Dulera is a brand name asthma medication that is a combination of two active ingredients: mometasone furoate, an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), and formoterol fumarate dihydrate, a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA). Mometasone furoate works by reducing inflammation in the airways of the lungs, which can help to prevent asthma symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing.
Formoterol fumarate works by relaxing the muscles in the airways, which can help to open them up and make breathing easier. These two medications work well together as a maintenance treatment that helps people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) improve lung function and reduce symptoms over time. While Dulera is an inhaled medication, it is not intended for use as a rescue inhaler during an asthma attack or for use as a method of immediate relief for asthma symptoms.
Is there a generic version of Dulera?
Dulera is not currently available in generic form. By definition, a generic drug must have the same amount of the same active ingredient and be identical to the brand name counterpart in both potency and efficacy. Generic medications containing the individual components of Dulera are available from several manufacturers, but the metered dose inhaler combination medication is still only available as its brand name.
Dulera vs Advair
Dulera and Advair are two similar but different prescription combination medications that are used to treat people who have asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Both medications contain different versions of two active ingredients: a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) and an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).
Dulera contains the LABA formoterol and the ICS mometasone, while Advair contains the LABA salmeterol and the ICS fluticasone. Advair is approved to treat people aged 4 and over, while Dulera is indicated for the treatment of people aged 12 and over. These medications also require different doses and have a few different side effects. As for difference in cost, Advair tends to be more expensive in general.
Dulera Long Term Side Effects
Like all medications, Dulera has the potential to cause side effects, some of which may be long-term. Possible long term side effects of Dulera may include the following:
- Increased risk of infections: Dulera can weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of infections such as pneumonia, thrush, and viral infections.
- Adrenal suppression: The mometasone in Dulera can suppress the function of the adrenal glands, which produce hormones that regulate various bodily functions. This can lead to adrenal insufficiency, a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough of these hormones. Symptoms may include fatigue, muscle weakness, weight loss, and low blood pressure.
- Osteoporosis: Long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids like mometasone can lead to bone loss and osteoporosis. This is more likely to occur in women, smokers, and people who have a family history of osteoporosis.
- Glaucoma and cataracts: Long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids like mometasone can increase the risk of glaucoma and cataracts, which can lead to vision problems.
- Growth suppression in children: In rare cases, long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids like mometasone can lead to growth suppression in children.
Dulera Withdrawal Symptoms
If you stop taking Dulera suddenly or decrease your dose too quickly, there is a potential that you will experience withdrawal from Dulera. One of Dulera’s active ingredients is a long-acting bronchodilator called formoterol that can cause physical dependence when used regularly over a long period of time. Since Dulera is a long term maintenance medication, there is a risk that physical dependence can happen.
Symptoms of Dulera withdrawal may include:
- Wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness
- Coughing
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle pain or weakness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Anxiety or irritability
- Insomnia
To minimize the risk of withdrawal symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor before stopping Dulera or making any changes to your dose. Your doctor can help you develop a plan for tapering off the medication gradually and safely. They may also recommend other treatments to manage your asthma or COPD symptoms during the withdrawal process.
Dulera Cost
When compared to other asthma inhalers on the market, Dulera can be considered relatively expensive. As with all medications, the cost of Dulera can vary based on numerous factors like dosage, pharmacy, location, and insurance coverage. Specific prices for medications can be hard to determine, but eNavvi is helping to make that information more accessible.
You can use eNavvi to check what the cost of dulera would be with your location specific health plan.
Disclaimer
The information included in this page is not a substitute for medical advice. The list of side effects may not include all side effects as drugs can affect all people differently. Any dosage information may not include all dosage information. It is important to discuss with a medical professional that knows your medical history well which dosage is right for you and if there are any potential risks or possible side effects. Our goal is to provide relevant information but this page may not include all up-to-date information.