Document: Symbicort pressurised inhalation, suspension ENG PL change

• Symbicort pressurised inhalation, suspension PL
• Symbicort pressurised inhalation, suspension ENG PL

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Package leaflet – Information for the user

Symbicort 160 micrograms /4.5 micrograms/actuation pressurised inhalation, suspension

Budesonide/Formoterol fumarate dihydrate

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.

• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet:

Symbicort is an inhaler that is used to treat the symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in adults. COPD is a long-term disease of the airways in the lungs, which is often caused by cigarette smoking. Symbicort contains two different medicines: budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate.

• Budesonide belongs to a group of medicines called ‘corticosteroids’. It works by reducing and preventing swelling and inflammation in your lungs.

• Formoterol fumarate dihydrate belongs to a group of medicines called ‘long-acting beta2 adrenoceptor agonists’ or ‘bronchodilators’. It works by relaxing the muscles in your airways. This helps you to breathe more easily.

Do not use this medicine as a “reliever” inhaler.

Do not use Symbicort :

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Symbicort if:

• You are diabetic.

• You have a lung infection.

• You have high blood pressure or you have ever had a heart problem (including an uneven heart beat, a very fast pulse, narrowing of the arteries or heart failure).

• You have problems with your thyroid or adrenal glands.

• You have low levels of potassium in your blood.

• You have severe liver problems.

Children and adolescents

Symbicort is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years.

Other medicines and Symbicort

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• Beta-blocker medicines (such as atenolol or propranolol for high blood pressure), including eyedrops (such as timolol for glaucoma).

• Medicines for a fast or uneven heart beat (such as quinidine).

• Medicines like digoxin, often used to treat heart failure.

• Diuretics, also known as ‘water tablets’ (such as furosemide). These are used to treat high blood pressure.

• Steroid medicines that you take by mouth (such as prednisolone).

• Xanthine medicines (such as theophylline or aminophylline). These are often used to treat COPD or asthma.

• Other bronchodilators (such as salbutamol).

• Tricyclic anti-depressants (such as amitriptyline) and the anti-depressant nefazodone.

• Phenothiazine medicines (such as chlorpromazine and prochlorperazine).

• Medicines called ‘HIV-protease inhibitors’ (such as ritonavir) to treat HIV infection.

• Medicines to treat infections (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, clarithromycin and telithromycin).

• Medicines for Parkinson’s disease (such as leva-dopa).

• Medicines for thyroid problems (such as levo‑thyroxine).

If any of the above applies to you, or if you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Symbicort.

Also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are going to have a general anaesthetic for an operation or for dental work.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

• If you are pregnant, or planning to get pregnant, talk to your doctor before using Symbicort - do not use Symbicort unless your doctor tells you to.

• If you get pregnant while using Symbicort , do not stop using Symbicort but talk to your doctor immediately.

• If you are breast-feeding, talk to your doctor before using Symbicort.

Driving and using machines

Symbicort has no or negligible effect on your ability to drive or to use tools or machines.

• Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

• It is important to use Symbicort every day, even if you have no COPD symptoms at the time.

The usual dose is 2 inhalations twice a day. Symbicort is not recommended for children or adolescents under 18 years of age.

If you have been taking steroid tablets for your COPD, your doctor may reduce the number of tablets that you take, once you start to use Symbicort. If you have been taking oral steroid tablets for a long time, your doctor may want you to have blood tests from time to time. When reducing oral steroid tablets, you may feel generally unwell even though your chest symptoms may be improving. You might experience symptoms such as a stuffy or runny nose, weakness or joint or muscle pain and rash (eczema). If any of these symptoms bother you, or if symptoms such as headache, tiredness, nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (being sick) occur, please contact your doctor immediately. You may need to take other medication if you develop allergic or arthritic symptoms. You should speak to your doctor if you are concerned as to whether you should continue to use Symbicort.

Your doctor may consider adding steroid tablets to your usual treatment during periods of stress (for example, when you have a chest infection or before an operation).

Important information about your COPD symptoms

If you feel you are getting breathless or wheezy while using Symbicort, you should continue to use Symbicort but go to see your doctor as soon as possible, as you may need additional treatment.

Contact your doctor immediately if:

• Your breathing is getting worse or you often wake up at night feeling breathless.

• Your chest starts to feel tight in the morning or your chest tightness lasts longer than usual.

