Formicort-ST Capsule

Formicort-ST Capsule is used to treat and prevent asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) like bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes) and emphysema (shortness of breath). Asthma is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty breathing. COPD is a group of lung diseases that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.

Formicort-ST Capsule combines two drugs: Salmeterol (bronchodilator) and Fluticasone propionate (corticosteroid). Salmeterol is a long-acting bronchodilator which works by relaxing the muscles in the airways and widening the airways. Thus, it makes breathing easier. Fluticasone propionate belongs to the class of corticosteroids that work by acting on the nasal lining's inner cells and stopping releasing certain chemicals in the body that cause inflammatory reactions. Thereby providing relief from sneezing, runny or blocked nose and sinus discomfort.

Formicort-ST Capsule is for inhalation only. Take Formicort-ST Capsule by inhaling the number of puffs as your doctor advises. Your doctor will recommend how often you take Formicort-ST Capsule based on your medical condition. Some people may experience headaches, stomach upset, dizziness, nervousness, vomiting, Respiratory tract infection, Fungal infection of the mouth, Hoarseness of voice, Sore throat, Cough, Musculoskeletal (bone, muscle or joint) pain, and Increased heart rate. Most of these side effects of Formicort-ST Capsule do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Formicort-ST Capsule or other ingredients. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before using Formicort-ST Capsule. Formicort-ST Capsule is not recommended for children below 12 years of age. Use of Formicort-ST Capsule may worsen asthma symptoms in some patients. If you experience severe difficulty breathing, please consult a doctor immediately to prescribe an alternative medicine. Your doctor will prescribe a short-acting inhaler to use during attacks. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, chest or lung infections, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), glaucoma, cataracts, osteoporosis (weak bones), tuberculosis, heart, liver or adrenal gland problems, inform your doctor before taking Formicort-ST Capsule.

Formicort-ST Capsule is used to treat and prevent respiratory disorders like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Formicort-ST Capsule improves pulmonary function and effectively treats and prevents the worsening of emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes). Formicort-ST Capsule is a combination of two drugs: Salmeterol and Fluticasone propionate, which is used to treat asthma symptoms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Salmeterol belongs to the class of bronchodilators that relax muscles and widen the lungs' airways. Thus, it makes breathing easier. Fluticasone propionate belongs to the class of corticosteroids that work by acting on the nasal lining's inner cells and stopping the release of certain chemicals in the body that cause inflammatory reactions. Thereby providing relief from sneezing, runny or blocked nose and sinus discomfort.

• Low fever
• Chest tightness
• Fungal infection in the mouth
• Sinus pain
• Nausea
• Stomach upset
• Dizziness
• Nervousness
• Muscle and bone pain
• Sleep problems
• Vomiting or irregular heartbeat

Please tell your doctor if you are allergic to Formicort-ST Capsule or other ingredients. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before using Formicort-ST Capsule. Formicort-ST Capsule is not recommended for children below 12 years of age. Use of Formicort-ST Capsule may worsen asthma symptoms in some patients. If you experience severe difficulty breathing, please consult a doctor immediately so that alternative medicine may be prescribed. Contact your doctor if you have blurred vision or any other vision disturbances while taking Formicort-ST Capsule. Regular monitoring of potassium levels is recommended while taking Formicort-ST Capsule as it may cause low potassium levels in the blood. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, chest or lungs infection, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), glaucoma, cataracts, osteoporosis (weak bones), tuberculosis, heart, liver or adrenal gland problems, inform your doctor before taking Formicort-ST Capsule.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Formicort-ST Capsule may interact with bronchodilators (salbutamol, aminophylline, theophylline), steroids (budesonide, prednisone, mometasone, beclomethasone), heart-related medicines (sotalol, digoxin, disopyramide, procainamide, quinidine), drugs used to treat Hodgkin’s disease (procarbazine), water pills (furosemide), antibiotics (telithromycin, furazolidone, clarithromycin), drugs used to lower high blood pressure (atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol), medicines to induce labour (oxytocin), antithyroid agent (levothyroxine), antidepressants (imipramine, amitriptyline, isocarboxazid, phenelzine), antifungals (itraconazole, ketoconazole), HIV medicines (atazanavir, ritonavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, cobicistat, saquinavir) and antiparkinson drug (levodopa).

Drug-Food Interactions: Formicort-ST Capsule may interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Therefore, avoid grapefruit or its juice with Formicort-ST Capsule as it may lead to severe adverse effects.

Drug-Disease Interactions: If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, chest or lungs infection, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), glaucoma, cataracts, osteoporosis (weak bones), tuberculosis, heart, liver or adrenal gland problems, inform your doctor before taking Formicort-ST Capsule.

• AMITRIPTYLINE
• RITONAVIR
• INDINAVIR
• LEVODOPA
• PROCARBAZINE
• SAQUINAVIR
• SALBUTAMOL
• DIGOXIN
• SOTALOL
• PROCAINAMIDE
• FUROSEMIDE
• PREDNISONE
• BECLOMETASONE
• TELITHROMYCIN
• IMIPRAMINE
• ATENOLOL
• OXYTOCIN
• PHENELZINE
• KETOCONAZOLE

• Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to strengthen your breathing muscles and boost your immune system.

• Avoid foods such as cabbage, beans, garlic, onions, shrimp, pickled food, dried fruits, fried foods, carbonated drinks, wine, and bottled lemon and lime juice, as it may worsen asthma symptoms.

• Do meditation, deep breathing, regular exercise, and try progressive muscle relaxation techniques to relieve stress and reduce an asthma attack risk.

• Quit smoking may reduce the effectiveness of the Formicort-ST Capsule and irritate the lungs' worsening breathing problem.

• Learning breathing exercises will help you move more air in and out of your lungs.

• Your doctor may regularly monitor your blood potassium level as low oxygen level in the blood (hypoxia), and medicines such as Salmeterol + Fluticasone Propionate can lower blood potassium level.

• Be advised to carry an inhaler prescribed by your doctor to use in a sudden asthma attack.

Asthma: It is a breathing problem in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty breathing.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make breathing difficult. The most common COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Emphysema: It is a lung condition that causes shortness of breath.

Chronic Bronchitis: A lung disease associated with inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs.