Pulmicort for inhalation: instructions for use for children and adults

Pulmicort for inhalation is used in the treatment of the respiratory tract in adults and children. The daily dosage of the drug is on average 0.5 mg, but for children it is possible to reduce it by half, and in especially severe cases the dosage is doubled, regardless of the patient’s age.

Available in the form of a suspension or powder, it has a complex effect (anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, strengthens the immune system), and almost instantly relieves an attack of suffocation or dry cough. The cost of Pulmicort ranges from 900-2000 rubles for 20 single doses, it is stored for 2 years and only in a cool, dark place.

It is used after dilution with saline, unless otherwise specified in the doctor's prescription. Available in pharmacies with a prescription. The drug is hormonal, so the duration of therapy is determined by a specialist; it is often used to solve emergency problems - acute suffocation, bronchospasm. Contraindicated in children under 6 months of age, undesirable during pregnancy and breastfeeding, with liver and kidney diseases.

Pulmicort: instructions and composition

Pulmicort is a hormonal drug intended for the treatment of coughs of various etiologies. It is a synthetic glucocorticosteroid, produced in powder and solution form. Pulmicort for inhalation for children perfectly relieves swelling of the bronchi, while having an anti-inflammatory effect and preventing bronchospasm.

The drug is completely safe for children and is suitable for long-term use. The main component is budesonide, it is quickly absorbed and excreted from the body in the urine. The effect of therapy is noticeable already during the procedure, and the maximum effect occurs after a few hours.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

Instructions for use of the drug "pulmicort" designate the drug as an analogue of human hormones produced by the adrenal glands. The anti-inflammatory effect of Pulmicort is manifested by suppressing the immune response and activating the production of inflammatory mediators aimed at the bronchopulmonary system. Actions of Pulmicort on the respiratory system:

1. Reducing swelling of the mucous membrane;
2. Reducing blood stagnation in the vessels of the bronchopulmonary system;
3. Decreased tone of muscle walls;
4. Reduces the production of mucous secretions by glandular cells.

Due to its hormonal nature, the drug actively relieves the attack-like course of bronchial asthma. After Pulmicort, the effect on the body begins to appear within two hours, and with long-term therapy it continues for two weeks after stopping treatment. It is advisable to use the drug to prevent exacerbation of attacks of bronchial asthma and obstructive pulmonary disease.

During inhalation use, Pulmicort actively accumulates in the bloodstream, reaching its maximum concentration within half an hour after the start of treatment. The accumulation of the drug occurs in the liver, excretion through the urinary system.

For what pathologies is Pulmicort used?

The use of the drug is recommended for the following diseases:

• chronic pulmonary obstruction;
• chronic rhinitis;
• bronchial asthma;
• lichen planus;
• vasomotor rhinitis, as well as those caused by allergens;
• psoriasis;
• dermatitis;
• non-allergic asthma;
• emphysema;
• infection of the respiratory tract;
• cough without etiology in a chronic form.

In addition, this drug can be taken for preventive purposes if there is a predisposition to the growth of polyps in the sinuses.

The drug must be prescribed by a doctor. The dosage is individual in each specific case. Before starting therapy, you need to familiarize yourself with the contraindications.

How to breathe correctly

Inhalation is allowed no earlier than 90 minutes after meals and heavy physical activity. The prepared solution is placed in a special nebulizer container and the procedure begins. Its duration depends on the amount of fluid administered. This usually lasts from 10 to 15 minutes. Before manipulation, it is important to wash your hands, this will prevent germs from entering parts of the device.

Carrying out inhalation with a nebulizer

Inhalation of Pulmicort for coughing should be treated with special care. Diseases of the larynx, lungs, trachea, and bronchi require calm inhalation of a therapeutic aerosol through the mouth. The inhalation should be deep, after which it is important to hold your breath for a few seconds and then calmly exhale through your nose.

At the end of the procedure, the nebulizer must be thoroughly cleaned (how to do this correctly is indicated in the device instructions).

