Intal Cfc-Free Inhaler 5mg Pressurised Inhalation Suspension
1. What Intal is and what it is used for
2. Before you use Intal
3. How to use Intal
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER Intal® CFC-free Inhaler 5mg Pressurised Inhalation Suspension (sodium cromoglicate)
Is this leaflet hard to see or read?
Phone 0845 372 7101 for help
Your medicine is known as the above but will be referred to as Intal throughout the remainder of this leaflet.
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you.
• Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
1. What Intal is and what it is used for
2. Before you use Intal
3. How to use Intal
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Intal
6. Further information
Intal CFC-free Inhaler (called Intal in this leaflet) contains a medicine called sodium cromoglicate. This belongs to a group of medicines called anti-allergics.
It works by having an effect deep in the air passages of your lungs. It also lowers your response when you are exposed to substances to which you are allergic.
Intal is used to help prevent asthma attacks and may be called a 'preventer':
• Intal will not help an asthma attack that has already started
• You will need to use a different inhaler, called a 'reliever', for these attacks (see Using a 'reliever' inhaler in Section 3)
Do not use this medicine and tell your doctor if:
X You are allergic (hypersensitive) to sodium cromoglicate or any of the other ingredients of Intal (listed in Section 6: Further information).
Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.
Do not use this medicine if the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Intal.
Take special care with Intal
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using your medicine if:
▲ You have recently stopped taking 'steroids' and your asthma is getting worse (see Taking other medicines below)
▲ You are suffering from stress, trauma, infections or other illnesses
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Intal.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines you buy without a prescription, including herbal medicines. This is because Intal can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some medicines can affect the way Intal works.
In particular, tell your doctor if you are also using a steroid medicine:
• This can be either an inhaler (such as beclometasone) or a tablet (such as prednisolone)
• If you are using a steroid as well as Intal, your doctor may decide to lower the amount of steroid taken or gradually stop the steroid altogether.
If your steroid treatment has been reduced or stopped and your asthma then gets worse you must tell your doctor straight away. They may wish to increase or re-start the steroid treatment.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Talk to your doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant, might become pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
If you are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.
Always use Intal exactly as your doctor has told you. You should
check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Using this medicine
• It is important to use this medicine every day, even if you have no signs of asthma
• This medicine is taken by breathing in through your mouth (see 'How to use your inhaler' below)
• You may need to use Intal for several weeks for it to work best
• Your asthma may get worse if you have an infection, are unwell or come into contact with anything to which you are allergic. If this happens, talk to a doctor straight away
• If you feel the effect of your medicine is too weak or too strong, do not change the dose yourself, but ask your doctor, especially if you think it is too weak
How much to use (adults, elderly and children)
• The starting dose is two puffs (inhalations) four times each day
• Taking puffs at meal times and at bedtime may help you to remember to use it
• When your asthma gets better, your doctor may suggest that you lower your daily dose to one puff four times each day
• Your doctor may also suggest you take an additional dose before exercise
• Sometimes when your asthma is bad or when you come into contact with anything to which you are allergic, your doctor may change how much you use. Your dose may be increased to two puffs six to eight times each day
Using a ‘reliever' inhaler
• If your doctor has advised you to use a 'reliever' inhaler at the same time as Intal, it is best to use your 'reliever' inhaler before using your Intal Inhaler. This will open the airways and allow the Intal to get down into them better
• Keep your 'reliever' inhaler at all times in case of a sudden attack or if your asthma gets worse. Talk to your doctor if it takes more puffs than usual from your 'reliever' inhaler to control your symptoms
How to use your Intal Inhaler (An adult should help small children
use their inhaler properly)
1 . Open
Remove the mouthpiece cover and check that the mouthpiece is clean.
2. Shake
Shake the inhaler well (at least 5 times).
• If you are using this inhaler for the first time, release 4 puffs into the air
• If the inhaler has not been used for more than 3 days, release 2 puffs into the air
3. Inhale
• Hold the inhaler upright with your thumb on the base
• Hold the inhaler well away from your mouth
• Breathe out as far as is comfortable
• DO NOT breathe out through the inhaler. This is to stop moisture from collecting and blocking the spray
• Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips tightly around it
• Start to breathe in slowly and deeply through your mouth then....
• Immediately press the metal canister down firmly to release a puff of medicine, while keeping breathing in slowly and deeply
4. Hold
• Remove the inhaler from your mouth and hold your breath for about 10 seconds or as long as is comfortable
• Breathe out slowly
5. Repeat
If your doctor has told you to take 2 puffs each time you use your inhaler:
• Wait for one minute after the first puff. Then repeat steps 3 to 4 once more
6. Close
After use, always replace the mouthpiece cover to keep out dust and fluff.
Important things to make sure you are using the inhaler properly
• Practice in front of a mirror or with a nurse, pharmacist or doctor from time to time. If you see a mist escaping from your mouth or around the sides of the canister you need to try to use your inhaler better:
• Be sure to have your lips closed properly around the mouthpiece
• Be sure to start breathing in before pressing the canister
• Adults should supervise the use of Intal in small children.
If you or a child use more Intal than you should
If you or a child uses more Intal than you should, talk to a doctor as soon as possible.
If you forget to use Intal
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. However, if it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop using Intal
Keep using Intal until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop using Intal just because you feel better. If you stop, your illness may get worse.
When your doctor says that you can stop using Intal, your dose will be lowered gradually over a week.