• These signs could mean that your COPD is not being properly controlled and you may need different or additional treatment immediately.

Your doctor may also prescribe other bronchodilator drugs, for example anticholinergics (such as tiotropium or ipratropium bromide) for your COPD disease.

Information about your Symbicort

• Before starting to use your Symbicort, remove it from the foil wrapper. Throw away the wrapper as well as the drying agent which is inside the wrapper. If the drying agent has leaked out of its packet, do not use the inhaler.

• After you have taken the inhaler out of its foil wrapper, you should use it within 3 months. Write the use by date (3 months from opening the wrapper) on the inhaler label to remind you when to stop using the inhaler.

• The parts of your inhaler are shown in the picture. The inhaler will already be assembled when you first receive it. Do not take it apart. If the canister becomes loose, put it back in the inhaler and keep using the inhaler.

Preparing your Symbicort

You need to prepare your inhaler for use in the following situations:

• If you have not used it for more than 7 days.

• If it has been dropped.

To prepare your inhaler for use, follow the instructions below:

How to take an inhalation

Each time you need to take an inhalation, follow the instructions below:

Caregivers should ensure that patients prescribed Symbicort use correct inhalation technique. The use with a spacer device has not been documented yet.

Cleaning your Symbicort

• Wipe the inside and outside of the mouthpiece at least once a week with a dry tissue.

• Do not use water or liquids and do not remove the canister from the inhaler.

How will I know when to replace my Symbicort?

• Each time you take an inhalation, or release a puff into the air, the arrow counts down towards zero (‘0’).

• When the arrow first enters the yellow area, this means that there are about 20 puffs left.

If you use more Symbicort than you should

If you use more Symbicort than you should, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice. The following effects may happen: trembling, headache or a rapid heartbeat.

If you forget to use Symbicort

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.

• Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop taking Symbicort

Before you stop taking Symbicort, you should talk to your doctor or your pharmacist. If you stop taking Symbicort the signs and symptoms of COPD may worsen.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

If either of the following happens to you, stop using Symbicort straightaway and talk to your doctor immediately:

Other possible side effects:

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• Palpitations (awareness of your heart beating), trembling or shaking. If these effects occur, they are usually mild and usually disappear as you continue to use Symbicort.

• Thrush (a fungal infection) in the mouth. This is less likely if you rinse your mouth out with water after using your Symbicort.

• Mild sore throat, coughing and a hoarse voice.

• Headache.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• Feeling restless, nervous or agitated.

• Disturbed sleep.

• Feeling dizzy.

• Nausea (feeling sick).

• Fast heart beat.

• Bruising of the skin.

• Muscle cramps.

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

• Rash, itching.

• Bronchospasm (tightening of the muscles in the airways which causes wheezing). If the wheezing comes on suddenly after using Symbicort stop using Symbicort and talk to your doctor immediately.

• Low levels of potassium in your blood.

• Uneven heart beat.

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)

• Depression.

• Changes in behaviour, especially in children.

• Chest pain or tightness in the chest (angina pectoris).

• An increase in the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood.

• Taste changes, such as an unpleasant taste in the mouth.

• Changes in your blood pressure.

Inhaled corticosteroids can affect the normal production of steroid hormones in your body, particularly if you use high doses for a long time. The effects include:

• changes in bone mineral density (thinning of the bones)

• cataract (clouding of the lens in the eye)

• glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)

• a slowing of the rate of growth of children and adolescents.

• an effect on the adrenal gland (a small gland next to the kidney).

These effects are much less likely to happen with inhaled corticosteroids than with corticosteroid tablets.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via [To be completed nationally]. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Symbicort

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label, carton and foil wrapper after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

• As with most inhaled medicines in pressurised canisters, the effect of this medicine may decrease when the canister is cold. For best results, this medicine should be at room temperature before use. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Protect from frost and direct sunlight.

• After you have taken the inhaler out of its foil wrapper, you should use it within 3 months. Write the use by date (3 months from opening the wrapper) on the inhaler label to remind you when to stop using the inhaler.

• Always replace the mouthpiece cover firmly and snap into position after using your inhaler.

• Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer required. This will help to protect the environment.

Warning: The canister contains a pressurised liquid. Do not expose to temperatures higher than 50°C. Do not pierce the canister. The canister should not be broken, punctured or burnt, even when it seems empty.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Symbicort contains

The active substances are budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate. Each puff (actuation) contains 160 micrograms of budesonide and 4.5 micrograms of formoterol fumarate dihydrate.