When inhaling with a nebulizer, children use a special mask that covers the mouth and nose. Before the procedure, the child needs to wash his hands and treat his face with an antibacterial agent. After inhalation, wash your face and rinse your mouth with water. Taking into account the features of the drug, this will reduce the risk of developing mucosal candidiasis and skin irritation.

Inhalation of Pulmicort is recommended to be carried out at a temperature not exceeding 37.5 degrees. The restriction is caused by the possibility of worsening the condition due to bronchitis, pneumonia or infection. However, if attacks of suffocation or bronchospasm occur, you can breathe Pulmicort even at high temperatures.

Pulmicort for inhalation for children

The drug Pulmicort is produced in the form of turbuhaler and suspension - nebula; it has shown excellent results in the treatment of laryngitis in children.

Inhalations are carried out using a nebulizer with a mask and mouthpiece that are attached to it. All these components contribute to the deepest possible breath. It is thanks to this application that the product is distributed throughout all pathways of the respiratory system.

Before using Pulmicort for inhalation, you must dilute the drug in accordance with the instructions.

Analogues for inhalation

There are analogues of Pulmicort that are used for inhalation - Budesonide, Tafen Novolizer, Benacort, Novopulmon E Novolizer and Symbicort Turbuhaler. All of them are good substitutes and can be used with the permission of a doctor for the same indications. The dosage is selected individually.

The cheapest option listed is Benacort. It is produced in different forms - powder, suspension, solution and powder capsules.

When comparing Pulmicort with Budesonide, it is worth emphasizing that these are the same drug. The second is available in the form of powder for inhalation; one package is enough for 200 doses. Each of them contains 200 mcg of budesonide and lactose monohydrate up to 8 mg.

If you compare Pulmicort and other analogues, for example, Berodual, it is important to know that they are usually combined during treatment to achieve a better result. They have different mechanisms of action.

Berodual has a bronchodilator effect, relaxes the smooth muscles of the bronchi, and relieves inflammation.

To eliminate an attack of bronchial asthma or croup in childhood, it is enough to use one of the listed drugs. But it is important to know that croup is a reason for hospitalization.

In the case of children, you need to be careful - if two or three procedures do not have an effect, you should call an ambulance and report the incident to your doctor. If it is not possible to purchase a nebulizer, Pulmicort and its analogues must be present in the first aid kit.

How to dilute Pulmicort?

For children, it is recommended to dilute the drug Pulmicort using: saline solution, fenoterol, terbutaline, acetylcysteine ​​and salbutamol. It is better not to prepare such a solution for inhalation yourself; you can purchase a ready-made mixture at the pharmacy.

Pulmicort for nebulizer is diluted with saline in the ratio recommended by the doctor. Typically, the volume of the product is from 0.25 to 1 ml and is diluted with saline to a total of 2 ml.

The drug can cause oral candidiasis, so after inhalation you must rinse your mouth.

Pulmicort or Berodual: which is better to choose?

Pediatricians often recommend taking the medications “Pulmicort” and “Berodual” not separately, but together. It is used as a preventive medication, as well as for the symptomatic treatment of asthma; this medicine perfectly relieves shortness of breath. But what is better to choose for your baby: Pulmicort or Berodual?

The latter temporarily blocks the receptors that cause bronchial spasms, thereby expanding the bronchi in humans. The effect usually occurs quite quickly. It is used in combination with other anti-asthmatic medications or individually. This remedy is indicated for children from six years of age.

The drug is non-hormonal and acts temporarily, so, unfortunately, it does not allow you to get rid of the disease forever. For a child, combination therapy is preferable. Thus, in case of severe asthma, it is necessary to do inhalations with Berodual and the drug we describe at the same time.

Reviews of Pulmicort for inhalation for children are presented below.

Dosage of the drug for adults and children

For maintenance therapy, the dosage for inhalation for adults is from 0.5 to 4 ml. With exacerbation of the disease, the dose may be increased. At the beginning of therapy, the dosage is usually about 2 ml per day.

The dosage of Pulmicort for inhalation for children is selected individually, but if you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, it is 0.25-0.5 ml. If necessary, the amount of the drug can be increased to 1 ml, but only with the permission of the doctor.

