Indacaterol for COPD

About indacaterol

Indacaterol is called a bronchodilator, as it widens (dilates) your airways. It is intended to be used regularly to relieve airways-related problems in people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It works by opening up the air passages in your lungs so that air can flow into your lungs more freely. This helps to ease symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and feeling breathless.

Use indacaterol every day. It is a long-acting bronchodilator, which means that it works throughout the day. It is prescribed to reduce your symptoms over the long term - it is not a rescue treatment for sudden breathlessness.

One brand of indacaterol inhaler (called Ultibro®) also contains another bronchodilator medicine called glycopyrronium. Indacaterol is also available with a corticosteroid called mometasone in the brand Atectura®. You could be prescribed one of these combination brands to help reduce the number of inhalers you need to use.

Before using indacaterol

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start using indacaterol it is important that your doctor knows:

• Wenn Sie Probleme mit dem Herzen oder den Blutgefäßen haben oder wenn Sie einen unregelmäßigen Herzschlag haben.

• Wenn Sie unter hohem Blutdruck leiden.

• Wenn Sie eine Schilddrüsenüberfunktion haben.

• Wenn Sie Diabetes (Diabetes mellitus) haben.

• Wenn Ihnen ein Arzt mitgeteilt hat, dass Sie einen niedrigen Kaliumspiegel im Blut haben.

• If you have fits, or epilepsy.

• Wenn Sie Probleme mit der Funktionsweise Ihrer Leber haben.

• Wenn Sie schwanger sind, ein Kind erwarten oder stillen. Es ist nämlich besonders wichtig, dass Ihre Atmung gut kontrolliert ist, wenn Sie schwanger sind.

• Wenn Sie andere Arzneimittel einnehmen. Dazu gehören alle Arzneimittel, die Sie einnehmen und die rezeptfrei erhältlich sind, sowie pflanzliche und ergänzende Arzneimittel.

• Wenn Sie schon einmal eine allergische Reaktion auf ein Arzneimittel hatten.

How to use indacaterol

• Before using the inhaler device, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about indacaterol, a diagram to remind you how to use and clean your inhaler device and a full list of side-effects which you could experience from using it.

• Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and make sure that you know how to use your inhaler properly. If you are not sure, ask your nurse, doctor or pharmacist to show you.

• Use the inhaler regularly, once every day. There are two strengths of Onbrez® capsules - 150 mg and 300 mg. Your doctor will tell you which dose is right for you. Just as a reminder - the capsules must not be swallowed. They are to be used with the inhaler device only.

• Try to use your inhaler at the same time each day, as this will help you to remember to use it regularly. If you ever forget to use the inhaler at your usual time, use it as soon as you remember. However, if you do not remember until the following day, do not 'double up' your next dose to make up for the forgotten one.

Instructions for using the inhaler device

1. Remove the cap. Hold the base of the inhaler device and tilt the mouthpiece. This opens the inhaler.

2. Take a capsule from the blister packaging and put it into the capsule chamber of the inhaler. Close the inhaler - you will hear it click.

3. Hold the inhaler upright and press both side buttons at the same time. You should hear a click as the capsule is pierced. Then release the side buttons.

4. Breathe out and then put the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips firmly around it.

5. Breathe in deeply and hold your breath for around 5-10 seconds. Then breathe out.

6. Remove the empty capsule, close the inhaler and then replace the cap.

Das Beste aus Ihrer Behandlung herausholen

• Versuchen Sie, Ihre regelmäßigen Termine bei Ihrem Arzt einzuhalten. So kann Ihr Arzt Ihren Zustand regelmäßig überprüfen.

• Rauchen Sie nicht. Rauchen reizt und schädigt die Lunge und verschlimmert Ihren Zustand. Sprechen Sie mit Ihrem Arzt oder der Krankenschwester in der Praxis, wenn Sie Schwierigkeiten haben, mit dem Rauchen aufzuhören.

• If you find that your symptoms are getting worse, continue to use your inhaler but also contact your doctor or nurse for further advice.

• If you have diabetes you may need to check your blood glucose more frequently, as the inhaler could affect the levels of sugar in your blood. Your doctor will advise you about this.

Can indacaterol cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with indacaterol. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your inhaler device. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Wenn Sie andere Symptome bemerken, von denen Sie glauben, dass sie auf das Inhalationsgerät zurückzuführen sind, wenden Sie sich bitte an Ihren Arzt oder Apotheker, um weiteren Rat einzuholen.

How to store indacaterol

• Bewahren Sie alle Arzneimittel außerhalb der Reichweite und Sichtweite von Kindern auf.

• An einem kühlen, trockenen Ort aufbewahren, vor direkter Hitze und Licht schützen.
  

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