BECOTIDE™ and BECLOFORTE™ INHALER
Beclomethasone dipropionate, 50, 100 and 250mcg per actuation
Please read the leaflet carefully before you take your medicine
What is the name of my medicine?
The name of your medicine is Becotide/Becloforte inhaler.
The medicine in your Becotide/ Becloforte inhaler is called beclomethasone dipropionate.
This is one of a group of medicines known as corticosteroids, frequently called "steroids". They are not "anabolic steroids" which are the steroids sometimes misused by athletes.
How does my Becotide/Becloforte Inhaler work?
Your Becotide/Becloforte inhaler delivers a measured amount of steroid for you to breathe into your lungs. By using your inhaler regularly every day, the medicine reduces the swelling and irritation in the walls of the small air passages in your lungs. It is often called a 'preventer' inhaler. It does not give immediate relief from an asthma attack and may take 1 - 4 weeks to have full effect. Your Becotide/Becloforte inhaler helps to ease breathing problems and prevent attacks of asthma.
You may also be using a 'reliever inhaler'. Keep using it according to your doctor's advice.
Before you use your Inhaler
Be sure to tell your doctor the names of any other medicines you are already taking.
If you are taking other steroids by mouth or inhalation, tell your doctor.
If you are already on steroid tablets you should carry a warning card about needing extra oral steroids during periods of stress. Discuss this with your doctor.
If you have had to stop taking other asthma medicines, tell your doctor.
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to beclomethasone or any of the ingredients listed in the leaflet.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may be mild or severe. They usually include some or all of the following: wheezing, swelling of the lips/ mouth, difficulty breathing, hayfever, lumpy rash (hives) or fainting.
- If you are allergic to any medicine, tell your doctor.
- If you have TB (pulmonary tuberculosis) or other chronic lung infection, tell your doctor.
What if I am pregnant or breast feeding?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Your doctor will tell you if you should take this medicine.
It is important that asthma is managed well during pregnancy and you should not stop your medicine without asking your doctor.
How do I use my Inhaler?
You will find instructions on how to use your inhaler in the pack. Follow the instructions carefully.
The pharmacist's label will usually tell you how many puffs to take and how often to use your Becotide/Becloforte inhaler. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
You should visit your doctor or pharmacist regularly to check that you are using your inhaler in the right way. If you are not breathing the medicine in correctly, the medicine may not be helping you as much as it could.
If you find it difficult to breathe in and press your inhaler at the same time, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. It may be better for you to use something called a Volumatic™ with your Becotide/Becloforte inhaler. Your doctor or pharmacist will explain to you what this is and how to use it.
You must use your Becotide/Becloforte inhaler every day. Do not stop using it even if you feel better unless your doctor tells you.
Do not use your Becotide/ Becloforte inhaler to treat a sudden attack of breathlessness. You will need a different kind of medicine called a 'reliever' which your doctor will have told you to take.
What should I do if my chest condition gets worse?
If your chest condition gets worse, tell your doctor.
Your doctor may tell you to take extra puffs of your inhaler or add another medicine (such as a 'reliever inhaler') to your treatment.
If your breathing suddenly becomes more difficult just after you have used your inhaler, tell your doctor immediately.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if
- your 'reliever inhaler' does not help your breathing as much as usual
- the effect of your 'reliever inhaler' does not last as long as usual
- you need more puffs of your 'reliever inhaler' than usual to get relief.
Side-Effects
Like other medicines, your medicine may cause some side-effects. Most of the side-effects will be minor and temporary, but some may be serious. Your doctor will be able to answer any questions you may have.
Occasionally some people may get:
- a sore throat or tongue. This may be due to 'thrush' (candida infection)
- hoarseness or throat irritation
For these, it may be helpful to rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after using your inhaler. Your doctor may prescribe treatment for the 'thrush' in your mouth while you continue to use your Becotide/Becloforte inhaler.
- Shortness of breath/wheezing
If you are taking high doses of steroids for a long time, this could affect the adrenal glands, which make the body's own steroid. Your doctor may do tests to check how the adrenal glands are working. Your doctor will be able to answer any questions you may have. It is important that:
- treatment with Becotide/Becloforte inhaler should not be stopped abruptly
- all doctors treating you are aware that you are on inhaled steroids. If your body is stressed by, for example, severe infection, surgical operation, an accident etc, you may need steroid tablets or injections for a time.
If you feel unwell in any other way or have any symptoms that you do not understand, you should ask your doctor immediately.
What if I take too many puffs of my Inhaler (overdose)
You should not take more than the number of puffs you have been told to take. However, if you accidentally take a larger dose than you have been told to, you should tell your doctor.
As with any medicine, in the event of an overdose, you should contact your nearest hospital emergency department without delay, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
If you are not sure what to do, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Storage
Keep your inhaler in a place where children cannot reach it.
Keep your inhaler away from frost. Do not put it in the refrigerator.
Keep your inhaler away from bright sunlight.
Keep your inhaler away from heat (store below 30°C). Do not leave it in the car on hot days.
In very cold places, your inhaler may become very cold which may stop it from working properly. To warm it, pull out the metal can from its plastic holder and warm it in your hand for a few minutes. Do not warm the can in any other way. Push the can firmly back into its holder before using.
WARNING: The metal can is pressurised. Do not burn it or puncture it, even when it is empty.
You will find an expiry (or use by) date printed on the manufacturer's label on the metal can and on the cardboard box. Do not use your inhaler after this date.
What should I do if I miss a dose of my Inhaler?
You must use your Becotide/Becloforte inhaler every day. If you forget to take a dose, do not worry. Just take the next dose when it is due.
Can I let someone else use my Inhaler?
Your inhaler is only for you. Do not give this medicine to someone else.
Are there different types of asthma inhalers?
Yes. Becotide/Becloforte inhaler is called a 'preventer' inhaler. There are other types of inhalers that relieve your breathing problems when you are wheezing or your chest is tight. These inhalers are called 'reliever inhalers'. Your doctor may tell you to use a 'reliever inhaler' in addition to your Becotide/Becloforte inhaler.
Is there anything else I should know about my Inhaler?
Glaxo Wellcome inhalers are designed to give out a metered dose of medication until they are empty.
You can estimate the number of doses left in your inhaler by shaking the inhaler, calculating approximately the number of doses that have been used or keeping a record of the number of doses you have used up. On average, Glaxo Wellcome includes 10% more active doses in each inhaler than is specified on the label.
Floating the inhaler in water to estimate the amount of doses left in the inhaler is not recommended. Water may enter the valve in the inhaler, which may affect the accuracy of later doses. The humidity from the water may also encourage bacteria to grow in the valve.
You should always carry a spare inhaler.
You can recycle the plastic holder and cap of your inhaler with other plastic things.
If you have any other questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Ingredients
Each puff of Becotide/Becloforte inhaler contains either 50, 100 or 250 micrograms of beclomethasone dipropionate.
Your inhaler also contains dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane and oleic acid.
