Qvar Autohaler is used to prevent the symptoms of mild, moderate or severe asthma. The chief active ingredient present in the autohaler is beclometasone dipropionate. The active ingredient works deep into the lungs to make breathing easier in case of asthma patients. It helps reduce the irritation, inflammation and swelling in the respiratory airways. Qvar Autohaler is a “preventer” rather than a “reliever.” That is, it does not help provide immediate relief in case of a sudden asthma attack. Instead, it should be regularly taken by the asthma patients as a prevention remedy. Inform the GP up front in case you are taking medicines like Disulfiram or Metronidazole beforehand. Do not start the treatment with Qvar Autohaler until you have informed the GP about all previous medications. Avoid taking Qvar Autohaler in case you are suffering from tuberculosis. In case you are allergic to inhalers, you should inform your GP before he prescribes Qvar Autohaler. In case of women, inform the GP in case you are pregnant or breastfeeding. You should also inform in case you are planning pregnancy soon. The GP might want to change the Qvar Autohaler dosage or the entire course of treatment. Inform the GP in case you start feeling unwell or develop rashes, eczema, runny nose or sneezing while shifting from steroid tablets to inhaler. However, do not stop taking Qvar Autohaler by yourself without informing the GP.
Qvar Autohaler might cause the common side effects in some patients. Use a reliever inhaler in case you feed wheezy or tight-chested after taking the puff. In such cases, immediately contact the GP. Stop using the inhaler in case you experience an allergic reaction in the form of swelling around the mouth, lips, face or neck, hives, rash, or difficulty breathing. Get in touch with the GP as soon as possible. High doses taken for a prolonged period of time may cause several side effects likes bone thinning, blurred vision or loss of vision. If you feel any of the effects like abdominal pain, weakness or vomiting, then you should consult your GP. However, you should keep using the inhaler. Various other side effects like hoarseness of voice, a sore mouth, headache, or sleeping problems may result in some rare cases. You are advised to consult the doctor under such circumstances.
Qvar Autohaler should be always taken as directed by the GP. Do not increase or decrease the dosage without consulting the GP or pharmacist. This inhaler has a softer feel and a different taste as compared to other inhalers due to the presence of an aerosol. It allows each dose to be delivered to your lungs. This inhaler may be prescribed in lower doses than the inhalers that you may have used earlier. The dosage of this medicine is different, based on the severity of the condition. Ideally, for mild to moderate asthma the starting dose is 1 puff twice a day and can be increased to two puffs twice a day. For severe asthma patients the starting dose is two puffs twice a day, which can be increased to four puffs twice a day. However the maximum dose is a total of 8 puffs a day. Qvar Autohaler is not recommended for children below 12 years of age. To use the inhaler, take the cover off the mouthpiece by pulling down the lip at the back. Now, hold the inhaler device upright and push the lever so that it stays up. Breathe out completely and then place the mouthpiece in the mouth. Seal your lips around it. Breathe in slowly through the mouthpiece. Hold the breath for 10 second and breathe out slowly. Lowe the lever after each puff and repeat. In case you feel that your treatment is not working and you need to increase the number of puffs, consult the GP. It is important to take the doses as prescribed by the GP. Inform the GP immediately in case you inhale the medicine in an amount greater than the prescribed dosage. If you forget to use the inhaler at the usual time, take your recommended number of puffs as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for the next dosage. You should never take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Qvar Autohaler works deep in the lungs to make breathing easier by reducing the inflammation, swelling and irritation in the airways. Qvar Autohaler works as a “preventer” to reduce the severity of symptoms in patients with mild, moderate or severe asthma. The chief active ingredient, beclometasone dipropionate, is a corticosteroid. Such chemicals are known to reduce the inflammation and swelling, thus making it easier for the air to pass through the airways. The smooth flow of oxygen through the airways, thus helps prevent symptoms associated with that of an asthma attack, including short breath, coughing and congestion. Keep the medicine away from heat, frost and flame and do not expose it to direct sunlight. Storing the medicine at temperatures exceeding 25 degrees Celsius may reduce its effectiveness. Make sure to check the expiry date of the medicine before using it. In case it has crossed the date of expiry, do not dispose the medicine along with waste water or household waste. The canister used in the inhaler is pressurized. Therefore, make sure not to puncture or burn it, even if it seems empty.
