What is Budesonide / formoterol fumarate dihydrate inhalation aerosol - Meaning and definition

Published by Roberto Wenk. Reviewed by Alison Ramsey. Last updated date: September 17, 2018.

An inhalation aerosol formulation containing budesonide and the fumarate dihydrate salt of formoterol with anti-inflammatory and bronchial smooth muscle-relaxing activities.
The synthetic corticosteroid steroid budesonide binds to intracellular glucocorticosteroid receptors (GRs), exhibiting inhibitory activities against multiple cell types and mediators associated with allergic inflammation.
The long-acting beta-adrenergic receptor agonist formoterol selectively binds to beta-2 adrenergic receptors in bronchial smooth muscle, activating intracellular adenyl cyclase, an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic-3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP); increased intracellular cAMP result in the relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle and inhibition of the cellular release of mediators of immediate hypersensitivity, especially from mast cells.

National Cancer Institute. NCI Drug Dictionary. Internet. September 15, 2009.

Published by Roberto Wenk. Last updated date: July 2, 2018.

Adult, inhalation
Asthma, COPD: per inhalation contains budesonide(mcg)/formoterol fumarate(mcg) 80/4.5 or 160/4.5.
2 inhalations twice daily. Not to use more than 4 inhalations/day of either strength.
Patients who are receiving low-medium dose inhaled corticosteroid may be started on lower strength combination while those receiving medium-high dose inhaled corticosteroid may be started on higher strength combination.
Patients who are not adequately controlled on the lower strength combination may convert to the higher strength combination after 1-2 week of treatment.

Adverse drug reactions: headache, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infections, stomach discomfort, vomiting, oral candidiasis, back pain, nasal congestion, sinusitis.

Indications in palliative care: reversible and irreversible airways obstruction, stridor, lymphangitis carcinomatosa, radiation pneumonitis, cough after insertion of bronchial stent.

Adapted from CIMS Drug Information System. Internet. Accessed on January 10, 2016.

To cite

Budesonide / formoterol fumarate dihydrate inhalation aerosol. IAHPC Pallipedia. https://pallipedia.org/budesonide-formoterol-fumarate-dihydrate-inhalation-aerosol. Accessed