INTRODUCTION ABOUT AEROCORT INHALER

AEROCORT INHALER is a combination of Beclomethasone and Levosalbutamol which belongs to the group of medicines called Anti-asthmatic drugs. It is used to treat and prevent asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It relieves wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness caused due to narrowing of airways.

Use AEROCORT INHALER every day until your doctor tells you to stop. It is meant for inhalation use only. Do not stop using this medicine once your symptoms subside without consulting your doctor. It is suitable for use both in adults and in children (aged 4 years or above).

AEROCORT INHALER should not be used to relieve a sudden asthma attack (such as sudden breathing problems). Instead contact your doctor or use a fast-acting ‘rescue’ inhaler to subside the symptoms.

Before using AEROCORT INHALER inform your doctor if you have any lung infections, liver problems, kidney problems or heart problems. You must also inform your doctor if you have diabetes, hypertension, fits, thyroid problems or currently taking or recently took any other steroid medication as a precaution.

AEROCORT INHALER should be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women only if it is considered necessary by the physician. The most common side effects of using AEROCORT INHALER are headache, cold, oral thrush or oral sores, throat irritation, hoarse voice, dizziness and fast heart rate. Contact your doctor if any of these side effect worsens.

USES OF AEROCORT INHALER

• Treats and prevents asthma and COPD
• Relieves wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness caused due to narrowing of airways

HOW AEROCORT INHALER WORKS

AEROCORT INHALER is a combination of two medicines namely, beclomethasone and levosalbutamol. Beclomethasone is an inhalation corticosteroid. It blocks the release of certain chemicals in the airways that cause inflammation and swelling.

Levosalbutamol is a bronchodilator. It relaxes the smooth muscles of the airways and widens them. Collectively, this medicine reduces airway inflammation, allows the air to pass through more freely through the airways and makes breathing easier.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Use AEROCORT INHALER every day until your doctor tells you to stop. It is meant for inhalation use only. Inhale the medicine only through your mouth into the lungs and not via nose.

Closely follow the instructions given by your doctor regarding the number of inhalations and dosing intervals.

• Prime the device by releasing 2-3 puffs in the air
• Place the mouthpiece of the device between your teeth and close your mouth tightly
• Breathe in slowly and deeply using your mouth through the mouthpiece while simultaneously pressing the top of the canister firmly to release a puff of medicine
• Remove the device from your mouth and hold your breath for about 10 seconds or for as long as is comfortable
• Repeat the same steps for further inhalations as well. Wait for about 30 seconds between each puff of medicine

Once inhalation is over, rinse your mouth with water and spit it out or brush your teeth.

Do not start using this medicine unless your doctor or health care provider has taught you how to use and you understand how to use it correctly.

SIDE EFFECTS OF AEROCORT INHALER

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Headache

Rest and relax. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Apply a pain-relieving balm on the head if required. Do not consume too much of alcohol. Consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve.

Sore Throat

Gargle your throat with salt water twice a day. Always try to drink warm water. Avoid chilled, cooled, or sweetened food items or beverages. Drinking turmeric milk or ginger tea mixed with honey and pepper powder can ease the soreness. Consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

PREGNANCY

Use with Caution

AEROCORT INHALER should be used with caution in pregnant women. Therefore, consult your doctor before using it.

BREASTFEEDING

Consult your doctor

It is not known whether AEROCORT INHALER can pass through breast milk or not. Therefore, it should not be used in breastfeeding women unless considered necessary by the physician.

DRIVING AND USING MACHINES

Safe

AEROCORT INHALER is unlikely to affect your ability for driving or using machineries. However, do not drive or handle any heavy tools or machines if your ability is affected by this medicine.

ALCOHOL

Contraindicated

Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with AEROCORT INHALER.

KIDNEY

Use with Caution

AEROCORT INHALER should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before using it.

LIVER

Use with Caution

AEROCORT INHALER should be used with caution in patients with liver problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before using it.