If the daily dose for a child does not exceed 1 ml, the procedure is carried out once in the evening. If the prescribed dose exceeds 1 ml, it should be divided into two times: morning and evening.

Adolescents from 12 years of age receive up to three inhalations per day, each 0.25 ml. The product must be diluted with saline solution in equal quantities.

For adults, if the dose exceeds 2 ml, inhalations are carried out with an undiluted solution.

Despite the fact that the drug is easily absorbed, it is important to remember that it may cause unwanted reactions in some patients.

Composition and release form

Instructions for use of the drug Pulmicort imply a fixed dosage of 0.25 or 0.5 milligrams per milliliter. These numbers indicate the content of the active substance budesonide, which has the necessary therapeutic effect. The rest of the drug consists of excipients that stabilize the effect of budesonide.

The product is contained in disposable plastic containers, each of which contains a dose of the substance required for one procedure. The package can contain from 5 to 20 disposable plastic containers; the dosage is selected individually, depending on the severity of the condition.

Adverse reactions from the use of Pulmicort

The use of Pulmicort can cause growth retardation in children, but after discontinuation everything returns to normal. Complications after use appear more often in those patients who have been recommended a large dose of the drug. With frequent use, hypofunction of the adrenal glands was detected in patients.

The following body reactions are also often observed:

• throat irritation;
• oral candidiasis;
• feeling of dry mouth;
• bronchospasms;
• cough,
• headache;
• allergic reaction.

Overexcitement, depression, and general malaise were also observed in children. Using the drug with a nebulizer mask may cause bruising and irritation on the facial skin.

Contraindications and side effects

Pulmicort is prohibited for use in the treatment of children under 6 months of age. In addition, this drug is not prescribed to patients who have hypersensitivity to budesonide.

Inhalation is not recommended for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and liver cirrhosis, as well as with viral, bacterial and fungal infections of the respiratory system.

The use of the drug may cause temporary reversible growth retardation. With high dosages of the drug, systemic complications are possible, and with its frequent administration, hypofunction of the adrenal glands develops in the body.

When inhaled with Pulmicort, dryness and irritation in the throat may appear, as well as cough and damage to the mucous membrane by fungi of the genus Candida. In addition, the drug can cause side effects such as bronchospasm, an allergic reaction in the form of skin rashes and headaches. In some cases, the patient’s behavior changes, depression appears and excitability increases.

How to properly inhale Pulmicort?

It is recommended to use the suspension only through a compressor nebulizer with a mask and mouthpiece.

The drug is not used in ultrasonic devices.

The inhalation device is connected to a compressor, which provides the required air flow, up to eight liters per minute. It must be filled with up to 4 ml of solution.

Before using the product in nebulas, the container with the drug is shaken, opened and the contents are squeezed into the nebulizer. If the procedure requires 1 ml of suspension, squeeze out the product until the liquid level reaches the required line.

The drug enters the body only with a deep breath, so you need to inhale evenly and carefully.

If, during the procedure, small children are unable to take a deep breath on their own, use a special mask. Parents must ensure that it fits tightly to their face.

All components of the inhalation device must be thoroughly cleaned after each procedure, rinsed with warm water using detergent. The device itself should be rinsed and dried thoroughly.

General characteristics of the drug

Pulmicort belongs to the medicinal group of hormonal drugs.
This is a synthetic corticosteroid that helps reduce the incidence of diseases of the lower respiratory organs. Pulmicort has a strong anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effect, in addition, it relieves bronchospasm well. This drug also reduces allergy symptoms. The active component of Pulmicort is budesonide. Budesonide is supplemented with various excipients, which only enhance the effect of the drug.

According to the experienced doctor Komarovsky, Pulmicort is completely safe for small children . When performing inhalations, the active substance almost instantly penetrates the site of inflammation and is very quickly removed from the body through the kidneys.

Pulmicort is completely non-addictive, so it can be used to treat children for a long time.

Is Pulmicort a hormonal drug or not?

Many parents are interested in the question: Is Pulmicort a hormonal drug or not? The answer is clear - yes. After parents hear such an answer, they categorically refuse to use the drug.

