Patient leaflet - Atectura Breezhaler 125 micrograms / 260 micrograms inhalation powder hard capsules
1. What Atectura Breezhaler is and what it is used for
What Atectura Breezhaler is and how it works
Atectura Breezhaler contains two active substances called indacaterol and mometasone furoate.
Indacaterol belongs to a group of medicines called bronchodilators. It relaxes the muscles of the small airways in the lungs. This helps to open the airways and makes it easier for air to get in and out of the lungs. When it is taken regularly, it helps the small airways to remain open.
Mometasone furoate belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids (or steroids). Corticosteroids reduce the swelling and irritation (inflammation) in the small airways in the lungs and so gradually ease breathing problems. Corticosteroids also help to prevent attacks of asthma.
What Atectura Breezhaler is used for
Atectura Breezhaler is used regularly as treatment for asthma in adults and adolescents (12 years of age and older).
Asthma is a serious, long-term lung disease where the muscles surrounding the smaller airways become tight (bronchoconstriction) and inflamed. Symptoms come and go and include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness and cough.
You should use Atectura Breezhaler every day and not only when you have breathing problems or other symptoms of asthma. This will ensure that it controls your asthma properly. Do not use this medicine to relieve a sudden attack of breathlessness or wheezing.
If you have any questions about how Atectura Breezhaler works or why this medicine has been prescribed for you, ask your doctor.
2. What you need to know before you use Atectura Breezhaler
Follow all the doctor’s instructions carefully.
Do not use Atectura Breezhaler
- if you are allergic to indacaterol, mometasone furoate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). If you think you may be allergic, ask your doctor for advice.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Atectura Breezhaler if any of the following applies to you:
- if you have heart problems, including an irregular or fast heartbeat.
- if you have thyroid gland problems.
- if you have ever been told you have diabetes or high blood sugar.
- if you suffer from seizures or fits.
- if you have a low level of potassium in your blood.
- if you have severe liver problems.
- if you have tuberculosis (TB) of the lung, or any long-standing or untreated infections.
During treatment with Atectura Breezhaler
Stop using this medicine and get medical help immediately if you have any of the following:
tightness of the chest, coughing, wheezing or breathlessness immediately after using Atectura
Breezhaler (signs the medicine is unexpectedly tightening the airways, known as paradoxical bronchospasm).
- difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the tongue, lips or face, skin rash, itching and hives (signs of allergic reaction).
Children and adolescents
Do not give this medicine to children below 12 years of age because it has not been studied in this age group.
Other medicines and Atectura Breezhaler
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines. In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using:
- medicines that decrease the level of potassium in your blood. These include diuretics (which increase urine production and can be used to treat high blood pressure, e.g. hydrochlorothiazide), other bronchodilators such as methylxanthines used for breathing problems (e.g. theophylline) or corticosteroids (e.g. prednisolone).
- tricyclic antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (medicines used in the treatment of depression).
any medicines that may be similar to Atectura Breezhaler (contain similar active substances);
using them together may increase the risk of possible side effects.
medicines called beta blockers used to treat high blood pressure or other heart problems (e.g.
propranolol) or to treat glaucoma (e.g. timolol).
- ketoconazole or itraconazole (medicines used to treat fungal infections)
- ritonavir, nelfinavir or cobicistat (medicines used to treat HIV infection).
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine. Your doctor will discuss with you whether you can use Atectura Breezhaler.
Driving and using machines
It is unlikely that this medicine will affect your ability to drive and use machines.
Atectura Breezhaler contains lactose
This medicine contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
3. How to use Atectura Breezhaler
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
How much Atectura Breezhaler to inhale
There are three different strengths of Atectura Breezhaler capsules. Your doctor will decide which is best for you.
The usual dose is to inhale the content of one capsule each day. You only need to use the medicine once a day. Do not use more than your doctor tells you to use.
You should use Atectura Breezhaler every day, even when your asthma is not troubling you.
When to inhale Atectura Breezhaler
Inhale Atectura Breezhaler at the same time each day. This will help control your symptoms throughout the day and night. It will also help you to remember to use it.
How to inhale Atectura Breezhaler
- Atectura Breezhaler is for inhalation use.
