In the article, we consider the instructions for use and analogues for the drug “Foradil”.
Medications Foradil and Foradil Combi are bronchodilators. Their active ingredient is formoterol, a selective beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist with prolonged exposure. This chemical element has a bronchodilating property, which manifests itself in both irreversible and reversible obstruction of the respiratory canals.
When is the effect?
The clinical effect occurs 1-3 minutes after the inhalation of drugs. Therapeutic dosages of the active substance have a minimal effect on the cardiovascular system, which is observed in extremely rare cases.
The bronchodilator efficacy of drugs is due to the ability of formoterol to suppress the release of mast cells of allergy mediators and leukotrienes from mast cells. In addition, their anti-inflammatory properties are manifested in an obstacle to the development of puffiness and the accumulation of cells, which are mediators of the inflammatory process.
It has been found to be highly effective when using the preparations “Foradil” and “Foradil combi” in order to prevent the development of bronchospasm caused by physical exertion, inhalation of excessively cold air or allergens, histamine or methacholine. In most patients with chronic lung pathologies, the prolonged severity of the bronchodilating properties of medications provides proper control of bronchospasm when prescribing funds for maintenance treatment 2 times a day.
With a stable course of chronic obstructive disease, the main element of these drugs provides a bronchodilating effect, subjectively improving the patient's condition.
Analogues of “Foradil” should be selected by a doctor.
Structure
Both medicines are in the form of capsules with powder for inhalation. It contains the active substance formoterol, which is a selective agonist of beta2-adrenergic receptors of the respiratory canals, mainly the bronchi. The effect on these receptors helps to relax the muscles of the walls of the bronchi with the expansion of their lumen.
The composition of “Foradil combi”
The drug “Foradil Combi”, unlike the usual “Foradil”, also contains an additional substance - budesonide, a derivative of glucocorticosteroids. It has a strong anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic effect, reduces the severity of the immune response, but has no systemic effect.
After inhalation of this medication, the active elements are adsorbed on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, where they have a therapeutic effect, without being absorbed into the systemic circulation.
Analogs of “Foradil” consider below.
Oksis Turbuhaler
Swedish pharmacological agent, which is a selective beta2-adrenergic agonist. It has a bronchodilator effect in patients with a reversible form of airway obstruction. After using the drug in a single dosage, the therapeutic effect is observed quickly (1-3 min.) And lasts an average of 12 hours. This analogue of “Foradil” is prescribed for bronchial asthma in the treatment of corticosteroids in order to maintain the patient’s condition, to eliminate bronchospasm attacks and for prevention attacks provoked by physical exertion. Medication is contraindicated for children under 6 years of age, as well as with increased sensitivity to lactose or formoterol.
Ascoril
Bronchodilator Indian-made. Bromhexidine as part of this medication plays the role of a mucolytic, which has an antitussive and expectorant effect. This component increases the volume of sputum, reduces its viscosity and accelerates the elimination process. Salbutamol is a bronchodilator that prevents and eliminates bronchospasm. This element helps to expand the lumen of the coronary arteries, without lowering blood pressure. Guaifenesin, also present in the composition of this drug, has a mucolytic effect, which activates the transition of dry cough to wet. The Foradil analogue is used in combination therapy of diseases that are accompanied by the formation of viscous sputum in bronchial asthma, obstructive bronchitis, pneumonia, emphysema, tracheobronchitis, tuberculosis, whooping cough, etc. This drug is contraindicated in tachyarrhythmia, heart defects, myocarditis, diabetes mellitus , thyrotoxicosis, gastric bleeding, glaucoma, peptic ulcer, liver failure, high blood pressure, under the age of 6 years, as well as with lactation and pregnancy.
