Fostair inhaler

Fostair is a combination prescription-only inhaler available in the form of a pressurised inhaler. It contains two medicines which are inhaled through the mouth to be delivered to the lungs.

Fostair contains the active ingredients beclometasone dipropionate and formoterol fumarate dehydrate which work together to help you manage asthma symptoms like:

• coughing
• wheezing
• shortness of breath.

Fostair can be used ‘as needed’ as a type of Anti-inflammatory reliever (AIR) therapy, to manage acute symptoms of an asthma attack like shortness of breath and wheezing. This has now replaced the previous ‘blue inhalers’ (salbutamol) which were prescribed to relieve symptoms during an asthma attack which are now being phased out.

Anti-inflammatory reliever (AIR) therapy is where you use a combination inhaler to relieve acute asthma symptoms. You would use it in the same way as a blue inhaler - just when needed. The difference is that the low dose of steroid in the AIR combination inhaler helps to treat inflammation in the airways at the same time as helping to open them up during an asthma attack.

You should not rely on a blue inhaler anymore to manage your acute asthma attack unless a health professional has advised otherwise. Speak to your doctor if you currently only have a blue inhaler.

Fostair contains two medicines which work together to manage asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. The two active ingredients in Fostair are:

• beclometasone dipropionate - a type of steroid that works by reducing inflammation and swelling in the lung airways
• formoterol fumarate - a long-acting bronchodilator which helps to relax the muscles in your lung airways making it easier for you to breathe

How long does Fostair last?

It depends on the number of puffs you need each day. Your Fostair inhaler contains 120 doses or puffs and each puff contains 100/6 micrograms or 200/6 of beclometasone/formoterol which is inhaled as a combined treatment for asthma symptoms.

If you use your inhaler daily as prescribed, this means you’re using one puff twice daily to prevent asthma symptoms, your Fostair inhaler should last for 60 days. This may be less if you need to use it more often to relieve symptoms during an acute asthma attack.

If you are using Fostair ‘as needed’ (AIR therapy) more than 3 times a week: It can also be prescribed as a Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART), to be used daily and long term, to prevent future asthma attack symptoms. This way, instead of having two separate inhalers as a reliever and a preventer, you just have one. You use your MART inhaler every day to prevent symptoms, but if you do get symptoms of an acute asthma attack, you can use it as needed like a reliever inhaler as well.

Your doctor will advise on the right dosage for you when using Fostair as AIR or MART therapy for asthma management.

How long does the Fostair inhaler take to work?

Just a few minutes, when it is used to relieve acute asthma attack symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath. When used twice daily to prevent future asthma symptoms, it can take a few days to start working and a few weeks to feel the full benefits.

How effective is Fostair?

Clinical trial studies have shown that when Fostair is used daily and long term, it improves asthma symptoms and lung function and reduces future asthma attacks. Another study on adult patients reported that 66% of patients achieved improved asthma control within just 6 months of starting Fostair NEXThaler 100/6 dosage.

You should use your Fostair inhaler exactly as your doctor has prescribed. It should be inhaled through your mouth into your lungs.

Before you use Fostair for the first time you should test the inhaler to make sure it is working correctly.

Using your pressurised Fostair inhaler, step by step:

Preparing your Fostair inhaler for use:

• Remove the cap that protects the mouthpiece.
• Hold the inhaler upright between your thumb and forefinger with the mouthpiece situated at the bottom.
• Direct the inhaler away from you and pressing the canister to release 1 puff.
• Check the counter, if this is the first puff released from the unit it should read 120.

How to use the Fostair inhaler:

• Remove the protective mouthpiece cover and check it is free from any obstructions or debris.
• Breathe out as slowly and as deeply as you can.
• Hold the inhaler upright between your thumb and forefinger, with the mouthpiece at the bottom.
• Place the mouthpiece in your mouth, and try to completely surround it so no medication can escape but do not bite down.
• Breathe in slowly and deeply through your mouth. Just after you begin to breathe in, press down firmly on the top of the inhaler to release 1 puff.
• Hold your breath for as long as you can (up to 10 seconds), remove the inhaler from your mouth, and slowly breathe out. Never breathe into the inhaler.
• If you need to take further puffs, repeat steps 2 to 6.

Clean your inhaler weekly using a clean dry cloth. You can find a full list of instructions for using and keeping your inhaler clean in the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine.

When to take Fostair inhaler

When using Fostair as your only asthma inhaler (as both preventer and reliever inhaler), your doctor would prescribe one puff to be taken in the morning and another puff in the evening.

