Sirdupla

What is Sirdupla?

Sirdupla is a combined maintenance inhaler designed to both ease your asthma symptoms and prevent them in the future. The first of two active ingredients it contains is a type of medication known as a long-acting bronchodilator. These relax and widen the airways to make breathing easier for around 12 hours. It’s called salmeterol, and it will help relieve any symptoms you get day-to-day.

The second active ingredient in Sirdupla is a corticosteroid known as fluticasone. This suppresses any inflammation in your lungs, reducing irritation and targeting your asthma symptoms at the source. By taking your Sirdupla inhaler daily you’ll reduce the severity and frequency of your symptoms, as well as your risk of having an asthma attack.

Sirdupla inhalers are designed to help stop you experiencing breathlessness. But as they contain a long-acting bronchodilator designed to work over 12 hours, they won’t provide any immediate relief in an emergency. So if you’re wheezing and short of breath, you should use a separate rescue inhaler that contains a short-acting bronchodilator (like salbutamol) for immediate relief.

How does Sirdupla work?

The two active ingredients in Sirdupla work together to first improve your symptoms of asthma, then eventually prevent them. First, the bronchodilator salmeterol relaxes the muscles in your airways, meaning air can pass in and out of your lungs more easily. Meanwhile, the corticosteroid fluticasone suppresses inflammatory genes that are activated by conditions like asthma, reducing swelling and irritation in your airways. Together, this should help you breathe more freely, and decrease your risk of having an asthma attack.

What doses does Sirdupla come in?

Sirdupla inhalers come in two different dosages. The stronger dose, for severe asthma, contains 25 micrograms of salmeterol and 250 micrograms of fluticasone. If your asthma is more moderate, a version containing 25mcg salmeterol and 125mcg fluticasone is available.

You should only take the minimum dose of treatment that still keeps your symptoms under control. Speak to your doctor if you think your current dose is too high or too low for your condition. As there is no version of Sirdupla containing a dose lower than 25/125mcg, you’ll need to swap to a different inhaler if you need to move to a weaker dose. Usually you’ll take two puffs, twice a day, regardless of which dosage you’re taking.

How to use Sirdupla

If it’s the first time you’re using your Sirdupla inhaler, you should check it’s working properly beforehand.

• take the mouthpiece cover in between your index finger and thumb and gently squeeze to remove it.
• shake the inhaler well.
• pointing the mouthpiece away from you, press firmly down on the canister to release a puff into the air.
• repeat this three times, shaking the inhaler thoroughly between each puff, until the dose counter reads 120.
• you should repeat this if it’s been a week or more since you last used your inhaler, or if your inhaler has gotten very cold (lower than 0° celsius).

In order to use your Sirdupla inhaler:

• first, stand or sit upright. Then, squeeze the mouthpiece cover between your index finger and thumb and pull to remove it.
• shake the inhaler well, at least four or five times, to dislodge any loose particles in the mouthpiece and ensure the medicine is mixed properly.
• hold the inhaler upright with your thumb under the base and index finger on top of the canister. Breathe out as far as you can comfortably.
• put the mouthpiece into your mouth, between your teeth (but make sure not to bite down on it). Close your lips around the mouthpiece.
• slowly, start to take a deep breath through your mouth. Just after you start to breathe in, firmly press down on the top of the canister with your index finger to release your dose of medicine. You should continue to breathe in deeply as you do so.
• while holding your breath for as long as is comfortable, remove the inhaler from your mouth. Then, slowly breathe out.
• wait about 30 seconds, then repeat this process to take another puff of your inhaler.
• make sure you push the mouthpiece cover back on until you hear it click when you’re done. This will keep out any dust or objects from getting stuck in the mouthpiece.

The first few times you use your inhaler, try using it in front of a mirror. If you can see any mist coming from your mouth or the top of the inhaler, you should try and take that puff again from the start.

How long does it take Sirdupla to work?

The two active ingredients in Sirdupla are designed to alleviate your symptoms in the short term, and prevent them from flaring up in the long term. After you take a puff of your inhaler you’ll feel the benefits of salmeterol within 10-20 minutes; it’ll open up your airways to let air pass more easily. And as it’s a long acting bronchodilator, you’ll feel its effects for up to 12 hours.

Fluticasone can take a little longer to work, as it needs time to suppress the swelling in your lungs. However, in an analysis of eight clinical trials, statistically significant improvements were observed on the first day people began treatment with fluticasone. It took two weeks for the best observed reduction in asthma symptom scores and rescue inhaler use, and three weeks for the most improved peak expiratory flow.

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

You should only use your Sirdupla inhaler as it’s prescribed by your clinician. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s nearly time for your next dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and continue as normal. Taking a double dose to make up for a missed one won’t provide any benefit, and can increase the risk of side effects.

If you take too much Sirdupla at once, try not to worry. It’s unlikely to be serious, especially if it’s just the once. You might experience a tremor, headaches, or an increased heart rate, but these should pass. Speak to your doctor if you’re worried.