Budesonide is a steroid that reduces inflammation in the body.

Formoterol is a bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways to improve breathing.

The combination of budesonide and formoterol is used to prevent bronchospasm in people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Budesonide and formoterol inhalation may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not use budesonide and formoterol inhalation to treat an asthma attack that has already begun.

Budesonide and formoterol inhalation may increase the risk of asthma-related death. Use only the prescribed dose of budesonide and formoterol, and do not use it for longer than your doctor recommends. Follow all patient instructions for safe use. Talk with your doctor about your individual risks and benefits in using this medication.

Use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Talk with your doctor if your medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing attacks. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

Before using budesonide and formoterol, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, a seizure disorder, an infection (including herpes infection of the eyes), diabetes, tuberculosis, a thyroid disorder, or an electrolyte imbalance (such as low potassium levels in your blood).

Seek medical attention if you think any of your asthma medications are not working as well as usual. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack. If you use a peak flow meter at home, call your doctor if your numbers are lower than normal.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to budesonide (Entocort, Pulmicort, Rhinocort) or formoterol (Foradil, Perforomist).

To make sure you can safely use budesonide and formoterol, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• heart disease or high blood pressure;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• diabetes;

• herpes infection of the eyes;

• tuberculosis;

• any active infection;

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low potassium levels in your blood); or

• a thyroid disorder.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether budesonide and formoterol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

Budesonide can pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use budesonide and formoterol inhalation without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Budesonide can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medication.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 12 years old.

Long-term use of steroids may lead to bone loss (osteoporosis), especially if you smoke, if you do not exercise, if you do not get enough vitamin D or calcium in your diet, or if you have a family history of osteoporosis.