Description
Same active ingredient (budesonide/formoterol) as Symbicort®, the US brand. Foracort Respules 0.5 mg is an Indian brand, made and licensed in India. Compare all Generic Symbicort (Budesonide/Formoterol) options.
About Foracort Respules 0.5 mg
Foracort Respules 0.5 mg are prescription single-dose nebulizer ampoules containing budesonide 0.5 mg and formoterol fumarate 20 mcg in 2 mL of suspension, made by Cipla Limited, used for maintenance treatment of asthma and COPD in people who need a nebulizer. A nebulizer machine turns the liquid into a fine mist that is breathed in through a mouthpiece or mask over several minutes. This combined respule is not marketed in the US, where nebulized budesonide and nebulized formoterol are available only as separate products.
How does it work?
Budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid, reduces inflammation and swelling inside the airways, lowering the chance of flare-ups. Formoterol, a long-acting beta-2 agonist, relaxes tight airway muscles within minutes and keeps breathing easier for about 12 hours. Because both reach the lungs in one nebulization, the treatment needs no hand-breath coordination and no forceful inhalation.
Who is a nebulizer suitable for?
Nebulized treatment is mainly used by adults who cannot use handheld inhalers well: older people, those with arthritis or weak hands, people with severe COPD who cannot inhale strongly enough for a dry powder device, and patients recovering after a hospital stay. It is not usually faster or more effective than a well-used inhaler with a spacer. Formoterol respules are generally reserved for adults; younger children are usually given budesonide alone, such as Budecort Respules 0.5 mg, if a specialist recommends it.
How to use Foracort Respules 0.5 mg
- Wash your hands and assemble a jet (compressor) nebulizer. Ultrasonic nebulizers do not deliver budesonide suspension reliably.
- Detach one respule from the strip, swirl it gently to mix the suspension, and twist off the top.
- Squeeze the whole contents into the nebulizer cup.
- Sit upright and breathe calmly through the mouthpiece, or a well-fitting mask, until the mist stops, usually 5 to 10 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth afterward, and wash your face if you used a mask.
- Rinse the cup, let it air-dry, and clean the kit as its instructions say.
The usual dose is one respule twice daily, about 12 hours apart. Each respule contains 20 mcg of formoterol, so two respules in 24 hours is the maximum. Do not add extra doses when you feel breathless; use your prescribed reliever instead.
What are the side effects?
Common effects are throat irritation, hoarseness, oral thrush, cough, headache, tremor, a fast heartbeat and muscle cramps. Facial skin irritation can occur when a mask is used. In COPD, inhaled steroids slightly increase the risk of pneumonia. Seek urgent help if your breathing worsens during or just after a treatment, if your face or throat swells, or if you feel chest pain or a pounding, irregular heartbeat.
Who should not use it?
Avoid it if you are allergic to budesonide or formoterol. Tell your doctor about heart disease, rhythm problems, high blood pressure, thyroid overactivity, diabetes, low potassium, glaucoma, cataract or tuberculosis. Do not combine it with other long-acting beta-agonists, and mention beta-blockers, diuretics and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole or ritonavir. Do not mix it with other nebulizer solutions in the cup unless your doctor says so. If you are pregnant, planning a baby or breastfeeding, ask your doctor whether this combination remains the right choice.
Pack sizes and storage
Supplied in packets of 10 respules and sold as 30, 60 or 90 respules, from $30. At twice-daily use, 30 respules last 15 days. Store below 77°F (25°C), upright in the foil pouch and away from light; do not freeze. Use an opened respule at once and discard any leftover liquid.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a stronger respule?
Foracort Respules 1 mg contain twice the budesonide with the same formoterol.
What can I nebulize for quick relief?
Your doctor may prescribe an albuterol (salbutamol) respule such as Asthalin Respules.
Where are other nebulizer medicines?
See the respiratory category.
General information, not individual medical advice. Foracort Respules 0.5 mg are a prescription medicine; ask your doctor or respiratory nurse how to use your nebulizer.
Helpful guides
- Foracort vs Symbicort: How These Budesonide/Formoterol Inhalers CompareForacort and Symbicort both combine budesonide with formoterol. Compare makers, strengths, devices, dosing, reliever (SMART) use and side effects.
- Types of Asthma Inhalers: Relievers, Preventers and How to Use Them CorrectlyLearn the types of asthma inhalers (relievers, preventers and combination inhalers), how each one works, and step-by-step tips for correct inhaler technique.