ALLERGY

Contraindicated

Do not use AEROCORT INHALER if you are allergic to levosalbutamol or beclomethasone dipropionate.

LUNGS

Use with Caution

AEROCORT INHALER should be used with caution in patients who were previously treated for tuberculosis. Therefore, consult your doctor before using it.

HEART DISEASE

Use with Caution

AEROCORT INHALER should be used with caution in patients with hypertension or any other heart diseases. Therefore, consult your doctor before using it.

USE IN PEDIATRICS

Monitoring required

AEROCORT INHALER can be used in children (aged 4 years or above) if prescribed by the physician. Therefore, consult your doctor before using it.

USE IN GERIATRICS

Use with Caution

AEROCORT INHALER should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years or above). Therefore, consult your doctor before using it.

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking AEROCORT INHALER, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• medicines used to treat HIV infection (such as ritonavir, cobicistat)
• other medicines used to treat asthma (such as theophylline, budesonide, salbutamol, salmeterol, betamethasone, formoterol etc.)
• medicines used to reduce edema by increasing urine output (such as furosemide, spironolactone)
• medicines used to treat depression (such as selegiline, phenelzine, amitriptyline, imipramine)
• medicines used to treat heart problems (such as propanolol, metoprolol, atenolol, digoxin, olmesartan, telmisartan etc.)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally took more AEROCORT INHALER, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of overdose include fits, chest pain, changes in blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, nervousness, headache, tremor, dry mouth,  nausea, dizziness, fatigue, tiredness, and sleeplessness.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep AEROCORT INHALER out of reach of children
• Store AEROCORT INHALER at room temperature

FAQs ABOUT AEROCORT INHALER

Q: How should I use AEROCORT INHALER?

A: Use AEROCORT INHALER as advised by your physician. It is for inhalation use only. Do not miss any dose of AEROCORT INHALER. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending on your age, body weight, and disease condition. Rinse your mouth with water after using AEROCORT INHALER to help reduce your chance of fungal infections.

Q: What is the use of AEROCORT INHALER?

A: AEROCORT INHALER is used to manage asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults and in children (aged 4 years or older). It relieves wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness caused by a narrowing of the airways.

Q: How does AEROCORT INHALER work?

A: AEROCORT INHALER relaxes the smooth muscles of the airways and widens them. It also reduces the inflammation of the airway tract. Therefore, it allows the air to pass through more freely and makes breathing easier.

Q: Is AEROCORT INHALER a steroid?

A: Yes. AEROCORT INHALER contains beclomethasone, which is an inhalation corticosteroid. It works by blocking the action of certain chemicals in the body that cause airway inflammation.

Q: Can AEROCORT INHALER be used for an asthma attack?

A: AEROCORT INHALER is only used to manage the symptoms of asthma and COPD (such as breathlessness or wheezing). If your asthma or breathing gets worse suddenly, contact your doctor immediately or go straight away. Meanwhile, you can use a fast-acting rescue inhaler along with this medicine.

Q: Is AEROCORT INHALER safe?

A: AEROCORT INHALER is considered safe at doses prescribed by the physician.

Q: What are the side effects of using AEROCORT INHALER?

A: The most common side effects of using AEROCORT INHALER are headache, cold, oral thrush or oral sores, throat irritation, hoarse voice, dizziness, and fast heart rate. Contact your doctor if any of these side effects worsen.

Q: Can I stop using AEROCORT INHALER once my symptoms subside?

A: No. Use AEROCORT INHALER every day until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop using this medicine abruptly or reduce the dose without consulting your doctor, as it could make your breathing even worse. Your doctor will access your disease condition regularly and will increase or decrease the dose accordingly.

Q: Will AEROCORT INHALER be more effective if taken at higher doses?

A: Do not take a higher dose of this medicine without consulting your doctor, as it could lead to unwanted side effects. If your symptoms are not relieved by the prescribed dose, consult your doctor so that he might adjust the dose according to your health condition or suggest an alternative therapy.

