Bronchitol

Generic name:mannitol
Dosage form: inhalation powder

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Nov 2, 2020.

What is Bronchitol?

• Bronchitol is a prescription medicine that is used along with other therapies to improve lung function in people 18 years of age and older with cystic fibrosis (CF).
• Bronchitol is only for adults who have passed the Bronchitol Tolerance Test (BTT). Your first dose is given during the BTT by your healthcare provider and tests if Bronchitol is right for you. Your healthcare provider will use equipment to monitor you and have medicine ready if you have bronchospasms during the test. If you have bronchospasms during your BTT, then you should not be prescribed Bronchitol.

Bronchitol should not be used in children and adolescents. It is not known if this medicine is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

Who should not take Bronchitol?

Do not take Bronchitol if you:

• have had an allergic reaction to mannitol or any parts of the Bronchitol capsule. See the end of this page for a complete list of ingredients.
• do not pass the BTT.

Before using Bronchitol

Before you use Bronchitol, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• have ever coughed up blood or had blood in your mucus (sputum).
• are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. It is not known if Bronchitol will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Bronchitol passes into your breast milk or if it can harm your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment.

Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of the medicines you take and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I use Bronchitol?

See the step-by-step Patient Instructions for Use leaflet that comes with your prescription.

•  Bronchitol is for oral inhalation only.
• Do not use Bronchitol until your healthcare provider has given you the BTT and approved you for treatment. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Use Bronchitol exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.
• Do not swallow Bronchitol capsules. Bronchitol capsules should be used only with the provided inhaler device.
• An inhaled short-acting bronchodilator should be used 5 to15 minutes before every dose.
• Use Bronchitol 2 times each day. Breathe in (inhale) through your mouth (oral inhalation) the capsule contents in 10 single Bronchitol capsules using the Bronchitol inhaler:
  • 1 time in the morning
  • 1 time at least 2 to 3 hours before bedtime
• If you use too much Bronchitol, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you have any unusual symptoms, such as feelings that you cannot breathe, have wheezi.