- In this pack, you will find an inhaler and capsules that contain the medicine. The inhaler enables you to inhale the medicine in the capsule. Only use the capsules with the inhaler provided in this pack. The capsules should remain in the blister until you need to use them.
- Peel the backing away from the blister to open it, do not push the capsule through the foil.
- When you start a new pack, use the new inhaler supplied in this new pack.
- Dispose of the inhaler in each pack after all capsules in that pack have been used.
- Do not swallow the capsules.
- Please read the instructions for use on the other side of this leaflet for more information on how to use the inhaler.
If your symptoms do not improve
If your asthma is not getting better or if it gets worse after you have started using Atectura Breezhaler, talk to your doctor.
If you use more Atectura Breezhaler than you should
If you accidently inhale too much of this medicine, contact your doctor or hospital for advice immediately. You may need medical attention.
If you forget to use Atectura Breezhaler
If you forget to inhale a dose at the usual time, inhale one as soon as possible on that day. Then inhale the next dose at the usual time on the next day. Do not inhale two doses on the same day.
If you stop using Atectura Breezhaler
Do not stop using Atectura Breezhaler unless your doctor tells you to. Your asthma symptoms may come back if you stop using it.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Some side effects could be serious
Stop using Atectura Breezhaler and get medical help immediately if you have any of the following:
Common: may affect up to 1 in every 10 people
- difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the tongue, lips, or face, skin rash, itching and hives (signs of allergic reaction).
Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in every 100 people
- swelling mainly of the tongue, lips, face or throat (possible signs of angioedema).
Other side effects
Other side effects include the following listed below. If these side effects become severe, please tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people
- sore throat, runny nose (nasopharyngitis)
- sudden difficulty breathing and feeling of tightness in chest with wheezing or coughing (asthma exacerbation)
- oropharyngeal pain
Common: may affect up to 1 in every 10 people
- voice alteration (hoarseness)
- blocked nose, sneezing, cough (upper respiratory tract infection)
- headache
- pain in muscles, bones or joints (signs of musculoskeletal pain)
Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in every 100 people
- fast heart beat
- oral thrush (sign of candidiasis)
- high level of sugar in the blood (hyperglycaemia)
- muscle spasm
- skin itching
- rash
- clouding of the lens of your eyes (signs of cataract)
- blurred vision
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme. Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Atectura Breezhaler
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister after
“EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Do not store above 30°C.
- Store the capsules in the original blister in order to protect from light and moisture, and do not remove until immediately before use.
- Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Atectura Breezhaler contains
The active substances are indacaterol (as acetate) and mometasone furoate.
Atectura Breezhaler 125 micrograms/62.5 micrograms
Each capsule contains 173 micrograms indacaterol acetate (equivalent to 150 micrograms indacaterol) and 80 micrograms mometasone furoate. The delivered dose (the dose that leaves the mouthpiece of the inhaler) is equivalent to 125 micrograms indacaterol and 62.5 micrograms mometasone furoate.
Atectura Breezhaler 125 micrograms/127.5 micrograms
Each capsule contains 173 micrograms indacaterol acetate (equivalent to 150 micrograms indacaterol) and 160 micrograms mometasone furoate. The delivered dose (the dose that leaves the mouthpiece of the inhaler) is equivalent to 125 micrograms indacaterol and 127.5 micrograms mometasone furoate.
Atectura Breezhaler 125 micrograms/260 micrograms
Each capsule contains 173 micrograms indacaterol acetate (equivalent to 150 micrograms indacaterol) and 320 micrograms mometasone furoate. The delivered dose (the dose that leaves the mouthpiece of the inhaler) is equivalent to 125 micrograms indacaterol and 260 micrograms mometasone furoate.
- The other ingredients are lactose monohydrate (see “Atectura Breezhaler contains lactose” in section 2) and gelatin (capsule shell).
The ingredients of the printing ink are:
Atectura Breezhaler 125 micrograms/62.5 micrograms
Shellac, brilliant blue FCF (E133), propylene glycol (E1520), titanium dioxide (E171) and black iron oxide (E172).
Atectura Breezhaler 125 micrograms/127.5 micrograms
Shellac, titanium dioxide (E171), black iron oxide (E172), propylene glycol (E1520), yellow iron oxide (E172) and ammonia hydroxide (E527).
