Aerobec Forte Autohaler

How to use your AeroBec™ FORTE Autohaler™

Breath-actuated Inhaler

Patient Information

THE NAME OF YOUR MEDICATION IS THE AEROBEC FORTE AUTOHALER DEVICE.

This inhaler contains an active ingredient called BECLOMETASONE which belongs to a group of medicines called steroids. AeroBec Forte Autohaler device delivers 250 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate per puff.

It also contains the following inactive ingredients: sorbitan trioleate, propellents 11, 12 and 114.

This pack contains 200 puffs.

WHO PRODUCES YOUR MEDICATION.

The name and address of the product licence holder is

The product is manufactured by

WHAT YOUR MEDICATION IS PRESCRIBED FOR.

Beclometasone works deep in the air passages of the lungs to prevent asthma and make breathing easier. Beclometasone reduces the number of attacks of the symptoms of asthma such as breathlessness, wheezing and a feeling of tightness in the chest.

AeroBec Forte Autohaler device is prescribed for patients who need a high dose of beclometasone.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE BEFORE USING YOUR AEROBEC FORTE AUTOHALER DEVICE.

If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are trying to become pregnant, or are taking other medications, please tell your doctor before using this inhaler.

This inhaler should not be used if you are allergic to beclometasone.

Please tell your doctor if you are suffering from tuberculosis (TB) before you use this inhaler.

This inhaler will not relieve your symptoms once an attack of wheezing or breathlessness has started.

If you have been given a steroid card with this inhaler, make sure that you carry this with you at all times.

In very rare instances, the normal production of steroids in the body may be affected. Your doctor may wish to test your blood from time to time to check this. One rare effect of this might be that adolescents who are treated for a very long time might grow more slowly than others.

In some patients, the beclometasone may reduce the body's production of a steroid called cortisol. Cortisol helps the body cope with all kinds of emotional or physical stress (e.g. surgery or illness). If you need to use this inhaler at high doses for a long time, your body may not be able to produce enough cortisol in times of stress and extra steroid treatment may be needed for a short time.

Also at high doses over a long time, problems such as cataracts, glaucoma and bone thinning may occur.

If you see any other doctor or dentist, please tell them that you are using the AeroBec Forte Autohaler device.

This inhaler should not be used by children.

THE USE OF YOUR AEROBEC FORTE AUTOHALER DEVICE DURING PREGNANCY AND BREAST FEEDING.

Like other medications beclometasone should not be used if you are pregnant or if you are breast feeding, unless your doctor tells you to.

WHEN TO USE YOUR AEROBEC FORTE AUTOHALER DEVICE.

Please follow your doctor's advice on how many puffs you should take each day.

For adults, the usual dose is two puffs twice a day or one puff four times a day. This may be increased to two puffs four times a day, if necessary.

If you are not sure how many puffs to take or how often to take them please ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This inhaler must be used regularly, even when you feel well. You must not stop treatment unless your doctor tells you to.

If you forget to use this inhaler at the correct time, please use it as soon as you remember. Then carry on using the inhaler as recommended by your doctor.

Each inhaler contains 200 puffs of medication. Try to obtain a prescription for a replacement inhaler before this one is empty.

How to use your AeroBec™ FORTE Autohaler™ device

• 1) To remove the mouthpiece cover, pull down on the lip at the back.
• 2) Hold your Autohaler device upright as shown. Push the lever up so that it stays up.
• 3) With the lever still up, shake your Autohaler device.
• 4) Continue to hold your Autohaler device upright, making sure that your hand is not blocking the air vents at the bottom.
• Breathe out normally and close your lips around the mouthpiece.
• 5) Breathe in through the mouthpiece. When you hear the slight click, continue to breathe in. This click lets you know you have received your puff of medication.
• Hold your breath for 10 seconds and then breathe normally.
• 6) The lever must be lowered after each puff. If your doctor has prescribed more than one puff, wait one minute before repeating steps 2-6.
• Replace the mouthpiece cover after use.

How to Clean and Care for your AeroBec™ FORTE Autohaler™ device

• Rinse the mouthpiece in lukewarm water.
• Shake out excess water.
• Leave it to dry in the air.
• CAUTION: Do not push a drying cloth or anything else into any part of the Autohaler device since it may cause damage to its operating parts.
• Do not take the Autohaler device apart.
• Replace the mouthpiece cover.
• When you are not using your Autohaler device, make sure that the lever is down and that the mouthpiece cover is in place.

HOW LONG WILL YOUR AEROBEC FORTE AUTOHALER DEVICE LAST?

Each pack contains 200 puffs. You can work out how long your inhaler will last by dividing 200 by the number of puffs you normally use each day.

HOW TO TELL WHEN YOUR AEROBEC FORTE AUTOHALER DEVICE IS EMPTY.

There are several ways of telling when the device is empty:

• 1. Hold your inhaler in the upright position and push the lever up so that it stays up (see diagram 2 overleaf). Now shake the device gently and listen for the sound of liquid inside the device. When the device is empty, you will not be able to hear the liquid inside the canister. When you have done this, put the lever down.
• 2. Hold your inhaler in the horizontal position between your thumb and middle finger. Now shake the device slowly and gently. You will be able to feel the sensation of liquid inside the canister. When the device is empty you will not feel this sensation.
• 3. Normally when you operate your inhaler you will hear a slight click which tells you the dose has been released. When the canister is empty, you will still hear a click but it will sound quieter.

WHAT TO DO IF AN ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE IS TAKEN.

Please contact your nearest hospital casualty department, or tell your doctor, immediately.

WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WHEN YOU ARE USING YOUR AEROBEC FORTE AUTOHALER DEVICE.

The following side-effects may occur when taking any inhaled medicine containing beclometasone dipropionate:-

Hoarseness, a sore mouth or thrush (white spots in mouth and throat). These are less likely if you rinse your mouth out with water after using your inhaler. If you get thrush talk to your doctor who may recommend a medicine to treat you.

Feeling of sickness after inhaling this medicine.

Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions such as rashes, itching, redness and swelling of the lips, mouth, throat and eyes may occur. If you experience any of these effects you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

Treatment with beclometasone dipropionate may affect the normal production of corticosteroids in the body. If you become unwell, particularly with abdominal pain, weakness or vomiting, you should see your doctor. This is especially important if you have been exposed to other stress such as other illness, surgery or infection.

At high doses, taken for prolonged periods, bone thinning, clouding of the lens of the eye (cataract) resulting in blurred vision, or loss of vision due to abnormally high pressure in the eye may occur.

Children or adolescents who are using the inhaler for a prolonged period may grow more slowly. Your doctor may therefore wish to monitor the height of a child receiving prolonged treatment with beclometasone dipropionate.

IMPORTANT: if immediately after taking a puff of this inhaler you feel wheezy or tight chested do not take any more puffs. Use your reliever inhaler to help your breathing and contact your doctor straight away.

If you notice any other side-effects, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

If any side-effects continue for more than a few days please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

STORING YOUR MEDICATION.

Store this inhaler in a safe place where children cannot reach it.

Do not store above 30°C. Avoid storage in direct sunlight or heat. Protect from frost.

Do not use after the expiry date printed on the carton.

The metal canister is pressurised. Do not attempt to puncture it or burn it, even when empty.

If your doctor decides to stop treatment, return the inhaler to your pharmacist.

REMEMBER: This medication is only for YOU.

Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give it to others.

It may harm them even if their illness seems to be the same as yours.