The reason for refusal is fear of such drugs. This is because hormonal drugs can cause uncontrolled weight gain. There is also an opinion that after using hormonal drugs, the child will no longer be able to live without them. In fact, the fears are justified, and there have been cases where body weight increased after uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs, which happens due to disruptions in the body’s metabolic processes.

Cases of addiction to hormones have also been observed, but all this happens due to the fact that a person has been using hormonal therapy for a long time and his body has stopped producing hormones on its own. This ultimately causes the need for medicine. However, there are a number of diseases that require the use of hormonal drugs, one of them is bronchial asthma.

Pulmicort for inhalation makes it possible to achieve the most stable remission and significant improvement in health.

Indications for use

Instructions for use of the drug Pulmicort suggest using the drug for the treatment of the following conditions:

• Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
• Exacerbations of chronic and manifestations of acute bronchitis;
• Therapy and prevention of bronchial asthma of various etiologies;
• Prolonged, unproductive cough.

Obstructive pulmonary disease

Manifestation of acute bronchitis

Bronchial ac class=»aligncenter» width=»600″ height=»400″[/img] Unproductive cough
Pulmicort can be used to treat other diseases of an allergic nature, as one of the components of complex therapy.

Special instructions for the use of Pulmicort

Concomitant use with itraconazole or ketonazole, as well as other substances that retain CYP 3A4 in the body, is undesirable. If you absolutely cannot do without taking these medications, you need to try to keep the gap between doses as long as possible.

When switching from taking oral corticosteroids to Pulmicort, the patient may experience pain in the joints and muscles. With such symptoms, the doctor may increase the dosage of oral corticosteroids.

In isolated cases, nausea, vomiting, and increased fatigue may occur. Such symptoms may indicate systemic glucocorticosteroid deficiency.

When replacing inhaled drugs with oral ones, an allergic reaction of the body may occur. To relieve it, systemic means are used.

In what cases is the use of Pulmicort contraindicated?

The use of Pulmicort is prohibited in the following cases:

The use of Pulmicort is prohibited when

• skin diseases (tuberculosis, erythematous acne, dermatitis, facial skin tumors);
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• budesonide intolerance;
• the child is less than 6 months old.

The use of the drug is not recommended for mild viral, fungal, bacterial infections, or pulmonary tuberculosis.

Use during pregnancy

There are absolutely no contraindications to the use of the drug during pregnancy. Studies confirm that no increased risks of abnormalities in fetal development have been identified. However, such risks should not be excluded, since the drug is hormonal. Therefore, if you cannot do without its use, then the initial dose should be minimal.

As for breastfeeding, the main substance, budesonide, does not pass into milk. But still, when prescribing the drug, it is necessary to take into account that the child still has a risk of developing pathologies. It might be worth finding another remedy.

Reviews

For acute bronchitis in a child, the doctor prescribed a treatment regimen with Pulmicort. The drug really quickly relieves inflammation and makes breathing easier. We were treated for quite a long time, but no addiction appeared.

Elena, 34 years old, Moscow

We were prescribed Pulmicort for laryngitis, which was accompanied by attacks of suffocation. All inhalations were carried out in accordance with the instructions in the instructions. A few days later, the child’s condition improved and there were no side effects.

Yulia, 40 years old, Kyiv

Analogs

If there are contraindications to the use of Pulmicort, then with the permission of the doctor you can use its analogues:

• Budenit;
• Apulein;
• Benacort;
• Benacap;
• Tafen nasal;
• Pulmicort turbuhaler;
• Cicortide cyclocaps.

Pulmicort gives maximum effect in the treatment of cough of any etiology. Particularly good results were obtained in the treatment of patients with bronchial asthma. The drug is hormonal.

Self-medication can cause irreparable harm to health, so the drug should only be prescribed by a doctor who will correctly select the course of treatment and the required dosage.

Author: Irina Panchenko, especially for Moylor.ru

Analogues for the drug

Analogs for Pulmicort:

• Budekort;
• Budesonide;
• Budenit Steri-Neb;
• Budesonide Nativ;
• Tafen Novolizer.

