Easyhaler Budesonide

What is Easyhaler Budesonide?

Easyhaler Budesonide is a daily preventer inhaler used to treat asthma. It contains the active ingredient budesonide, a corticosteroid that helps reduce swelling and inflammation in your lungs. Instead of the typical pressurised inhaler, which disperses medication as a single cloud when pressed, the Easyhaler releases a measured single dose of budesonide powder with a click. Your clinician will prescribe the right dose for you. This is often either once or twice a day to keep your asthma controlled.

You’ll still need your reliever on hand in the event of an asthma attack, but once your asthma is well managed by Easyhaler Budesonide you’ll probably find you need to use your blue inhaler less.

How do steroid inhalers work?

A common condition, asthma affects more than 300 million people worldwide. In the UK alone, around 17% of men and 18% of women have been diagnosed with asthma at some point. Up to 5.4 million people in the UK are receiving treatment for asthma.^[1]

The symptoms are usually the same for those affected – a tight chest, wheezing, and general difficulty breathing are telltale signs you might need treatment.

Steroid inhalers are an effective way to combat asthma symptoms. The active ingredients found in them (such as budesonide) mimic hormones usually produced by your adrenal glands. The man-made version of these hormones work by reducing the swelling in your lungs, and once inhaled they allow for easier breathing.

Easyhaler Budesonide will give you daily protection from asthma triggers, and help you breathe comfortably. It’s available in different strengths, so a clinician can help you raise or lower your dose depending on your reaction to it.

Which dose of Easyhaler Budesonide is best for me?

Easyhaler Budesonide is available in three different strengths: 100mcg, 200mcg and 400mcg.

Our clinicians can help you decide which dose is best to start on, and will personalise your treatment plan based on the severity of your asthma symptoms.

Although you might feel some benefits from your preventer inhaler after only a few days, it usually takes a few weeks for the medication to properly build up in your system. That’s why we advise you to stick to your doses, and keep a close eye on how you feel. You could keep a daily diary, or use a peak flow meter to check for improvements.

If you need to switch doses, or have any questions regarding your Easyhaler Budesonide treatment, our clinicians are always on hand to help.

How to use your Easyhaler

Your Easyhaler comes in a foil bag, designed to keep the powder inside your inhaler dry. When you’re ready to use it, open the bag and record the date. You’ll need to use the inhaler within six months of opening it.

The three steps for using your Easyhaler are:

1. Shake – aim to shake the inhaler 3-5 times once you’ve removed the dustcap.
2. Click – hold the inhaler upright between your forefinger and thumb. Press down. You’ll
   hear a click, and then another click back again. This means a dose is ready to use.
3. Inhale – with the inhaler held upright, breathe out. Close your lips around the
   mouthpiece. Take a long, deep breath in. Hold your breath for at least 5 seconds, and
   then breathe out.

Your Easyhaler Budesonide features a dose counter, so you can keep track of when your medication is getting low. When the counter turns red, you’re down to 20 doses. If you’re getting close to 0, it’s time to replace it.

What if I forget to take my dose of Easyhaler Budesonide?

You’ll need to use your inhaler daily (it’s best to stick with the same time) to allow it to work properly. If for any reason you miss a dose, don’t worry about trying to double up. Just make sure to take the next dose, and continue with your treatment schedule.

If you have a sudden onset of chest tightness or feel breathless after missing a dose, you can use your blue inhaler for immediate relief. It could mean you need a stronger prescription of Easyhaler Budesonide. Our experts can answer any questions about switching doses.

How do I know if I’m on the right dose of Easyhaler Budesonide?

You might feel some relief from your Easyhaler Budesonide after only a few days, but steroid inhalers usually take a couple of weeks to properly settle in your system. That’s why we advise you to use your inhaler consistently before thinking about switching doses.

There are lots of ways you can monitor your asthma symptoms to see if they’re improving. Peak flow diaries are a great way of keeping an eye on changes. You can also use apps or spreadsheets to record improvements.

Asthma affects people to differing degrees, so your symptom frequency and triggers are personal to you. Our clinicians will check in with you when you start treatment, and you can tell them if you feel like your asthma isn’t controlled well enough on your current dose.