Description
Same active ingredient (budesonide/formoterol) as Symbicort®, the US brand. Foracort Respules 1 mg is an Indian brand, made and licensed in India. Compare all Generic Symbicort (Budesonide/Formoterol) options.
About Foracort Respules 1 mg
Foracort Respules 1 mg are prescription nebulizer ampoules containing budesonide 1 mg and formoterol fumarate 20 mcg in each 2 mL dose, made by Cipla Limited, used for maintenance treatment of moderate to severe asthma and COPD in adults who rely on a nebulizer. The formoterol content matches Foracort Respules 0.5 mg; only the steroid is doubled, so this strength suits people who need more anti-inflammatory treatment rather than more bronchodilator.
Key facts
| Per respule | Budesonide 1 mg + formoterol 20 mcg in 2 mL |
|---|---|
| Device | Jet (compressor) nebulizer |
| Usual dose | 1 respule twice daily |
| Maximum | 2 respules in 24 hours |
| Nebulizing time | About 5–10 minutes |
| For | Adults, on a doctor’s prescription |
How does the nebulized combination work?
The mist carries budesonide deep into the airways, where it suppresses the inflammation driving asthma and COPD flare-ups over days to weeks. Formoterol opens the airways quickly and keeps them open for around 12 hours, making breathing easier between doses. Two respules a day provide 2 mg of budesonide, a moderate-to-high nebulized steroid dose.
How to take Foracort Respules 1 mg
Swirl a single respule to resuspend the medicine, twist off the tab and empty it fully into the nebulizer cup. Breathe normally through the mouthpiece while sitting upright until no more mist appears. Take one respule in the morning and one in the evening. Because each contains 20 mcg of formoterol, never exceed two respules in a day, and never use this medicine to treat a sudden attack. If a mask is needed, wash your face afterward, since steroid left on the skin can cause irritation; rinse your mouth as well.
Looking after your nebulizer
- Use a jet nebulizer; ultrasonic machines do not aerosolize budesonide suspension properly.
- After every treatment, rinse the cup and mouthpiece in warm water and leave them to air-dry.
- Disinfect or replace the kit as the manufacturer recommends, as dirty equipment can harbor germs.
- Check the compressor filter regularly; a clogged filter makes treatments slower.
- Do not add other medicines to the cup unless your doctor tells you to.
What are the side effects?
Hoarseness, oral thrush, cough and throat irritation come from the steroid, while tremor, palpitations, headache and cramps come from formoterol. At this dose, long-term use can occasionally affect bone density, the eyes or adrenal function. In COPD, pneumonia is slightly more likely with inhaled steroids. Get urgent help for breathing that worsens during nebulization, swelling of the face or tongue, chest pain, or a very fast or irregular heartbeat.
Who should not use it?
It is unsuitable for anyone allergic to budesonide or formoterol and is not intended for children. Take extra care with heart disease, arrhythmias, severe high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid, diabetes, low potassium, osteoporosis, glaucoma or tuberculosis. Tell your doctor about beta-blockers, other LABAs, diuretics, theophylline and CYP3A4 inhibitors such as itraconazole, clarithromycin or ritonavir. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your doctor will review whether the higher steroid dose is still necessary.
Pack sizes and storage
Packed 10 respules per packet and sold as 30, 60 or 90 respules, from $35. At one respule twice daily, 60 respules last a month. Keep them below 77°F (25°C) in the foil pouch, standing upright and protected from light, and do not freeze. Once opened, a respule should be used straight away.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch to the 0.5 mg respule?
Only if your doctor steps you down. Foracort Respules 0.5 mg keep the same formoterol with less steroid.
Is there a budesonide-only 1 mg respule?
Yes, Budecort Respules 1 mg, which contains no formoterol.
What about a nebulized reliever?
Ask about Asthalin Respules, or browse the asthma category.
Educational information only. Foracort Respules 1 mg are a prescription medicine; use them only with the nebulizer and dose your doctor has recommended.
Helpful guides
- Asthma vs COPD: What’s the Difference? Causes, Tests and TreatmentAsthma often starts in childhood and its airway narrowing largely reverses with treatment, while COPD usually follows years of smoking and causes…
- 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.