Budekort

Budesonide

Budenit Steri-Neb

Tafen Novolizer
Methods of use and dosage of these medications may differ from Pulmicort, so you should read the instructions for use.

Drug interactions

Pulmicort has a specific effect on tissues, changing physiological reactions in organs that have receptors to which the hormone binds. Stimulation of andrenoreceptors helps improve bronchial patency. The recommended dosage of Budesonide has a positive effect on the glands that produce mucus and phlegm, resulting in reduced swelling.

Pulmicort for children is able to relieve swelling of the bronchi and eliminate the symptoms of the disease during an exacerbation. The mechanism of action of Budesonide is based on blocking the synthesis of bronchoconstrictor substances by influencing encoding genes. Low lipophilicity promotes penetration into the lungs through mucous secretions and eliminates bronchospasm by reducing the synthesis of nitric oxide. The maximum effect of treatment with the drug is achieved 7-14 days after the start of therapy.

The use of the drug in recommended doses is well tolerated by patients. Rare side effects include:

• dry mouth;
• candidal lesions;
• increased excitability;
• skin irritation.

A one-time excess of the dosage does not lead to tangible consequences. With long-term treatment with Pulmicort with chronic excess dosage, the following clinical phenomena may occur, in which the dose is gradually reduced:

• hyperpigmentation;
• weight gain;
• weakness, dizziness;
• hypertension;
• appearance of stretch marks.

Undesirable results occur in 1 out of 10 cases of using the medication. This is due to its hormonal basis, long-term exposure to which can worsen the immune system, or the body’s reaction to budesonide.

Possible side effects include: the appearance of fungus in the mouth, dryness, hoarseness, nausea, increased excitability, sleep disturbances, depression, irritation or allergic skin rashes, etc. To prevent them, after the child has inhaled the drug, he should rinse his mouth and wash with soap. The inhaler parts must be cleaned regularly after each procedure.

If you use the drug for a long time, the child's growth may be delayed. This is a temporary and reversible process that will disappear after stopping inhalations. The child’s growth and development parameters must be kept under special control and the delay must be reported to the doctor. Pulmicort is prescribed for treatment in children and adolescents only after analyzing the potential consequences of taking it and the correlation of the negative aspects with the therapeutic effect and the expected benefits for the child's body.

With frequent use or too large doses, hypofunction of the adrenal glands may occur. In this case, it is recommended to reduce the intake and lower the dosage after consulting a pulmunologist.

Contraindications

Due to its local action, Pulmicort is practically not absorbed into the bloodstream, which significantly reduces the risk of developing adverse reactions in the body. However, not everyone can use the drug. Contraindications to its use are:

1. Age up to 6 months.
2. Diseases of the adrenal glands.
3. Individual intolerance to the composition.
4. Heart pathologies.

In pediatric practice, there are sometimes cases when Pulmicort is prescribed to children under 6 months, but in this case the dosage should be selected by a doctor, taking into account all the individual characteristics of the child, and the procedure itself should be carried out under the supervision of medical staff.

Side effects

When using Pulmicort for inhalation for children, the side effects are exactly the same as in adults. These include the following:

• allergy;
• headache;
• dry mouth;
• bronchospasm;
• hoarseness;
• increased irritability and depression;
• pharyngeal candidiasis;
• facial redness when using a nebulizer.

If the drug is used for a long time in large dosages, then “Pulmicort” for inhalation can cause side effects such as disruption of the adrenal glands, and hypercortisolism may also appear. To reduce the negative effects of the drug, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:

• after each procedure, rinse your mouth with water;
• wash your face and hands to prevent skin irritation;
• Clean the nebulizer thoroughly after inhalation.

If you use Pulmicort for inhalation for a long time, the side effects may be more serious. They manifest themselves in the form of inhibition of the child’s growth.

pharmachologic effect

The main active ingredient of the drug is budesonide, which has an antiallergic and anti-inflammatory effect on the body of children and adults.
Thanks to this substance, the production of mucus by the lungs is noticeably reduced, and in the fight against bronchitis it is possible to achieve a pronounced effect. Pulmicort for inhalation is a corticosteroid and is produced in the form of:

• powder;
• solution;
• suspensions.

