Mometasone inhaler

About mometasone inhaler

Inhalers are the main treatment for astma. The medicine inside the inhaler goes straight into your airways when you breathe in. This means that your airways and lungs are treated, but little of the medicine gets into the rest of your body.

Mometasone is a preventer inhaler. You must use it regularly every day to prevent your symptoms from developing. Steroids like mometasone work by reducing the inflammation in your airways. When the inflammation has gone, your airways are much less likely to become narrow and cause symptoms such as wheezing.

Mometasone is available in combination inhalers containing medicines used to relieve asthma symptoms. These include indacaterol (in the brand name Atectura®). Combination inhalers reduce the number of different inhalers you need to use each day.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start using a mometasone inhaler it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding. This is because it is particularly important that your asthma should be well controlled if you are expecting a baby, and your doctor will want to advise you about your care.

• If you have ever had pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).

• Om du tar eller använder några andra läkemedel. Detta inkluderar alla läkemedel du tar som finns att köpa utan recept, samt växtbaserade och komplementära läkemedel.

• Om du någonsin har haft en allergisk reaktion mot en medicin.

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack and any additional information you are given. These will give you more information about mometasone, and will also provide you with a full list of side-effects which you could experience from using the inhaler.

• Your doctor will tell you how often to use the inhaler, but as a guide, it is usual to use it either once or twice daily. If you are asked to use the inhaler just once a day, use it in the evening; if you are using it twice a day, use it in the morning as well as the evening. Make sure you know how to use your inhaler device properly. If you are not sure, ask your nurse, doctor or pharmacist to show you.

• Some people using steroid inhalers find that the back of their throats can become sore. If you rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth after using your inhaler, this is less likely to develop.

• Mometasone is a preventer inhaler which needs to be used regularly in order to have an effect. It takes a few days for the steroid in the inhaler to build up its effect. Preventer inhalers like mometasone do not give you immediate relief if you are having an asthma attack - you will need to use a reliever inhaler to ease the symptoms of an attack.

• If after using the inhaler for the first time your breathing becomes worse or you suddenly start to wheeze, please let your doctor know straightaway. Your doctor will want to change the type of inhaler to one more suited to you.

• It is helpful to remember the colour of your inhaler and the brand name. This might be important if you need to see a doctor who does not have your medical records (such as if you are on holiday or if it is outside the normal opening hours of your GP surgery).

• Keep your regular appointments with your doctor and asthma clinic. This is so your doctor can review your treatment. If at any time you find that your asthma symptoms are getting worse or that you need to use a reliever inhaler more regularly, contact your doctor or nurse for advice straightaway.

• Continue to use your mometasone inhaler regularly. Do not stop using it abruptly, as this can make you feel unwell and cause your symptoms to return suddenly.

• If you are using a high dose of mometasone, you will also be given a steroid card. You are advised to carry the card with you at all times in case you need any treatment by a doctor who does not have your medical records available.

• Do not smoke. Smoking can cause severe irritation and damage to your lungs. It will make your condition worse and will reduce the beneficial effects of your inhalers.

Along with their useful effects, inhalers like most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the common ones associated with mometasone. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your inhaler. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the inhaler, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

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