Other names: As needed preventer, Anti-Inflammatory Reliever (AIR) (budesonide/formoterol)

Limited to these medicines: DuoResp Spiromax 200/6, Symbicort Rapihaler 100/3, Symbicort Turbuhaler 200/6. See generic names here: Active Ingredients Guide for Asthma Medication.

Dual purpose relievers are limited to specific strengths of already existing asthma medicines.  

Dual purpose relievers are a different way of using an asthma medicine for people with mild asthma. Dual purpose relievers might be another option for people with mild asthma who use a daily low-dose preventer and an as-needed reliever. 

You can read more about dual purpose relievers in our guide 

HOW DO DUAL PURPOSE RELIEVERS HELP ASTHMA?

Dual purpose relievers relax tight airway muscles and treat inflammation in the airways.  

The combination of budesonide/formoterol in the dual purpose reliever, when used as needed, can relieve symptoms and reduces your chance of having more serious asthma flare-ups. 

Dual purpose relievers are a treatment option for mild asthma only. Mild asthma is when you: 

• only experience few symptoms 
• don’t wake at night due to symptoms and  
• have not experienced a flare-up in the past year.  

It is important to recognise and treat your asthma symptoms, even mild symptoms.  

WHEN DO I USE A DUAL PURPOSE RELIEVER?

Use your dual purpose reliever inhaler for the same reasons as using a blue/grey reliever inhaler. You should use it as needed to relieve your asthma symptoms. You can also use it before exercise or when you know you are going to have contact with or experience a known trigger (e.g. allergen, dust, vacuuming).  

You do not need to rinse and spit after using a dual-purpose reliever.  

If you are finding your symptoms continue over two or three days despite using your dual purpose reliever see your doctor for an asthma review.  

If your asthma symptoms increase, you can take more doses to relieve the symptoms to the maximum doses below (or as directed by your doctor). If you need more doses than shown below, see your doctor, or seek medical attention as soon as possible, as you may be having an asthma flare up. 

DuoResp Spiromax 200/6  

Do not use more than 6 inhalations on a single occasion or more than 12 inhalations in any day. 

Symbicort Rapihaler 100/3 

Do not use more than 12 puffs on a single occasion or more than 24 puffs in any day. 

Symbicort Turbuhaler 200/6 

Do not use more than 6 inhalations on a single occasion or more than 12 inhalations in any day.  

USING YOUR DUAL PURPOSE RELIEVER FOR ASTHMA FIRST AID 

When using a dual purpose reliever, you no longer need to have a separate blue/grey reliever.  

If you do have a flare up, you will use your dual purpose reliever for asthma first aid. 

You can download and print the steps for Asthma First Aid using your dual purpose reliever here.

SIDE EFFECTS OF DUAL PURPOSE RELIEVERS

Side effects of dual purpose relievers may include:

• Head/mood
  • Headache
  • Feeling anxious, nervous or upset
  • Restlessness
•  Throat/mouth
  • Hoarse voice
  • Sore throat
  • Oral/mouth thursh (sore, yellowish raised patches in the mouth)
  • Irritated tongue
  • Coughing