Clenil Modulite

Clenil Modulite is a preventative treatment for mild, moderate or severe asthma.

Can I buy Clenil Modulite online?

The Online Clinic can prescribe this medication for patients who have used it previously. Please start a consultation with one of your doctors to proceed.

What is Clenil Modulite?

The common inflammatory condition asthma causes inflammation (swelling) and tightening of the muscles around the airways, with subsequent narrowing of the airways in the lungs. Mucus production is also increased. As a result, the passage of air into the lungs is hindered. Asthma occurs in response to a trigger, such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, smells, smoke, and exercise. Symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and tightness or pain in the chest.

Clenil Modulite is a prophylactic (preventative) therapy used in people with asthma that is considered to be:

• mild - asthma requiring treatment only when symptoms occur but on a regular basis
• moderate - worsening asthma despite treatment or preventative therapy
• severe - chronic asthma and asthma requiring continuous treatment.

Clenil Modulite is a pressurised solution for inhalation that is provided in an inhaler. The active ingredient is a corticosteroid known as beclometasone dipropionate. This corticosteroid (or, more generally, 'steroid') has strong anti-inflammatory activity, which results in a reduction in inflammation in the walls of the small airways in the lungs, thereby relieving the breathing problems.

There are four different strengths of Clenil Modulite, which are selected depending on the severity of asthma. The inhalers deliver 50, 100, 200, or 250 micrograms of Clenil Modulite in each puff, and each contain 200 puffs. The propellant in the inhaler is norflurane that is environmentally friendly as it is chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-free and does not damage the ozone layer.

How to use Clenil Modulite

Follow your doctor's instructions carefully on how to use your Clenil Modulite inhaler, as well as when to use it, how may puffs to inhale, and how often to use it. The dose of corticosteroid medicine you receive will depend on the strength of medicine, the number of puffs you take at any one time, and on the number of times you take puffs each day. Your total daily dose of medicine may be divided into 2, 3 or 4 doses per day. Clenil Modulite takes a few days to have an effect, must be used regularly, and not be stopped unless instructed by a doctor.

You may also be instructed to use a Volumatic spacer. This device makes it easier to use the inhaler, thus increasing the likelihood of the medicine reaching the lungs. It is used by all children and adolescents of 15 years of age and younger, and by people aged 16 years and older using Clenil Modulite 1,000 micrograms per day or more.

A leaflet in the packaging also provides detailed instructions for using the Clenil Modulite inhaler. Remove the cover. When using the inhaler for the first time or after not using it for 3 days, test it works by releasing one puff into the air. You will need to repeat the last puff taken if you observe 'mist' coming either from the sides of your mouth or the top of the inhaler, which indicates that the medicine will not be delivered to the lungs. Also note, some people need to use both hands to use the inhaler, and some need to use a Volumatic spacer if they find it difficult to use at the same time as breathing in. Children under the age of 5 years may also need to use a face mask with the Volumatic spacer device.

Holding the inhaler upright, exhale as much as comfortable. Placing the mouthpiece inside your mouth, between the teeth, close your lips around the mouthpiece. Start to breathe in through your mouth while pressing the top of the device down; continue to steadily and deeply breathe in as a puff is released. Hold your breath, remove the mouthpiece from your mouth, and keep holding your breath for several seconds/as long as comfortable. Finally, slowly breathe out. If you have to take another puff, keep the inhaler in the same position and wait about 30 seconds before repeating this method of inhalation. The mouthpiece cover should always be replaced and cleaned once a week.

You will need to repeat the last puff taken if you observe 'mist' coming either from the sides of your mouth or the top of the inhaler - this indicates that the medicine will not be delivered to the lungs. Also note, some people need to use both hands to use the inhaler, and some need to use a Volumatic spacer if they find it difficult to use at the same time as breathing in.

The number of puffs in the inhaler are shown in intervals of 20, starting at 200 and decreasing with use. When 20 doses remain, a new inhaler should be requested from your doctor; when a '0' appears in the centre of the indicator window, the inhaler is empty and should not be used.

Contact your doctor if you use too much Clenil Modulite, as you may need to have blood test to check your steroid level. When forgetting to take the Clenil Modulite, miss the forgotten dose altogether; take your next dose at your usual time and do not increase the number of puffs.

While using Clenil Modulite, you may have regular blood tests to check the natural steroid level in your body and lung function tests to monitor your breathing. You may also be required to carry a steroid emergency card.

Who can use Clenil Modulite?

Clenil Modulite can be used by adults including those 65 years and older. Children can use Clenil Modulite 50 and 100 micrograms only. Children must not use Clenil Modulite 200 and 250 micrograms. Ask your doctor's advice before taking this medicine if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, could be pregnant, or trying to become pregnant.

Clenil Modulite cannot be taken if you are allergic to beclometasone dipropionate or its other ingredients. The medicine is not for use as a treatment for sudden attacks of breathlessness, and will not result in their relief. In such cases, a fast-acting 'reliever' inhaler is used that should always be carried with you. Before using Clenil Modulite, speak with your doctor if you are receiving/have ever received treatment for tuberculosis, or have been told to avoid alcohol.

Always discuss with your doctor the medicines you take and have recently taken. Some medicines, such as HIV treatments, can alter the effects of Clenil Modulite and you may require monitoring carefully.

Please note that The Online Clinic does not prescribe for children.

Clenil Modulite Side Effects

Any increase in breathlessness, wheezing, and cough after using the Clenil Modulite inhaler means that you must stop using it and use a 'reliever' inhaler immediately; consult your doctor as your asthma and treatment need to be reassessed. Similarly, if your asthma appears to be worsening or not getting better, you have more wheeziness and breathlessness than usual, or your 'reliever' inhaler gives less symptom relief and/or you require more puffs than usual, it may mean that you need to increase the dose of Clenil Modulite, require steroid tablets, or change to a different treatment.

It is very common to get thrush in the mouth/throat, particularly if your dose is more than 400 micrograms a day, and common for your voice to be hoarse and throat/tongue to be sore. These may be prevented by rinsing you mouth with water after using the inhaler. Allergic reactions that involve swelling of your face, eyes, lips/mouth and throat are very rare, and those of the skin involving rashes, redness, hives, or itching are uncommon. There are occasional reports of headaches, sleep disturbances, depression, restless, nervousness and irritability.

Inhaled corticosteroids may lead to a reduction of the body's natural production of the steroid hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands, a condition known as adrenal suppression. Although very rare, this particularly occurs after long-term use of high doses of an inhaled steroid such as Clenil Modulite. The growth of children and adolescents may be slower than average and their height may need to be monitored regularly by a doctor. There may also be bone thinning and weakening due to a decrease in bone mineral density, and eye problems that include cataracts (the eye lens becomes cloudy) and glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye). In times of stress, such as when you have an acute asthma attack, infection, serious illness or surgery, you may experience gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain), weight loss, tiredness, feeling faint, sweats, and seizures. These symptoms may be due to the reduction in natural cortisol, and you should contact your doctor.