This medicine is prescribed for inhalation for cough in patients of any age and, if necessary, during pregnancy. Pulmicort is allowed to be used for therapy over a long period.

The attached instructions indicate that when performing inhalations with such a drug, you can notice a positive result within a few hours. The therapeutic effect of treatment with this drug can be achieved several weeks after the start of such treatment.

Budesonide is considered an easily absorbed substance that quickly interacts with body proteins and is eliminated from it without problems. Experts say that the active substance is excreted through urine, tears and sweat.

Local use of this drug helps reduce the severity of symptoms and get rid of an asthma attack. In this case, the development of any side effects is not observed, or the complications are not as significant as with glucocorticosteroid therapy.

There are certain indications for treatment with a drug such as Pulmicort, namely:

• obstructive chronic pathology in the lungs;

• use as a basic treatment in the elimination of bronchial asthma;

• diagnosing chronic rhinitis;
• allergic contact dermatitis;
• development of lichen planus;
• infectious pathologies of the upper respiratory tract;
• chronic cough of unknown etymology;
• as a prophylaxis against the growth of polypous formations in the nasal cavity;
• psoriasis and asthma of non-allergic origin.

Laryngitis in children is often an indication for the use of Pulmicort. Inhalations based on it help get rid of dry cough and wheezing when inhaling.

Medical practice shows that most often the indication for prescribing Pulmicort is emergency therapy. During pregnancy, such a drug is used in a situation where the possible effect exceeds the possible risks for the child.

If it is necessary to carry out systematic treatment, in most cases inhalations with Berodual are done, thanks to which it is possible to get rid of such unpleasant symptoms as shortness of breath, cough and bronchospasm.

The instructions included with Pulmicort tell us that this drug is effective in combination with the following drugs:

• mucolytics;
• antihistamines;
• stabilizers of fat membranes.

Reviews from patients indicate that it is possible to achieve a pronounced positive result with the help of inhalations if treatment with Pulmicort is carried out for one month.

Pulmicort has a specific effect on tissues, changing physiological reactions in organs that have receptors to which the hormone binds. Stimulation of andrenoreceptors helps improve bronchial patency. The recommended dosage of Budesonide has a positive effect on the glands that produce mucus and phlegm, resulting in reduced swelling.

Pulmicort for children is able to relieve swelling of the bronchi and eliminate the symptoms of the disease during an exacerbation. The mechanism of action of Budesonide is based on blocking the synthesis of bronchoconstrictor substances by influencing encoding genes. Low lipophilicity promotes penetration into the lungs through mucous secretions and eliminates bronchospasm by reducing the synthesis of nitric oxide. The maximum effect of treatment with the drug is achieved 7-14 days after the start of therapy.

The topical drug reduces the risk of complications and side effects that occur when taking GCS orally, while providing a similar anti-inflammatory effect. Such properties determine the use of Pulmicort for children starting from the age of six months. Glucocorticosteroid therapy is indicated for a child in the following cases:

• attacks of bronchial asthma;
• obstructive bronchitis and other obstructive diseases;
• allergic asthma attacks;
• laryngitis;
• coughing attacks of unspecified etiology.

Pulmicort for a cough in a child is prescribed in the form of inhalations using a special compressor inhaler. Such procedures are effective for dry cough, inflammation of the larynx (laryngitis), maintenance treatment of bronchial asthma, if the use of nebulization inhalers is impossible. It is not advisable to use the drug during an acute attack of asthma. For inhalation, Budesonide is diluted with saline solution.

The doctor selects an effective dose for the child individually, based on his medical history. According to the instructions, the minimum daily dose for starting treatment for children from 6 months and adolescents up to 12 years is 0.25 mg. In some cases, pediatricians prescribe Pulmicort to infants from 3 months. If the response to initiation of treatment with the drug is positive, the dose of inhaled corticosteroids can be increased to 1 mg/day.

The frequency of procedures depends on the dosage. For a minimum dose of 0.25 mg, you can breathe through a nebulizer once a day. Increasing the amount of the drug requires switching to 2 or 3 times a day inhalations, while the medicinal solution must be re-diluted before each procedure. Be sure to give your child inhalation at night in the evening before bed.

