What is it and how is it used?
What Onbrez Breezhaler is
Onbrez Breezhaler contains the active substance indacaterol which belongs to a group of medicines called bronchodilators. When you inhale it, it relaxes the muscles in the walls of the small air passages in the lungs. This helps open up the airways, making it easier to get air in and out.
What Onbrez Breezhaler is used for
Onbrez Breezhaler is used in adults who have breathing difficulties due to a lung disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It helps you breathe more easily and minimise the effects of COPD.
What do you have to consider before using it?
Follow all the doctor’s instructions carefully. They may differ from the general information contained in this leaflet.
Do not use Onbrez Breezhaler
Onbrez Breezhaler should not be given to children or adolescents below the age of 18 years.
During treatment with Onbrez Breezhaler,
- Stop using the medicine and tell your doctor immediately if you get tightness of the chest, coughing, wheezing or breathlessness immediately after using the medicine. These may be signs of a condition called bronchospasm.
- Tell your doctor immediately if your COPD symptoms (breathlessness, wheezing, cough) do not improve or get worse.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
In particular, please tell your doctor if you are using:
- medicines for breathing problems that are similar to Onbrez Breezhaler. You may be more likely to get side effects.
- medicines called beta blockers that are used for high blood pressure or other heart problems (such as propranolol), or for the eye problem called glaucoma (such as timolol). - medicines that lower the amount of potassium in your blood. These include:
Using Onbrez Breezhaler with food and drink
You can inhale Onbrez Breezhaler anytime before or after food or drink.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or think that you may be pregnant, or if you are breast-feeding, tell your doctor before using Onbrez Breezhaler. You should not use Onbrez Breezhaler unless your doctor tells you so.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
It is unlikely that Onbrez Breezhaler will affect your ability to drive and use machines.
How is it used?
Always use Onbrez Breezhaler exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
How much Onbrez Breezhaler to use
- The usual dose is to inhale the content of one capsule each day. Your doctor may tell you to use the 150 microgram capsule or the 300 microgram capsule depending on your condition and on how you respond to the treatment. Do not use more than your doctor tells you to use. - Use your inhaler at the same time each day, the effects last for 24 hours. This ensures that there is always enough medicine in your body to help you breathe more easily throughout the day and night. It will also help you to remember to use it.
If you use more Onbrez Breezhaler than you should
If you have inhaled too much Onbrez Breezhaler or if someone else uses your capsules, tell your doctor immediately or go to the nearest emergency unit. Show the pack of Onbrez Breezhaler. Medical attention may be needed.
If you forget to use Onbrez Breezhaler
If you forget to inhale a dose, inhale just one dose at the usual time the next day. Do not inhale a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
How long to continue your treatment with Onbrez Breezhaler
- Keep using your treatment with Onbrez Breezhaler for as long as your doctor tells you. - COPD is a long-term disease and you should use Onbrez Breezhaler every day and not only when you have breathing problems or other symptoms of COPD.
If you have questions about how long to continue your treatment with Onbrez Breezhaler, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
What are possible side effects?
Like all medicines, Onbrez Breezhalercan cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Some side effects may be serious. Tell your doctor immediately
- if you get crushing chest pain, or irregular heart beat.
- if you get high levels of sugar in your blood (diabetes). You will feel tired, very thirsty and hungry (without gaining weight) and will pass more urine than usual.
Other side effects may include:
Uncommon side effects
- tingling or numbness
- chest pain
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Some people occasionally cough soon after inhaling the medicine. Cough is a common symptom in COPD. If you experience coughing briefly after inhaling the medicine, do not worry. Check your inhaler to see if the capsule is empty and that you have received the full dose. If the capsule is empty, there is no need for concern. If the capsule is not empty then inhale again as directed.
How should it be stored?
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use after the expiry date shown on the box and blister strip. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 30°C.
Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture and do not remove until immediately before use.
Do not use Onbrez Breezhaler if you notice that the pack is damaged or show signs of tampering. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
