OXIS(R) TURBUHALER(R)
Eformoterol fumarate dihydrate for inhalation.
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some of the common questions people ask about Oxis Turbuhaler. It does not contain all the information that is known about Oxis Turbuhaler.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have benefits and risks. Your doctor will have weighed the risks of you using Oxis Turbuhaler against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What Oxis Turbuhaler is for
Oxis Turbuhaler is used to open up the airways in people with asthma so that they can breathe more easily. It may also be used if you have difficulty breathing at night, or before exercise to keep your airways open if you start to wheeze or have difficulty breathing each time you exert yourself.
Oxis Turbuhaler can also be used when needed to treat your symptoms when your asthma control gets worse.
Your doctor will explain to you why you are being treated with Oxis Turbuhaler and tell you how many doses to take.
Your doctor should also tell you use a regular “preventer” medicine to help treat your asthma.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
Your doctor may prescribe this medicine for another use. Ask your doctor if you want more information.
Oxis Turbuhaler is not addictive
Before you use Oxis Turbuhaler
When you must not use it
Do not use Oxis Turbuhaler if you are pregnant or breast feeding unless your doctor says to do so. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits involved.
There is no evidence available at the moment to show that taking Oxis under your doctor`s instructions is harmful to unborn babies
We do not know if your baby can take in Oxis from breast milk if you are breast feeding.
Do not use after the use by (expiry) date printed on the pack.
It may have no effect at all, or worse, an entirely unexpected effect if you use it after the expiry date.
Do not use Oxis Turbuhaler if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Do not use it to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says it is safe.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else.
Before you start to use it
You must tell your doctor if:
If you have an allergic reaction, you may get a skin rash, hay fever or an asthma attack.
It may not be safe for you to take Oxis Turbuhaler if you have any of these conditions.
Taking other medicines
You must tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including
These medicines may be affected by Oxis Turbuhaler, or may affect how well it works.
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any other medicines.
If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell them before you take any Oxis.
Using Oxis Turbuhaler
How to use it
Each pack of Oxis Turbuhaler contains an instruction leaflet that tells you the correct way to use it. Please read this carefully.
Oxis Turbuhaler can be used regularly to prevent asthma attacks. Oxis Turbuhaler can also be used occasionally to treat your symptoms when your asthma control gets worse.
Your doctor will have prescribed Oxis Turbuhaler that will have 6 micrograms or 12 micrograms in each dose inhaled.
Regular use:
The normal dose is one inhalation taken two times a day. This can be either the 6 microgram or 12 microgram Oxis Turbuhaler. Some patients may need 2 inhaled doses twice a day.
Adults:
If you are using Oxis Turbuhaler 6 microgram do not inhale more than 8 doses in any 24-hour period. If you are using Oxis Turbuhaler 12 microgram do not inhale more than 4 doses in any 24-hour period.
Children 12 years and over
If you are using Oxis Turbuhaler 6 microgram do not inhale more than 4 doses in any 24-hour period. If you are using Oxis Turbuhaler 12 microgram do not inhale more than 2 doses in any 24-hour period.
As needed use:
Your doctor may tell you to use additional inhaled doses of Oxis Turbuhaler if your symptoms get worse.
Adults:
If you are using Oxis Turbuhaler 6 microgram do not inhale more than 12 doses in any 24-hour period. If you are using Oxis Turbuhaler 12 microgram do not inhale more than 6 doses in any 24 hour period.
Children
“As needed” use is not recommended in patients under the age of 18 years.
Follow your doctor`s directions carefully.
Do not give Oxis Turbuhaler to a child under 12 years, unless directed to by the child`s doctor or specialist.
Oxis Turbuhaler will start to work soon after you take it and will last for about 12 hours.
Things you must do
If you find that the usual dose of Oxis Turbuhaler is not giving as much relief as usual, please contact your doctor so that your condition can be checked.
This is most important to make sure that your breathing problem does not get out of control.
If you have an Asthma Management Plan that you have agreed with your doctor, follow it closely at all times.
Things you must not do
Do not drink too much alcohol while you are using Oxis Turbuhaler.
Do not use Oxis Turbuhaler to stop an acute asthma attack.
Your doctor will have given you a `reliever` medicine to use if this happens.
Do not stop taking any other medicines you have been given for your asthma, even if you are feeling better, without checking with your doctor first.
Oxis Turbuhaler is intended to be used with `preventer` medicines.
If you forget to take it
If you miss a dose of your regular treatment:
Take your dose as soon as you remember, as long as it is more than 6 hours before your next dose is due. If it is less than six hours, and if you feel you need a dose of Oxis Turbuhaler, take the next dose early.
Do not double the dose for regular treatment.
If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much
Telephone your doctor, the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) or go to casualty at your nearest hospital immediately if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Oxis Turbuhaler even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
If you take too much Oxis Turbuhaler you will probably have shaky hands (tremor), a headache, feel sick (nauseous), anxious, tense, restless, excited and be unable to sleep (insomnia). You might also have vomiting and a faster heartbeat.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Oxis Turbuhaler.
Oxis Turbuhaler helps most people with asthma, but it may have unwanted side-effects in a few people.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
These are all mild side effects of Oxis Turbuhaler.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
Some people may get other side effects while taking Oxis Turbuhaler.
After using it
Cleaning
The Turbuhaler must be wiped with a clean dry tissue and must never get wet.
Full instructions on the right way to use and clean Oxis Turbuhaler are inside each pack.
Storage
Keep your Oxis Turbuhaler in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30 degrees C, with the cover firmly in place.
Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Do not leave it in the car on hot days.
Disposal
Oxis Turbuhaler should be thrown away after 60 doses have been taken.
A red mark will appear in the window of the Turbuhaler to signal 60 doses have been taken.
Ask your pharmacist what to do with Oxis Turbuhaler if you still have one when your doctor tells you to stop taking it, or you find that the expiry date has passed.
Product description
Oxis Turbuhaler is a multidose, breath activated metered dose dry powder inhaler containing 60 doses of eformoterol fumarate dihydrate.
Turbuhaler is made up of plastic parts.
Ingredients
Oxis Turbuhaler contains eformoterol fumarate dihydrate as the active ingredient, plus lactose.