The active substance of the drug penetrates faster to target cells due to preliminary inhalation of beta-adrenergic stimulants, so therapy with an inhaled hormonal agent gives positive results even in severe forms of the disease after 3 days. If longer therapy is required to completely eliminate symptoms, the use of glucocorticosteroids is permitted in the absence of side effects. Containers remaining after the course should be stored in packaging with instructions, avoiding direct exposure to the sun.

Pulmicort therapy is not prescribed to children under 6 months of age and to patients who have been identified as individual intolerant to the drug or immune to its action. In addition, Pulmicort inhalations cannot be used for:

• pulmonary tuberculosis in the active phase;
• damage to the respiratory system by fungal infections;
• severe liver diseases.

Advantages of the drug

Pulmicort is considered a potent medicine that is often prescribed for the treatment of respiratory pathologies. According to Dr. Komarovsky, it is safe for children if used correctly as directed by a specialist. Pulmonologists recommend inhalations with Pulmicort for children and adults due to the following advantages:

• lack of habituation effect in long-term treatment;
• effective relief of bronchospasm, literally in a few hours;
• no risk of negative interactions with medications as part of complex therapy;
• penetration directly into the bronchi - the effectiveness of inhalations for dry and wet coughs is greater compared to tablets and drops;
• minimal impact on internal organs;
• admissibility of breathing the product during pregnancy and lactation.

Adverse reactions

The annotation for the drug specifically notes the following side effects on the body:

• headaches, dizziness;
• nausea, vomiting of stomach contents, which occurs immediately after using the medicine;
• angioedema of the skin;
• small and large rash on the arms and legs, also on the stomach and chest;
• apathy, depressive moods;
• colonization of the oral cavity by candida, causing thrush of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa;
• change in shade, drying and irritation of mucous membranes;
• hoarseness in the voice, swelling of the vocal cords;
• spasm of small bronchi, bronchioles;
• the appearance of ulcers inside the cheeks, on the tongue.

With high doses of the drug, the cough begins to intensify. If side effects develop from Pulmicort, urgent medical attention is required. When, when the dose of the drug is reduced, the pathogenic reactions partially subside, the doctor replaces Pulmicort with analogues, realizing that the deterioration of the condition was associated with inappropriate treatment.

Alcohol, even in minimal quantities, is prohibited during treatment with Pulmicort. The drug can be used with antibiotics strictly as directed by a specialist.

Feature of the drug

The drug "Pulmicort" is manufactured in Sweden. It is intended for the prevention and basic treatment of asthma of any type, if the disease requires treatment with hormonal drugs. Also, the indication for the use of the drug is chronic lung disease.

The medicine helps to quickly stop asthma attacks, restore breathing and get rid of cough. The advantage of inhalation with Pulmicort is the possibility of using it for young children, who often suffer from laryngitis, bronchitis, and also have a high predisposition to allergies that provoke bronchospasm.

Despite the fact that the solution is a hormonal drug, it can be used for a long time. It is not addictive, is well tolerated, and is also often used in pediatric practice.

Pulmicort price

The cost of Pulmicort is influenced by the pricing policy of the selling companies, the number of doses in one container, the type of product and the concentration of the active component . In Moscow pharmacies the price of the drug will be:

Interaction with other drugs

Systemic exposure to a is minimal, since its metabolites are practically undetectable in the blood. However, combined use with estrogens increases the systemic exposure of the drugs. To enhance the therapeutic effect of inhalations, drugs to dilate the bronchi may be prescribed. No other interactions of Pulmicort have been described.

Pulmicort is not contraindicated with other drugs

Use during pregnancy

Inhalation of Pulmicort during pregnancy is not harmful

Many doctors claim that budesonide does not have a teratogenic effect, so inhalation of Pulmicort does not harm either children or expectant mothers. Despite such statements, clinical trials have not been conducted on this matter, so the use of the medication is advisable if the benefits of taking it outweigh the possible risk to the baby.