You can also use your inhaler to relieve sudden asthma attack symptoms by taking one puff then waiting a few minutes. If you do not feel better, take another puff. You can take up to a maximum of 6 reliever puffs a day.

How much Fostair inhaler to take

You should take one puff in the morning and another puff in the evening every day to prevent asthma symptoms.

Each puff from your Fostair inhaler contains a dose of 100/6 micrograms of beclometasone/formoterol which is inhaled as a combined treatment for asthma symptoms.

You can also take up to a maximum of 6 reliever puffs a day if you are experiencing symptoms of an asthma attack. If after taking 6 reliever puffs your symptoms have not improved, seek immediate medical review from a doctor.

In total, when using your Fostair inhaler both as a preventer and a reliever, do not take more than 8 puffs a day.

Please note, if you are experiencing the following signs of an asthma attack, call 999 or visit A&E:

• finding it difficult to walk
• finding it difficult to breathe
• wheezing a lot
• tight chest
• coughing a lot
• have a peak expiratory flow (PEF) of less than 60% of your best reading

Like all medicines, Fostair can cause side effects, but not everybody will get them.

Stop using Fostair immediately and tell your doctor if tell your doctor immediately if you experience any hypersensitivity reactions like skin allergies, skin itching, skin rash, reddening of the skin, swelling of the skin or mucous membranes especially of the eyes, face, lips and throat.

Common Fostair side effects affecting less than 1 in 10 people include:

• fungal infections in the mouth or throat
• headaches
• sore throat
• hoarseness

Uncommon Fostair side effects affecting less than 1 in 100 people include:

• throat irritation
• cough and productive cough (a cough that produces mucus)
• feeling sick (nausea)
• abnormal sense of taste
• burning of the lips
• dry mouth
• swallowing difficulties
• indigestion
• upset stomach
• diarrhoea
• muscle pain or cramp
• reddening of the face
• excessive sweating
• unusually fast heartbeat
• disorders of heart rhythm
• asthma attack
• trembling
• restlessness
• dizziness
• palpitations
• flu-like symptoms
• fungal infections of the vagina
• inflamed sinuses
• inflammation of the ear
• increased blood flow to some tissues in the body
• rhinitis
• increased blood sugar
• nettle rash or hives

Rare Fostair side effects affecting less than 1 in 1000 people include:

• tightness in the chest
• sensation of a missed heartbeat
• increase or decrease in blood pressure
• inflammation of the kidney
• swelling of skin and mucous membrane persisting for several days

Very rare Fostair side effects affecting less than 1 in 10,000 people include:

• worsening of asthma
• shortness of breath
• a fall in the number of blood platelets
• swollen hands and feet

You can find the full list of known Fostair side effects in the patient information leaflet included with the inhaler.

How long do Fostair inhaler side effects last

Common side effects typically go away after a week. Fostair inhaler side effects are usually mild and short term as your body adjusts to using the inhaler. If they do not improve or are difficult to manage, you should speak to your doctor.

What to do if you get Fostair inhaler side effects

There are a few things you can try at home to help with common Fostair side effects. For:

• Headaches - hydrate, rest and try over- the- counter painkillers, and speak to your doctor if they do not settle over time.
• Oral thrush - rinse and spit out with water after every puff to prevent oral thrush. Speak to your local pharmacist for oral antifungal treatment.
• Dry mouth/hoarseness/sore throat - gargle with water after each puff to reduce these symptoms. Check your inhaler technique with your asthma nurse. Speak to your doctor if there is no improvement, they might recommend that you consider using a spacer.

Fostair may not be suitable for everyone to manage asthma symptoms.

Do not use a Fostair inhaler if you:

• are or think you may be allergic to any of its ingredients
• have had an allergic reaction to other asthma inhalers, with symptoms such as difficulty breathing and swallowing, hives, swelling in the face, dizziness, or loss of consciousness
• take beta blockers like atenolol, bisoprolol and propranolol
• are or think you might be pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor before you use Fostair if you:

• have any heart problems including, angina, coronary heart disease, heart failure, or have recently had a heart attack
• have high blood pressure
• have a fast or irregular heartbeat
• have an overactive thyroid
• have low blood potassium levels
• have liver or kidney disease
• are diabetic
• have an adrenal gland tumour
• are due to have anaesthetic
• have ever been treated for tuberculosis (TB)
• must avoid alcohol for any reason

You should always tell your doctor about any medications you are currently taking before starting Fostair, including any herbal or over-the-counter medications. Certain medications can interact with Fostair, making it less effective, or potentially unsafe.

