{"id":632114,"date":"2025-05-13T09:30:18","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T13:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=632114"},"modified":"2025-05-01T13:42:01","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T17:42:01","slug":"is-dulera-a-steroid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/is-dulera-a-steroid\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Dulera a steroid?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have certain lung conditions, you may be prescribed a Dulera inhaler. <\/span>Dulera<\/span><\/a> 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).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Dulera a steroid?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Yes. <\/span>Dulera<\/span><\/a> is classified as a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) and inhaled corticosteroid.<\/span> It has two key ingredients: f<\/span>ormoterol, a LABA that keeps your airways open, and mometasone, a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation in the lungs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Together, these two medications help you breathe easier on a day-to-day basis if you have asthma or COPD, explains <\/span>Ehsan Ali<\/span><\/a>, MD, a board-certified internist at <\/span>Cedars-Sinai Medical Center<\/span><\/a> in Beverly Hills, California.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The important thing to remember is that this is a daily medication; it\u2019s 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\u2019re not wheezing today is like skipping your seatbelt because you haven\u2019t crashed yet,” Dr. Ali explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Research<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

How does Dulera work?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Dulera is a combination inhaler with two ingredients\u2014one helps reduce inflammation, and the other keeps airways open,” says <\/span>Raj Dasgupta<\/span><\/a>, MD, a board-certified pulmonologist. <\/span>This <\/span>dual action<\/span><\/a> helps to ease breathing difficulties and improve overall lung function.<\/span><\/p>\n