Atectura Breezhaler 125 micrograms/260 micrograms
Shellac, black iron oxide (E172), propylene glycol (E1520) and ammonia hydroxide (E527).
What Atectura Breezhaler looks like and content of the pack
In this pack, you will find an inhaler together with capsules in blisters. The capsules are transparent and contain a white powder.
Atectura Breezhaler 125 micrograms/62.5 micrograms capsules have a blue product code
“IM150-80” printed above one blue bar on the body with a logo printed in blue and surrounded by two blue bars on the cap.
Atectura Breezhaler 125 micrograms/127.5 micrograms capsules have a grey product code
“IM150-160” printed on the body with a logo printed in grey on the cap.
Atectura Breezhaler 125 micrograms/260 micrograms capsules have a black product code
“IM150-320” printed above two black bars on the body with a logo printed in black and surrounded by two black bars on the cap.
The following pack sizes are available:
Single pack containing 10 x 1 or 30 x 1 hard capsules, together with 1 inhaler. Multipacks comprising 3 cartons, each containing 30 x 1 hard capsules together with 1 inhaler. Multipacks comprising 15 cartons, each containing 10 x 1 hard capsules together with 1 inhaler.
Not all pack sizes may bemarketed .
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Limited
2nd Floor, The WestWorks Building, White City Place
195 Wood Lane
London
W12 7FQ
United Kingdom
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:
United Kingdom
Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd.
Tel: +44 1276 698370
This leaflet was last revised in March 2025.
Instructions for Use of Atectura Breezhaler
Please read full instructions for use of Atectura Breezhaler inhaler before use.
Insert Pierce and release Inhale deeply Check capsule is empty
Step 1a:
Pull off cap
Step 2a:
Pierce capsule once
Hold the inhaler upright. Pierce capsule by firmly pressing both side
buttons at the same time.
Step 3a:
Breathe out fully 
Do not blow into the inhaler.
Check capsule is empty
Open the inhaler to see if any powder is left in the capsule.
If there is powder left in the capsule:
- Close the inhaler.
- Repeat steps 3a to 3d.
You should hear a noise as the capsule is pierced. Only pierce the capsule once.
Powder Empty remaining
Step 1b:
Open inhaler
Step 2b:
Release side buttons
Step 3b:
Inhale medicine deeply
Hold the inhaler as shown in the picture. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips firmly around it.
Do not press the side buttons.
Breathe in quickly and as
deeply as you can. During inhalation you will hear a whirring noise.
You may taste the medicine as you inhale.
Step 1c:
Remove capsule
Separate one of the blisters from the blister card.
Peel open the blister and remove the capsule. 
Do not push the capsule through the foil.
Do not swallow the capsule.
Step 3c:
Hold breath
Hold your breath for up to 5 seconds.
Step 3d:
Rinse mouth
Rinse your mouth with water after each dose and spit it out.
Remove empty capsule
Put the empty capsule in your household waste. Close the inhaler and replace the cap.
Step 1d:
Insert capsule 
Never place a capsule directly into the
mouthpiece.
Important Information
|
Step 1e:
Close inhaler
Your Atectura Breezhaler Inhaler pack contains:
| Frequently Asked Questions Why didn’t the inhaler make a noise when I inhaled? The capsule may be stuck in the capsule chamber. If this happens, carefully loosen the capsule by tapping the base of the inhaler. Inhale the medicine again by repeating steps 3a to 3d. What should I do if there is powder left inside the capsule? You have not received enough of your medicine. Close the inhaler and repeat steps 3a to 3d. I coughed after inhaling
This may happen. As long as the capsule is empty you have received enough of your medicine. I felt small pieces of the capsule on my tongue – does this matter? This can happen. It is not harmful. The chances of the capsule breaking into small pieces will be increased if the capsule is pierced more than once. | Cleaning the inhaler Wipe the mouthpiece inside and outside with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth to remove any powder residue. Keep the inhaler dry. Never wash your inhaler with water. |
Disposing of the inhaler after use Each inhaler should be disposed of after all capsules have been used. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines and inhalers that are no longer required. |