Before using Fostair, tell your doctor if you are taking or have taken, or might take any of the following:

• medicines for HIV like ritonavir, cobicistat
• beta blockers such as atenolol and propranolol
• other medicines used to treat asthma like theophylline or steroids
• thyroxine
• digoxin
• monoaminoxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and other parkinson medicines like L-dopa
• antihistamines
• tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline
• diuretics (water tablets)
• antiarrhythmic medicines like quinidine, disopyramide, procainamide

The full list of known Fostair warnings and medication interactions can be found in the patient information leaflet included with your inhaler.

Fostair is a prescription-only medication, so you will need to get a doctor’s prescription to obtain it. It is available to request from UK registered online services like Asda Online Doctor or on the NHS.

Can I buy the Fostair inhaler online?

Yes, you can request your Fostair asthma inhaler from Asda Online Doctor if you already have an asthma diagnosis and a prescription.

To order your Fostair asthma inhaler from us, you need to:

1. Complete a short 5-minute health questionnaire for one of our doctors to review.
2. Order and pay for your preferred treatment.
3. One of our doctors will review your questionnaire answers to make sure the medication is safe and suitable for you.

If approved, your asthma inhaler will be delivered to your address in discreet packaging, or you can choose to collect it from your nearest Asda Pharmacy.

If your order is not approved, our doctors will contact you about what to do next.

Although you can request your repeat Fostair inhaler safely and quickly online, you should always attend your asthma check-ups, this way your GP can make sure you are getting the right treatment.

Can I buy Fostair inhaler over the counter?

No, you cannot buy Fostair over the counter because it is a prescription medicine that requires a doctor’s approval to check it is safe and suitable for you.

Can I get Fostair inhaler on the NHS?

Yes, Fostair is available on the NHS but you will need to first make an appointment with your GP to get a diagnosis before getting the appropriate treatment.

At Asda Online Doctor, there are alternative combination inhalers to manage your asthma symptoms if Fostair is not suitable for you.

Compare Fostair to a range of treatments available at Asda Online Doctor:

Fostair vs Luforbec

Fostair and Luforbec work in exactly the same way and contain the same active ingredients (beclometasone and formoterol) in the same dosage. Fostair is a branded version of Luforbec, Luforbec is a generic version of the treatment. This means that both work the same, they just have a different name, price, and packaging.

Some patients report slight differences between the two but clinically they both:

• are preventer and reliever inhalers – taken through the mouth into the lungs to manage asthma symptoms
• reduce inflammation and open up lung airways – to relieve symptoms of wheezing and shortness of breath

Both Fostair and Luforbec have been reported in a study to be 66% effective in adult patients.

Fostair and Luforbec also share the same common side effects:

• fungal infections in the mouth or throat
• headaches
• sore throat
• hoarseness

Is Fostair a strong inhaler?

It is considered to be a moderately strong asthma inhaler. It contains a strong steroid (beclometasone) which comes in a lower dose (100/6mcg) and higher dose (200/6).

Is Fostair a steroid inhaler?

Yes, Fostair inhaler contains a strong type of steroid called beclometasone.

Can Fostair cause weight gain?

Rarely. Fostair contains corticosteroids which are to be inhaled and delivered to the lungs, this means that there is very little absorption into the rest of the body outside of the lungs. Oral steroids when used long term have been associated with weight changes due to their effect on other systems in the body.

If you are concerned about weight gain when using Fostair, speak to your doctor.

Do I have to store my Fostair inhaler in the fridge?

Yes. Store your pressurised Fostair inhaler in the fridge before you first use it at 2-8°C temperature.

Once you start using your Fostair inhaler, you do not need to keep it refrigerated but do not store it in temperatures above 25°C.

What’s the difference between Fostair and Fostair NEXThaler?

The key difference is how they are used to deliver your medicine. Fostair comes as a pressurised aerosol spray containing liquid mist that requires you to both inhale and deliver the medicine by pressing the canister. It can also be used with a device called a spacer which can make it easier to coordinate. In comparison, Fostair NEXThaler comes as a dry powder inhaler (DPI) which delivers the medicine when you take a breath, this means:

• Fostair – may be more suitable for you if you have lower lung strength (if you find it hard to breathe deeply).
• Fostair NEXThaler – may be more suitable if you have a hard time coordinating pressing and breathing to take your medicine.

Fostair and Fostair NEXThaler contain the same active ingredients (beclometasone dipropionate and formoterol fumarate dehydrate) and are used to manage asthma symptoms.