As for the lactation period, there is also no data on the negative effects of budesonide on a child during this period. Although the drug itself passes into mother's milk. When breastfeeding, doctors allow the use of Pulmicort inhalations. In any case, during pregnancy and lactation, the dosage of the drug should be minimal, and inhalations should be as infrequent as possible.

Compound

The drug is available in pharmacies in 2 versions: turbuhaler and suspension.
The second one is most convenient for evaporation in a nebulizer, which will make therapeutic inhalations more effective. The concentrated active substance in solution is 250 mcg/ml. or 500 mcg/ml. The powder can be purchased in two dosage forms: 200 d. 0.1 mg. or 100 days of 0.2 mg. The packaging is a cardboard box. Pulmicort belongs to the class of artificially isolated glucocorticosteroids, where budesonide is the basic element. Additionally, the composition includes sodium citrate, citric acid, Polysorb-80, sodium salt.

Pulmicort for inhalation for children contains 0.25 mg of micronized Budesonide, which is the main active ingredient of systemic glucocorticosteroids. The auxiliary components that give the drug the form of a suspension are sodium chloride, disubstituted sodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), anhydrous citric acid, ethoxylated sorbitan 80.

Dosage and method of administration

According to the instructions, the initial dose for adults is 1-2 mg 2 times a day. For maintenance treatment - 1 mg 2 times a day. The doctor will tell you how many days to breathe Pulmicort for bronchitis. The maximum dose of 4 mg per day can be taken for no longer than 3 days.

For inhalation, only compressor nebulizers can be used. Ultrasonic devices create low pressure, which is not enough to spray the substance.

Rules for using the solution:

• children need to breathe through a mask, adults can use a mouthpiece;
• shake the container with liquid before use;
• the suspension must be diluted with saline in a ratio of 1:1;
• the capsule of the device should be filled with 4 ml or slightly less;
• before starting inhalation, you must make sure that the nebulizer mask fits tightly to your face;
• During the procedure, you need to inhale evenly through your mouth, exhale through your nose for 10 minutes, for children - 2 minutes;
• after inhalation, be sure to rinse your mouth with a soda solution and wash your face to remove particles of the drug from the skin;
• the contents of an open container must be consumed within 12 hours;
• The open nebula is stored in a dark place.

The suspension cannot be diluted with boiled water, but can be combined with other solutions. Washing and rinsing is necessary to prevent side effects - the appearance of fungus in the mouth and irritation on the skin. Children can drink clean water.

Acute inflammation of the bronchi is relieved by inhalation with the addition of sodium chloride. Apply the product 2 times a day, morning and evening. Under medical supervision, inhalations can be carried out longer, but with less suspension.

The daily dose of Pulmicort Turbuhaler is 200-800 mcg. For severe asthma attacks, it is permissible to take 1600 mcg per day.

The peculiarity of the inhaler is that the powder is supplied using a dosing disk. How to use the inhaler:

• unscrew the cap;
• lower the bottle with the dosing disc down;
• turn the disk in one direction as far as possible, and then back until it stops;
• exhale;
• insert the mouthpiece into the mouth;
• take a deep, strong breath;
• remove the inhaler from your mouth and hold your breath;
• close the cap.

A strong exhalation will allow you to take a deep breath so that the medicine reaches the bronchi and lungs. Shallow inhalation will cause the substance to settle in the throat or mouth. As a result, the drug will not work, and a fungus will develop on the mucous membrane.

How to carry out the procedure correctly

To carry out the procedure with Pulmicort suspension for inhalation, you need to take a responsible approach to choosing the device itself. The ultrasonic option is not suitable for this purpose due to the large loss of beneficial properties when sprayed.

• Before use, the drug must be diluted with sodium chloride solution in equal parts.
• Shake the mini-container, open it and hold it upright.
• Carefully insert the nebulas directly into the inhaler and pour the contents into the desired compartment.

At the end of the session, you need to wash your face and rinse your mouth with boiled water and soda. An open package of Pulmicort for the nebulizer can only be stored for 12 hours at a temperature not exceeding 30 C. After this time, the drug cannot be used.

It is recommended to clean the tube and mask after each use, rinsing thoroughly with boiling water or wiping with a dry cotton cloth.