- Inhaled corticosteroid + long-acting beta-2 agonist (ICS/LABA)
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Beta-blockers, including some eye drops | Can reduce the effect of formoterol and may cause wheezing |
| Ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir | Raise budesonide levels and the risk of steroid side effects |
| Water pills, steroid tablets, theophylline | Higher risk of low potassium |
| Medicines that affect heart rhythm | Higher risk of heart rhythm problems |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Budesonide and formoterol inhaler prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); NICE BNF: budesonide with formoterol). Pharmacist review pending.