BECLOMETASONE/FORMOTEROL metered dose inhaler

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    Last updated: June 2023

     

    Prescription under medical supervision

     

    Therapeutic action

    • Combination of inhaled corticosteroid (beclometasone) and long-acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilator (formoterol)

    Indications

    • Long term treatment of chronic asthma (maintenance and symptomatic treatment)  

    Forms and strengths

    • Solution or suspension for inhalation in pressurised metered dose inhaler, delivering 100 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate (extrafine particles) and 6 micrograms of formoterol fumarate/puff

    Dosage 

    Start at the step most appropriate to initial severity. 

    • Child 12 years and over and adult:

     

    Asthma severity 100/6 micrograms per puff
    Intermittent asthma

    Only when symptomatic:

    1 puff
    Mild persistent asthma
    Moderate persistent asthma

    1 puff (low dose) 2 times daily

    and

    1 puff when symptomatic 
    Severe persistent asthma

    2 puffs (medium dose) 2 times daily

    and

    1 puff when symptomatic

     

    • In all cases, do not exceed 8 puffs/day

    Duration

    • As long as required. Re-evaluate after 2 to 3 months if doses are adequate or need to be increased or decreased.

    Administration technique

    • Shake the inhaler. Remove the mouthpiece cover.
    • Breathe in and breathe out as completely as possible. Place the lips tightly around the mouthpiece. Inhale deeply while activating the inhaler. Hold breath 10 seconds before exhaling.
    • Hand-breath co-ordination is very difficult in older patients and patients with severe dyspnoea. Use a spacer to facilitate administration and improve the efficacy of treatment.

    Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

    • Do not administer to patients with untreated respiratory infection.
    • May cause:
      • throat irritation, hoarseness and cough at the beginning of treatment; oro-pharyngeal candidiasis; adrenal suppression with high doses for prolonged periods;
      • headache, tremor and tachycardia, hyperglycaemia; hypokalaemia (after high doses).
    • Pregnancy: no contra-indication
    • Breast-feeding: no contra-indication

    Remarks

    • Relief of symptoms may require several days or weeks of continuous therapy. 
    • Clean the mouthpiece before and after each use.
    • Do not pierce or incinerate used aerosol containers (risk of explosion).
    • 100 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate extrafine particles is equivalent to 250 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate non-extrafine particles.
    • Beclometasone/formoterol may also be available as a dry powder inhaler. Doses are the same as for metered dose inhaler.
    • Manufacturers may express the content per inhaler actuation in "metered dose" or "delivered dose".

    Storage

    • Before use: between 2 ºC and 8 °C. Do not freeze.
    • After first use: below 25 ºC for 3 months maximum. 
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