The other ingredients are apaflurane (HFA 227), povidone and macrogol. This is a CFC-free inhaler.

What Symbicort looks like and contents of the pack

Symbicort is an inhaler containing your medicine. The pressurised canister, with attached dose indicator, contains a white suspension for inhalation. The canister is fitted into a red plastic actuator with a white plastic mouthpiece and an integrated grey plastic dust cap. Each inhaler contains 120 puffs (actuations) after it has been prepared for use. Each inhaler is individually packed in a foil wrapper containing a drying agent.

Symbicort, 160 micrograms/4.5 micrograms/actuation pressurised inhalation, suspension (Budesonide/Formoterol fumarate dihydrate) is available in packs of one inhaler.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

[To be completed nationally]

This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the EEA under the following names:

Country		Trade name and strength
Austria	Symbicort 160 Mikrogramm /4,5 Mikrogramm/Inhalation Druckgasinhalation, Suspension
Belgium	Symbicort 160 microgram /4,5 microgram/inhalatie, aërosol, suspensie Symbicort 160 microgrammes /4,5 microgrammes/inhalation, suspension pour inhalation en flacon pressurisé Symbicort 160 Mikrogramm /4,5 Mikrogramm/Inhalation, Druckgasinhalation, Suspension
Bulgaria	Симбикорт 160 микрограма /4,5 микрограма/впръскване Суспензия под налягане за инхалация
Croatia	Symbicort 160 mikrograma /4,5 mikrograma po potisku, stlačeni inhalat, suspenzija
Cyprus	Symbicort 160 μικρογραμμάρια /4,5 μικρογραμμάρια/ψεκασμό
Czech Republic	Symbicort 160 mikrogramů /4,5 mikrogramů
Denmark	Symbicort 160 mikrogram /4.5 mikrogram/inhalation
Estonia	Symbicort
Finland	Symbicort 160 mikrog /4.5 mikrog/inhalaatio
France	Symbicort 200 micro grammes /6 micro grammes par inhalation
Germany	Symbicort 160 Mikrogramm /4,5 Mikrogramm pro Inhalation Druckgasinhalation, Suspension
Greece	Symbicort 160 μικρογραμμάρια /4,5 μικρογραμμάρια/ψεκασμό
Hungary	Symbicort 4,5 mikrogramm /160 mikrogramm túlnyomásos inhalációs szuszpenzió
Iceland	Symbicort 160 míkrógrömm /4,5 míkrógrömm/ inhalation
Ireland	Symbicort 200 micrograms /6 micrograms/inhalation
Italy	Symbicort 160 microgrammi /4,5 microgrammi/erogazione, sospensione pressurizzata per inalazione
Latvia	Symbicort 160 mikrogrami /4.5 mikrogrami/ inhalācijā, izsmidzinājumā, aerosols inhalācijām zem spiediena
Lithuania	Symbicort 160 mikrogramo /4,5 mikrogramo/išpurškime suslėgtoji įkvepiamoji suspensija
Luxembourg	Symbicort 160 microgrammes /4,5 microgrammes/inhalation, suspension pour inhalation en flacon pressurisé
Malta	Symbicort 200 micrograms /6 micrograms/inhalation
Netherlands	Symbicort 200/6, 200 microgram /6 microgram/inhalatie
Norway	Symbicort 160 mikrogram /4.5 mikrogram/ inhalasjon
Poland	Symbicort
Portugal	Symbicort 160 microgramas /4,5 microgramas/inalação Suspensão pressurizada para inalação
Romania	Symbicort 160 micrograme /4.5 micrograme/inhalaţie, suspensie de inhalat presurizată
Slovakia	Symbicort 160 mikrogamov /4,5 mikrogamov/inhalačná dávka
Slovenia	Symbicort 160 mikrogramov /4,5 mikrograma na vdih, inhalacijska suspenzija pod tlakom
Spain	Symbicort 160 microgramos /4,5 microgramos/inhalación suspensión para inhalación en envase a presión
Sweden	Symbicort 160 mikrogram /4.5 mikrogram/inhalation
United Kingdom	Symbicort 200 micrograms/6 micrograms per actuation pressurised inhalation, suspension

This leaflet was last revised in 2016-03-03