Combitide 500 Octacaps

Combitide 500 Octacaps is a prescription asthma medicine in capsule form that contains salmeterol and fluticasone propionate. Each Combitide 500 Octacaps capsule provides salmeterol 50 mcg and fluticasone propionate 500 mcg, a long-acting beta2-agonist plus an inhaled corticosteroid. It is used as maintenance treatment to help control asthma symptoms and reduce flare-ups, not to relieve sudden breathing problems.

How it works: Salmeterol relaxes the muscles around the airways so air can move in and out more easily over many hours. Fluticasone propionate reduces swelling and irritation inside the airways, and in the capsule form the medicine is inhaled into the lungs where it is needed.

Combitide 500 Octacaps is the highest-strength capsule in this brand range and is typically chosen when a lower-strength inhaled steroid/long-acting bronchodilator dose is not enough to keep asthma controlled. Because the fluticasone dose is higher, it may be used for people with more persistent symptoms or a doctor-assessed need for stronger controller therapy, but it should still be used only exactly as prescribed.

• Maintenance treatment of asthma
• Help prevent day and night asthma symptoms
• Reduce wheezing and shortness of breath over time
• Lower the chance of asthma attacks when used regularly

• Use Combitide 500 Octacaps only with the inhalation device prescribed for this capsule; do not swallow the capsule.
• Place the capsule in the device and inhale the powder as directed; the capsule shell is not for oral use.
• Take it at the same times each day to keep asthma controlled.
• Do not use it for sudden breathing trouble; keep a rescue inhaler for attacks.
• If the capsule is damaged or empty, do not use it and discard it.
• Rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after use to help reduce thrush risk.

Each Combitide 500 Octacaps capsule contains salmeterol 50 mcg and fluticasone propionate 500 mcg. The usual frequency may be once or twice daily depending on the prescriber’s plan, but the exact schedule and any maximum daily use must be set by a doctor for the individual patient. Do not change how often you use Combitide 500 Octacaps without medical advice, because this is a higher-strength controller capsule.

Do not change your dose or stop the medicine without speaking to your doctor.

Common side effects of Salmeterol + Fluticasone Propionate may include:

• Hoarseness or voice changes
• Throat irritation or cough
• Oral thrush (fungal infection in the mouth)
• Headache
• Tremor or feeling shaky
• Fast heartbeat or palpitations
• Nervousness or mild muscle aches

• Not for relief of sudden asthma attacks; a rescue inhaler is still needed for emergencies.
• Use extra caution if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, diabetes, thyroid disease, seizures, or low potassium.
• This higher-strength capsule may raise the risk of steroid-related effects if used too often or with other steroid medicines.
• Rinse and spit after each dose to lower the chance of oral thrush.
• Do not stop asthma medicine suddenly without your doctor’s guidance, especially if you have been using it regularly.
• Tell your doctor if you take medicines that can affect heart rhythm or raise salmeterol levels.
• If symptoms get worse or you need your rescue inhaler more often, contact your prescriber promptly.

• Other LABA-containing inhalers or medicines, which can increase side effects
• Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, or cobicistat
• Beta-blockers, which can reduce asthma control and may trigger bronchospasm
• Diuretics or other medicines that can lower potassium
• Other corticosteroids, which may add to steroid exposure

Store Combitide 500 Octacaps in the original strip/box at room temperature, protected from moisture, and keep the capsules in the blister until use.