Dr. Arjun Srivastav What is Roflumilast 500 mcg Australia?
Roflumilast 500 mcg is a prescription drug to treat flare-ups in COPD patients. It acts on the PDE4 enzyme and inhibits to reduce the inflammation in the lungs of the patient to give him relief in minor conditions. The drug is available in all the stores in Australia, and you can buy it only with a proper prescription.
How does Roflumilast 500 mcg Australia work?
Roflumilast 500mcg contains Roflumilast as the main ingredient, and it works on the PDE4 enzyme to reduce its effect. PDE4 acts on the inner wall of the lungs and causes inflammation.
Roflumilast acts against the PDE4 enzyme and inhibits its activity. Thus, when the cause of inflammation in the lungs is held back, the inflammation is treated.
How is Roflumilast 500 mcg Australia Treatment?
Roflumilast 500mcg acts well in the treatment of flares in COPD condition. Flares mean the sudden feeling of shortness of breath or sudden, rigorous coughs. If they are triggered, patients can soon face an asthma attack. Hence, things must be kept in control, and Roflumilast treats the condition of inflammation and keeps things in control.
Strength & Substitute
There are two dosages available for Roflumilast:
- 250mcg
Among substitutes, there are:
- Apremilast
- Spiriva
- Otezla
- Stelara
- Nucala
Dosage
Dosage might be different for different patients. In usual cases, doctors prefer to start the dosage from 250mcg and then move on to 500mcg.
- Usual standard dosage of Roflumilast is one tablet of 500mcg each day.
- For children, you need a doctor’s guidance.
What Occurs If I Overdose On a Roflumilast 500 mcg in Australia?
In no case must you double the dose, as doubling it might affect in some adversities, which can range from normal to severe for some patients.
What Occurs If I Miss Taking A Dose?
Usually, you need to take one tablet a day. Hence, if you missed a dose, you have 8 hours to take the dose. If you cross the 8-hour time, skip the dose and continue with the regular dosage.
Drug Interactions
Roflumilast 500 mcg must either not be used with these drugs or, if at all needed to be taken together, must require some dosage alteration –
- Gastro medicines – Tagamet,
- Antibiotics – Erythromycin, Rifampicin
- Anticonvulsant – Phenytoin, Carbamazepine
- Contraceptives – Gestodene (increased side effects), Ethinyl Estradiol
- PAH medications – Bosentan
- Antidepressant – Fluvoxamine
In addition, a patient taking Roflumilast must avoid taking Blueberry, Orange (bitter), Grape juice, and Cranberry.
Side Effects
Side affects you can face while taking Roflumilast range from some common issues to some serious aspects. However, the drug is regarded to be intensely tolerable.
Hence, most of the time, the side effect occurs for missing doses or overdoses, and sometimes due to some drug or food interactions. Here is the list of the side affects you are going to face –
➦ Common Effects
Here are the most common symptoms you can face while using Roflumilast –
- Weight loss (the most common symptom)
- Gastro issues – Diarrhoea, Abdominal Pain, Nausea,
- Pain – Headache, Back pain
- Sleeping issues – Insomnia, Dizziness
➦ Intense Effects
Some serious or severe issues you can face while taking Roflumilast are –
- Issue with mental health – Depression, anxiety, or heavy stress.
- Allergic reaction – Skin rash, or swelling of the breathing tract, face, lips, and other facial parts.
- Other Anomalies – Alarming weight loss, Pancreatitis.
Precautions & Warnings
- Not a substitute for an inhaler – Roflumilast is not a bronchodilator. Hence, it cannot hold you back during the triggers. You need an inhaler at that time.
- Losing weight abruptly – Roflumilast has a strong effect of losing weight loss. At times, the same can be really intense. Hence, take care of the same.
- Liver impairments – In case of mild liver impairment, too, you must take Roflumilast cautiously. However, in intense cases, you must not take Roflumilast.
- Psychiatric effects – Roflumilast affects your psychic health. It is a menace that has been reported several times. Hence, take adequate care of the same. If there is any such existing illness in you, or you recovered from it earlier, tell that to your doctor.
- Pregnancy and Lactation – Use Roflumilast during lactation and pregnancy only when your doctor prescribes you. He will surely make some dosage adjustments for your health support.
- Driving and Machine usage – Do not drive immediately after taking the dosage. In case you are working on some big machines, tell it to your doctor. He will adjust the timing of the dosage.
Benefits of Taking Roflumilast 500 mcg Australia
Roflumilast is highly beneficial for many patients, and that is the reason for it being the preferred medicine for experts and medical practitioners. Here are some of the significant benefits of using the drug:
- It can work great on the exacerbations. Hence, chances of hospitalization and a serious COPD condition can be avoided.
- Roflumilast makes Lung function and lung health better.
- It helps in cleaning the airways as the inflammation that blocks the passage is reduced.
- Roflumilast is a well-tolerated medicine with least side effects.
- It is an FDA and TGA-approved medicine (2011) and hence safe to use.
Where can you buy the Roflumilast 500 mcg in Australia?
You must have a prescription to buy Roflumilast in Australia for all its dosages. However, in terms of availability, there is absolutely no issue.
Nevertheless, it is a smart choice to rely on the trusted medical stores. Australiarxmeds is the most trusted online medical house, wherefrom you must buy Roflumilast at the best price, and with the best delivery policies.
FAQs
Is it safe to buy Roflumilast?
Roflumilast has been approved by the FDA and TGA both in 2011. Moreover, the FDA made some policy updates till 2023. Hence, by all terms, you are safe to buy and consume Roflumilast, only if you have a prescription.
Is there any other dosage available for Roflumilast 500mcg?
Yes, you can buy 250mcg of Roflumilast too if your doctor prescribes you so. The medicine is available in two dosages.
Can Roflumilast cause weight loss?
Yes, it is a common side effect of the drug and hence must take additional care while taking Roflumilast.
How long shall I continue taking Roflumilast?
Continue the medicines as long as your doctor suggests you take them. Do not stop the same thing suddenly.
Can Roflumilast be used in children?
Yes, children can take Roflumilast, but 500mcg will not be suitable for their daily consumption. Hence, rely on what your doctor suggests as a dosage for the children.
