Can Dulera Inhaler Give Better Control for Moderate to Severe Asthma?

For people with moderate to severe asthma, quick-relief inhalers often are not enough. Long-term control becomes essential. Dulera inhaler plays a role here by working inside the lungs to manage inflammation and keep airways open over many hours.

Used daily, it helps support steadier breathing and fewer disruptions throughout the day and night.

How does Dulera support breathing inside the lungs?

To understand why Dulera works the way it does, it helps to look at what happens inside the airways during asthma. Swelling, mucus, and tightened airway muscles all restrict airflow. Dulera targets each of these problems using two medicines that work together.

Mometasone furoate calms airway inflammation

Mometasone furoate is an inhaled corticosteroid that focuses on swelling inside the lungs. In asthma, inflamed airways narrow and react strongly to triggers like dust, cold air, exercise, or smoke. This inflammation also leads to extra mucus, which further blocks airflow.

When mometasone reduces swelling, airways stay wider and less sensitive. Over time, this makes breathing smoother and helps prevent flare-ups before they start.

Clinical findings show that mometasone improves lung function more than placebo and supports stronger airflow at higher doses. These changes help keep symptoms from building up during the day or worsening at night.

Formoterol keeps airway muscles relaxed

While inflammation is one part of asthma, muscle tightening around the airways causes sudden breathing difficulty. Formoterol addresses this problem. It relaxes the smooth muscles that wrap around the airways, allowing air to move more freely.

Formoterol starts working within about five minutes. This fast action matters when breathing feels tight. Its effects last up to twelve hours, which helps prevent wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath throughout the day and overnight.

Studies show that people using Dulera experience noticeable improvement in lung airflow within minutes of inhalation. Over longer periods, airflow stays steadier, reducing the risk of sudden symptom spikes. Dulera works as well as other combination inhalers over time while offering faster relief at the start.

Why is Dulera chosen for moderate to severe asthma?

Asthma that remains uncontrolled with a steroid inhaler alone often needs stronger support. Dulera is prescribed when symptoms persist despite regular treatment.

Managing more than short-term symptoms

Many people with moderate to severe asthma rely heavily on short-acting rescue inhalers. These medicines open airways briefly but do not address ongoing inflammation. Without controlling swelling, symptoms keep returning.

Dulera treats both inflammation and airway tightening at the same time. This approach supports better daily control and helps reduce repeated reliance on rescue medication.

One inhaler for daily control and quick relief

Formoterol acts quickly and lasts long. This combination allows Dulera to serve both as a maintenance inhaler and, in certain treatment plans, as relief for sudden symptoms. Using one inhaler instead of several simplifies routines and supports better consistency.

Fit with SMART therapy guidelines

Current asthma guidelines support the use of inhalers that combine a corticosteroid with formoterol for both daily use and symptom relief. This approach, known as SMART therapy, has been shown to lower the number and severity of asthma attacks in children and adults.

Dulera fits this strategy well. Patients can maintain control without increasing steroid doses or switching inhalers. Using one inhaler improves adherence, which often is a challenge in long-term asthma care.

Benefits of mometasone for long-term use

Mometasone has shown good tolerability and strong patient adherence in studies. Although Dulera typically is used twice daily, the favorable safety profile of mometasone supports ongoing treatment in moderate to severe asthma.

What is the correct Dulera dosage for different ages?

Dosing depends on age and asthma severity. Treatment plans adjust based on symptom control and response.

Children ages 5 to under 12

Children in this age group use Dulera with 50 mcg mometasone and 5 mcg formoterol per inhalation. The standard dose is two inhalations twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.

The maximum daily dose is 200 mcg of mometasone and 20 mcg of formoterol. This dose applies to both moderate and severe asthma. If symptoms remain poorly controlled, additional controller medications may be needed.

Adolescents and adults ages 12 and older

For moderate asthma, treatment usually begins with 100 mcg mometasone and 5 mcg formoterol per inhalation. Two inhalations are taken twice daily. The daily maximum at this level is 400 mcg mometasone and 10 mcg formoterol.

If symptoms persist after about two weeks, the dose may increase to 200 mcg mometasone with 5 mcg formoterol per inhalation. Two inhalations twice daily are used for severe asthma.

The maximum daily limit at this strength is 800 mcg mometasone and 20 mcg formoterol.

How should Dulera be used each day?

Using Dulera correctly helps ensure the medicine reaches the lungs and works as intended. Daily use is essential for consistent control.

Before reviewing each step, it helps to understand that proper preparation and technique affect how well the inhaler delivers medication.

Preparing the inhaler before use

Before first use, or if the inhaler has not been used for five days, priming is required. Shake the inhaler well and release four sprays into the air. Shake before each spray. Priming ensures the correct dose is delivered with each puff.

Skipping this step can lead to underdosing.

Step-by-step inhalation technique

Here’s how:

1. Start by removing the cap and checking the mouthpiece for debris. Shake the inhaler for five to ten seconds. Exhale fully to clear your lungs.
2. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and seal your lips around it. Press down on the canister while breathing in slowly and deeply. If using a spacer, release the spray into the spacer first, then inhale through it.
3. Hold your breath for five to ten seconds, then exhale slowly. If a second puff is needed, wait thirty seconds and repeat the steps. After finishing, rinse your mouth and spit out the water. This reduces the risk of oral thrush.

Cleaning and replacing the inhaler

Clean the mouthpiece once a week using a dry cloth or tissue. Avoid water and never use sharp objects to clear blockages.

Check the dose counter regularly. When it reaches 20, refill the prescription. Stop using the inhaler once the counter reads zero, even if it still sprays.

How should Dulera be stored safely?

Proper storage protects the medication and ensures consistent dosing. Store Dulera at temperatures between 68°F and 77°F. Keep it away from heat sources and open flames.

For the 60-puff inhaler, store it mouthpiece down or sideways after priming. This helps maintain correct spray delivery.

Takeaways

• Dulera provides long-lasting control for moderate to severe asthma by reducing lung inflammation and relaxing airway muscles
• It starts working within minutes and supports steady breathing for up to twelve hours
• Daily use helps prevent flare-ups rather than just treating symptoms
• It fits current asthma guidelines for combined control and relief therapy
• Correct dosing, technique, and storage are essential for best results