- Prescribe by brand or branded-generic name to ensure patients receive the device they are used to.
- Check licensed indication (differences among brands).
- Be aware of differences in excipients among the different brands.
Prescribe using the most cost effective brand (taking into account availability of device by brand) - check with your local Medicines Optimisation team.
| 03.01 | Asthma |
| 03.01 | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| 03.01.01.01 | Short-acting beta2 agonists |
See inhaler images and cost-effective information at the top of this chapter
Asthma & COPD:
Salamol® MDI 100 micrograms/dose
Salamol Easi-breathe® MDI 100 micrograms/dose
Salbutamol easyhaler DPI 100, 200 micrograms/dose
See inhaler images and cost-effective information at the top of this chapter
Asthma & COPD:
Bricanyl turbohaler® DPI 500 micrograms/dose
| 03.01.01.01 | Long-acting beta2 agonists |
COPD:
Easyhaler DPI 12 micrograms/doses
Metered dose inhaler (MDI) - no dose counter
Strength: 12 micrograms/dose
Metered dose inhaler (MDI) - no dose counter
Strength: 25 micrograms/dose
= 
see information at the top of this chapter
Dry powder inhaler (DPI) - has dose counter
Strength: 50 micrograms/dose
see information at the top of this chapter
| 03.01.01.02 | Other adrenoceptor agonists |
| 03.01.02 | Antimuscarinic bronchodilators |
| 03.01.02 | Short Acting Anti-muscarinic Bronchodilators |
Metered dose inhaler (MDI) no dose counter
Strength: 20 micrograms/dose
| 03.01.02 | Long Acting Anti-muscarinic Bronchodilators |
Spiriva Respimat® SMI - has dose counter 2.5 micrograms/dose
Dry powder inhaler - has dose counter
Strength: 55 micrograms/dose
See inhaler images and cost-effective information at the top of this chapter
COPD:
Eklira Genuair® DPI 322 micrograms/dose
Dry powder inhaler (DPI) - no dose counter
Strength: 55 micrograms/dose
COPD:
Spiriva Respimat® SMI 2.5 micrograms/dose
see inhaler images at the top of this chapter
COPD:
Prescribe using the most cost effective brand - see information at the top of this chapter
| 03.01.03 | Theophylline |
Prescribe by brand as different brands may not be bioequivalent
| 03.01.04 | Compound bronchodilator preparations |
Dry powder inhaler - no dose counter
Strength: 85 micrograms/43 micrograms/dose
Soft mist inhaler (SMI) - has dose counter
Strength: 2.5 micrograms/2.5 micrograms/dose
Dry powder inhaler (DPI) - has dose counter
Strength: 55 micrograms/22 micrograms/dose
Dry powder inhaler (DPI) - has dose counter
Strength: 340 micrograms/12 micrograms/dose
Pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI) - has dose counter
Strength: 7.2 micrograms/5 micrograms/dose
Asthma: Flixotide® evohaler
Existing patients to continue if stabilised or until review
Not recommended by APC, consider alternative formulary choice for the treatment of COPD