Q: Can I use AEROCORT INHALER during pregnancy?

A: AEROCORT INHALER should be used in pregnant women only if it is considered necessary by the physician. Your doctor will prescribe you AEROCORT INHALER after evaluating the risks and benefits of the therapy.

Q: Can AEROCORT INHALER be used with children?

A: AEROCORT INHALER is considered safe for use in children (aged 4 years or older). However, it is not recommended for use in children younger than 4 years due to a lack of safety data. Kindly consult your doctor before taking.

Q: What happens when you forget to use AEROCORT INHALER?

A: If you forget to use AEROCORT INHALER, use it as soon as you remember. However, if it's time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose. Do not use a double dose to compensate for the missed dose.

Q: What are the side effects caused by the long-term use of AEROCORT INHALER in children?

A: The long-term use of AEROCORT INHALER in children may cause a slowing of growth. To avoid this, your doctor carefully evaluates your child’s condition periodically and adjusts the dose of this medicine accordingly.

Q: Can I consume alcohol while taking AEROCORT INHALER?

A: Avoid the consumption of alcohol while taking AEROCORT INHALER, as it might increase the risk of adverse effects.

Q: What happens if I accidentally take more AEROCORT INHALER?

A: If you or anyone else accidentally took more AEROCORT INHALER, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of overdose include fits, chest pain, changes in blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, nervousness, headache, tremor, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, tiredness, and sleeplessness.

Q: Can I stop using AEROCORT INHALER?

A: No. Do not stop using AEROCORT INHALER without consulting your doctor. Otherwise, it may worsen your symptoms.

Q: Is AEROCORT INHALER safe to use in patients with heart problems?

A: AEROCORT INHALER should be used with caution in patients with hypertension or any other heart disease. Therefore, consult your doctor before using it.

REFERENCES

1. K.D. Tripathi Drugs for Cough and Bronchial Asthma. Essentials of Pharmacology. 7th Edition. Page – 230, 231.

2. Thomas C. Westfall and David P. Westfall. Levalbuterol. Adrenergic agonist and antagonists. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basics of Therapeutics. 12th Edition. 2011. Page – 291.

3. Henry Milgrom. Levosalbutamol in the treatment of asthma. NIH. National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PMC. PubMed Central. August 2006. [Accessed on 30th March 2023] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16872269/

4. R N Brogden, R M Pinder, P R Sawyer, T M Speight, G S Avery. Beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler: a review of its pharmacology, therapeutic value and adverse effects. I: Asthma. NIH. National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PMC. PubMed Central. 1975. [Accessed on 30th March 2023] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/172309/

5. Orion Pharma (UK) Limited. Easyhaler Beclometasone 200 micrograms/dose inhalation powder. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in March 2021] [Accessed on 30th March 2023] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.239.pdf

6. Beclovent. Beclomethasone Oral Solution. Medlineplus.gov. American Society of Health-system Pharmacists. [Revised in November 2015]. [Accessed on 30th March 2023] https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a681050.html

7. Xopenex. Levalbuterol Oral Solution. Medlineplus.gov. American Society of Health-system Pharmacists. [Revised in March 2016]. [Accessed on 30th March 2023] https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603025.html

8. Sun Pharmaceutical Medicare Limited. Levalbuterol Inhalation Solution. [Revised in April 2020]. [Accessed on 30th March 2023] https://sunpharma.com/usa/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/12/289-levalbuterol-inhalation-solution-pil-207820.pdf

9. Cipla Ltd. Aerocort Rotacaps (Beclomethasone Dipropionate + Levosalbutamol). Ciplamed.com. [Revised in March 2019]. [Accessed on 30th March 2023] https://ciplamed-library.com/content/aerocort-rotacaps

USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Absolute eosinophil count
• Complete blood count

AUTHOR DETAILS

Written By Srilekha. R, B.Pharm
Last updated on 26 Feb 2024 | 12:20 PM(IST)