Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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What is Colobreathe®?
Colobreathe® is an antibiotic which is used to treat respiratory infections, especially those caused by a bacterium called Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
This medication can control flare ups of your lung condition meaning you are less likely to need courses of other, oral antibiotics.
How do I take this medication?
It is best to have this treatment after you have cleared your chest of sputum with your physiotherapy airway clearance exercises and taken any inhalers you have been prescribed.
Colobreathe® should be taken twice daily, ideally 12 hours apart, but no less than 6 hours apart.
How do I store this medication?
Store at room temperature in original packaging.
Equipment you need is:
- Colobreathe®
- Turbospin® powder inhaler; In the Colobreathe® pack
Instructions
- Wash your hands
- Gather all the equipment
- Check the expiry dates of the Colobreathe® to make sure they are in date
- Remove one capsule from the blister pack and insert into the inhaler
- Press in the bottom of the inhaler to pierce the capsule
- Look up to open your airway and take a long, slow breath in and hold your breath for the count of 5. You may need to repeat this a couple of times to clear the capsule.
- Wash your hands and rinse your month, gargle and spit out the water
Cleaning and replacing the equipment
The inhaler device does not require cleaning and a new inhaler will be supplied with each box of medication
Side Effects
Sometimes Colobreathe® can lead to unwanted side effects such as:
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Throat irritation
- Loss of voice (hoarseness)
- Unpleasant taste
- Headache
- Ringing in ears
- Balance issues
- Feeling or being sick
- Joint pain
- Lack of energy
- High temperature
Using a bronchodilator beforehand can help with some of these side effects.
If you experience any of these, please stop taking the medication and contact your healthcare professional.
Action if missed dose
If you remember with more than 6 hours before your next dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible and resume your usual routine. Otherwise wait for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once to make up for the missed dose.
Cautions and contraindications
Please discuss with your healthcare professional if:
• You or your partner are pregnant, breastfeeding or plan on starting a family.
• You are going to start any new medication not prescribed by your healthcare professional.
How do I dispose of this medication?
Please dispose of unused medication via your local community pharmacy
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Physiotherapy service.
About this information
Service:
Physiotherapy
Reference:
BB/016
Approval date:
15 September 2026
Review date:
1 September 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.