Kelhale

What is Kelhale?

Kelhale is a preventer inhaler, containing the corticosteroid beclomethasone. Corticosteroids help reduce your risk of an asthma attack and prevent you experiencing symptoms over the long-term. Taking your Kelhale inhaler daily will help you keep your condition controlled and manageable.

Kelhale is a preventative treatment you’ll take daily. It’ll work to reduce the frequency and severity of your symptoms in the long term. Normally, you’ll use it alongside a separate reliever (or rescue) inhaler. Reliever inhalers are used on-demand to relax your airways and let air pass through more easily, treating symptoms as they occur. Speak to your clinician if you don’t have a rescue inhaler, but think you might need one.

How does Kelhale work?

Kelhale’s active ingredient, the corticosteroid beclomethasone, controls your asthma by suppressing the inflammation of your airways. It does this by inhibiting the actions of inflammatory cells, which opens the airways in your lungs and prevents asthma symptoms.

Kelhale will not provide immediate relief if you’re breathless, wheezing, or having an asthma attack. You should take a separate rescue inhaler if you experience these symptoms. Rescue inhalers contain a medicine that will relax your airways, making it easier to breathe. Speak to your clinician if you’re taking Kelhale and don’t have a separate rescue inhaler, but think you need one.

What doses does Kelhale come in?

Kelhale comes in two doses. The dosage you’re prescribed and how often you take it will depend on the severity of your condition and your level of control over it.

The lower dose is Kelhale 50 micrograms, and the larger is Kelhale 100 micrograms. If your asthma is mild, you’ll likely be instructed to take 100-200mcg a day over two doses. For moderate cases, 200 to 400 mcg over two doses per day is typical. If your asthma is severe, you’ll usually need to take 400-800mcg over two doses every day. You should only ever use your inhaler as you’re instructed to by your clinician.

A new Kelhale inhaler has 200 doses, shown by the dose indicator on the back of the inhaler. This will tick down every 20 sprays – when it shows 40 doses left your inhaler needs replacing.

How to use Kelhale

Kelhale comes in a metered dose inhaler, or an MDI. This means the medicine is held in a pressurised canister, and when sprayed releases a measured dose of treatment. If it’s the first time you’re using your inhaler, or if it’s been a couple of weeks since you last used it, you should check to make sure it’s still working properly.

• Squeeze the sides of the mouthpiece cover to remove it from the mouthpiece;
• With the mouthpiece pointing away from you, press down on the canister two times to release two puffs into the air. This will make sure there are no blockages and the correct amount of medicine is being released.

Once you’re sure your inhaler is working properly, follow these steps to get the most from your treatment:

• Make sure you’re standing or sitting upright;
• Squeeze the sides of the mouthpiece cover to remove it;
• Check the mouthpiece itself is clean and there are no objects lodged in it;
• Hold the inhaler vertically between your thumb on the base and your index finger on the top;
• Breathe out for as long as you comfortably can;
• Making sure you don’t bite the mouthpiece, place it into your mouth between your teeth;
• Start to breathe in as slowly as you can, and just after you begin, press down on the top of the canister. This will release a puff of medicine. You should continue to breathe in steadily and deeply for as long as is comfortable after the medicine is released;
• Hold your breath for as long as you comfortably can. Take the inhaler out of your mouth and remove your finger from the top of the inhaler;
• If you need to take another puff, wait around a minute first. Then, place your index finger back on top of the canister, breathe out, and repeat from there.

How long does it take for Kelhale to work?

As Kelhale is a preventer inhaler, it’ll usually take three to seven days before you start to notice its effects. Once it starts working, you should notice a reduction in symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath, as it suppresses any inflammation in your airways. If you don’t notice any improvement after a week, you should get in touch with your clinician. Your treatment might need a little tweaking.

Kelhale will not give you any relief from an asthma attack or symptoms in the moment, and you shouldn’t take it if you’re experiencing breathlessness. If you’re experiencing sudden symptoms, you’ll need a separate reliever or combination inhaler, which contains a medicine known as a bronchodilator that opens up your airways.

What should I do if I make a mistake taking Kelhale?

You should make sure to only take Kelhale as you’re instructed to by your clinician. If you forget to take a dose, it’s no big deal – just take it as soon as you remember. If you only remember when you’re close to taking your next dose, simply skip the one you missed and continue as normal from the upcoming one. As much as you might be tempted, never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose – you won’t get any extra benefit and it’ll just increase your risk of getting side effects.

Accidentally taking too much Kelhale at once is unlikely to cause any immediate effects, especially if you only do it once. If you take too much over a prolonged period of time, you could suffer from adrenal suppression. This is where your body’s adrenal glands don’t produce enough hormones, and can cause weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. This is still much less likely to occur with inhaled corticosteroids than with oral corticosteroid tablets.

Medically reviewed by

Dr Daniel Atkinson

GP Clinical Lead

on January 24, 2023.

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