Berotek
The German medication, which stimulates β-2 adrenoreceptors in the organs of the respiratory system, inhibits the release of inflammatory mediators and allergies from mast cells, thereby preventing the development of bronchial obstruction. This medical tool prevents the development of spasms in the bronchi of various origin. It begins to act 5 minutes after inhalation. The maximum therapeutic effect is noted after 30-60 minutes and lasts up to 6 hours. In addition to respiratory organs, β-adrenergic receptors are present in the heart muscle. Accordingly, this medication also affects the functioning of the cardiovascular system: it increases the frequency and strength of heart contractions, enhances peripheral circulation and systemic blood flow.

Indications for the appointment of the drug "Berotek" are the elimination of bronchospasm and asthma attacks that occur against the background of asthma. It is also used in the symptomatic treatment of asthma attacks and other pathologies characterized by reversible reduction of the bronchi, to prevent asthmatic attacks that occur during physical exertion, if necessary, expand the airways before inhalation with other medications, and when conducting bronchodilation tests to study the performance of external respiration. This medicine is contraindicated for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, tachyarrhythmias, diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis, glaucoma, aortic stenosis, heart defects, and increased sensitivity.
The analogue of Foradil Combi is also the drug Seretide. It has an anti-asthmatic, bronchodilating, anti-inflammatory effect. Contraindicated in children under 4 years.
Salmecort can be considered a cheap analogue of Foradil Combi 12/400. It is prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of bronchial asthma to those patients for whom therapy with inhaled glucocorticosteroids is contraindicated. And also for the initial maintenance therapy for asthma of the bronchial type, for the quick elimination of the symptoms of this disease and as a maintenance therapy for COPD.
Among the Russian analogues of “Foradil” and “Foradil combi” the following can be noted:
Indications
Powders for inhalation "Foradil Combi" and "Foradil" are intended for the treatment of asthma attacks, characterized by a severe course, not amenable to control with glucocorticosteroids of systemic effects and short-acting beta2-agonists. If necessary, these medications are prescribed for additional asthma therapy, which is controlled by glucocorticosteroids and beta2-agonists. In addition, the drugs are used to treat obstructive pulmonary disease in a chronic course, in which bronchodilation is observed in response to the use of glucocorticosteroids.
Contraindications
The use of these pharmacological agents is contraindicated in the following conditions:
- cases of individual intolerance to formoterol, budesonide or additional elements of drugs;
- pulmonary tuberculosis in the active phase of the course;
- impaired carbohydrate absorption, lactase deficiency;
- age up to 6 years;
- lactation.
Side effects
During the therapeutic course, capsules for inhalation of “Foradil Combi” and “Foradil” may cause unwanted actions of the following nature:
- periodic nausea, taste disturbance;
- headache, hand tremor, anxiety, excessive irritability, insomnia, dizziness, decreased mood;
- discomfort in the form of increased palpitations, tachycardia, peripheral edema;
- irritation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, cough, candidiasis of the oral cavity, hoarseness of the voice;
- myalgia, cramps, decreased bone density;
- decreased adrenal function;
- skin rash, itching, urticaria, swelling of the soft tissues of the face and genitals, decreased pressure.
The onset of symptoms of pathological phenomena is the basis for the cancellation of these medications and a visit to a doctor.
Reviews
To date, bronchial asthma has become a fairly common pathological condition, which is increasingly observed not only among elderly patients, but also among young people and children. Perhaps this is due to environmental degradation or other factors. Nevertheless, the use of medications for the development of bronchospasm is now very important.
There are a lot of reviews about such medicines as “Foradil” and “Foradil Combi”, and Russian analogues of these funds. Patients note that these medicines act approximately the same and are able to quickly stop bronchospasm and ease the respiratory process with the development of an attack provoked by increased physical exertion. Such drugs, according to patients, are a vital necessity and should always be available in people with asthma, otherwise their life will be in jeopardy.
Analogues cheaper than “Foradil Combi” do not cause adverse reactions in most cases, with the exception of their use in the early stages of therapy, when many patients have a feeling of irritation in the throat. Another symptom may be an unproductive cough, which disappears some time after the introduction of drugs into the respiratory tract.
We have reviewed the instructions for use and analogues for Foradil and Foradil Combi.