Is Dulera a steroid?

In this article:

• Is Dulera a steroid?
• How it works
• Side effects
• Alternatives
• The bottom line

In this article

• Is Dulera a steroid?
• How it works
• Side effects
• Alternatives
• The bottom line

If you have certain lung conditions, you may be prescribed a Dulera inhaler. Dulera is a prescription medication that combines two active ingredients: formoterol fumarate dihydrate and mometasone. It is FDA approved to help manage symptoms of asthma and improve lung function in adults and pediatric patients five years of age and older. Dulera is also prescribed off-label to help with breathing problems in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). 

Is Dulera a steroid? Yes, one of Dulera’s ingredients, mometasone, is a steroid medication. Here’s how it works, plus short- and long-term side effects to be aware of.

Is Dulera a steroid?

Yes. Dulera is classified as a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) and inhaled corticosteroid. It has two key ingredients: formoterol, a LABA that keeps your airways open, and mometasone, a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation in the lungs. 

Together, these two medications help you breathe easier on a day-to-day basis if you have asthma or COPD, explains Ehsan Ali, MD, a board-certified internist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, California. 

The important thing to remember is that this is a daily medication; it’s meant to prevent symptoms before they start, not to treat a sudden attack. “I always tell patients: Use it consistently, even if you’re feeling good. Skipping it because you’re not wheezing today is like skipping your seatbelt because you haven’t crashed yet,” Dr. Ali explains.

While oral corticosteroids like mometasone can be highly effective in controlling asthma symptoms, there are systemic implications to be aware of. “With any inhaled corticosteroid, there’s a risk of oral thrush, which is a yeast infection that happens in the mouth or tongue,” says Jimmy Johannes, MD, a board-certified pulmonologist at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center in California. To avoid oral thrush, Dr. Johannes emphasizes the importance of rinsing your mouth and gargling with water to get rid of any residual medication after each use.

Research indicates that over the long-term, inhaled corticosteroids can impact the body’s hormone regulation system (the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis), bone density, growth, and the eyes, skin, and immune system. One potential concern is an increased risk of pneumonia. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the lowest effective dose possible to minimize these risks.

How does Dulera work?

Dulera comes in a device called a metered-dose inhaler. The inhaler connects to the medication canister, transforming the medicine into a mist that is inhaled through your mouth into the lungs. Each dose of Dulera contains 50 mcg/5 mcg, 100 mcg/5 mcg, or 200 mcg/5 mcg, administered as two aerosol puffs through the mouthpiece. Dulera should be stored at room temperature and taken twice daily.

“Dulera is a combination inhaler with two ingredients—one helps reduce inflammation, and the other keeps airways open,” says Raj Dasgupta, MD, a board-certified pulmonologist. This dual action helps to ease breathing difficulties and improve overall lung function.

• Mometasone helps manage asthma by reducing inflammation in the airways. When someone has asthma, their airways can become inflamed, leading to symptoms such as wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing), coughing, and difficulty breathing.
• Formoterol relaxes the muscles around the airways. When these muscles are relaxed, the airways open up, making it easier for air to flow in and out of the lungs. This improved airflow helps people with asthma and COPD breathe better.

Dulera side effects 

While inhaled corticosteroids can be highly effective in controlling asthma symptoms, there are possible side effects to keep in mind. 

According to the manufacturer’s prescribing information, the most common side effects of Dulera include:

• Inflammation of the nose, throat, or sinuses
• Headache
• Flu
• Upper respiratory infection

Less common, but serious side effects of Dulera include:

• Serious allergic reaction (rash, hives, swelling of the face, mouth, and tongue, or breathing problems)
• Thrush (yeast infection), characterized by white patches in the mouth or throat
• Increased risk of infection, including chickenpox or measles
• Worsening of existing tuberculosis, ocular herpes simplex, and fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections
• Reduced adrenal function, causing loss of energy
• Increased wheezing immediately after taking the medication (paradoxical bronchospasm)
• Decreased bone mineral density, which increases the risk of osteoporosis
• Slowed growth in children
• Vision problems, including blurred vision, glaucoma, and cataracts
• Low potassium levels (hypokalemia) and increased blood sugar levels
• Chest pain
• Heart problems, including increased heart rate or irregular heartbeat
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes
• Dizziness
• Seizures
• Tremor
• Changes in blood pressure
• Headache
• Nervousness
• Weakness

If you notice anything unusual or have any concerns, reach out to your healthcare provider for medical advice. While weight gain isn’t a common side effect of Dulera, some patients might experience changes in appetite or metabolism when taking corticosteroids. So, keeping up a healthy diet and lifestyle is a great idea while you’re on this medication.

If you have certain health issues, like severe asthma flare-ups, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or a known allergy to mometasone or formoterol, Dulera might not be the best choice for you. Discuss your health history and any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, as well as dietary supplements you take, with a healthcare professional.

Dulera vs. other inhalers

A traditional maintenance therapy inhaler—like Dulera or Symbicort (active ingredients formoterol and budesonide)— is used daily to keep asthma symptoms in check long-term. These types of inhalers are FDA-approved for long-term control of asthma symptoms, not to fix them in the moment. “A rescue inhaler is traditionally a bronchodilator like albuterol, which you grab when symptoms flare up—it works fast to open your airways and help you breathe easier right away,” Dr. Dasgupta says.

Dr. Ali adds, “I explain it like this: Dulera is your preventive, albuterol is your emergency backup. Dulera works in the background, controlling inflammation and keeping your airways calm and open over time. It’s slow and steady, which is why you take it every day.” On the other hand, albuterol kicks in fast. It relaxes the muscles around your airways almost immediately, which is why it’s called a “rescue” inhaler—you use it during an asthma attack, or if you’re suddenly short of breath.

That said, Dr. Dasgupta points out that current asthma treatment guidelines recommend that people aged 12 years and older use an inhaler that includes an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and bronchodilator when they have an asthma attack. Because Dulera contains an ICS (mometasone) and bronchodilator (formoterol), your provider may prescribe it off-label for symptom relief, particularly in cases of mild asthma. Your healthcare provider will determine how long you should use Dulera based on your needs—always follow their recommendations.

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The bottom line

Dulera is a combination inhaler that includes a steroid component (mometasone) and is classified as a steroid-based medication. It’s used as maintenance therapy for asthma but may be used off-label as a rescue inhaler. Always consult a healthcare provider to determine the best asthma treatment for you.