Fostair Inhalers

Fostair is a pressurized inhalation solution that contains two active ingredients that are inhaled through the mouth and released directly into the lungs.

The two active substances are beclomethasone dipropionate and formoterol fumarate dihydrate. Beclomethasone dipropionate belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids that have an anti-inflammatory action that reduces inflammation and irritation in your lungs.

Formoterol fumarate dihydrate belongs to a group of medicines called long-acting bronchodilators that relax the muscles in the airways so they help you breathe easier.

These two active ingredients combined make breathing easier by providing relief from symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing and cough in asthmatic or COPD patients, and also help prevent asthma symptoms.

The Fostair inhaler contains beclomethasone dipropionate and formoterol formulated in dry powder resulting in an extra-fine aerosol with an average mass of aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 1.4 - 1.7 microns and joint deposit of both components. Fostair inhaler's aerosol particles are on average much smaller than the particles released in non-extra-fine formulations.

The two active Fostair inhaler ingredients have different mechanisms of action. As with other combinations of corticosteroids and beta2 agonists, additive effects are observed in terms of reducing asthma exacerbations.

Beclomethasone dipropionate

Beclomethasone dipropionate administered by inhalation at the recommended doses has a glucocorticoid anti-inflammatory action in the lungs that results in a reduction in symptoms and asthma exacerbations, with fewer adverse effects than when systemically administered corticosteroids.

Formoterol

Formoterol is a selective beta2 adrenergic agonist that relaxes the bronchial smooth muscle in patients with reversible airway obstruction. The bronchodilator effect starts quickly (1-3 minutes after inhalation) and lasts for up to 12 hours after dose administration.

Fostair is indicated in the routine treatment of asthma in adult patients in whom:

Asthma is insufficiently controlled through the use of inhaled corticosteroids and short-acting bronchodilators administered "on-demand".

Asthma responds well to a combined treatment of corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators.

Fostair can also be used to treat symptoms of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adult patients. COPD is a chronic disease of the pulmonary airways caused mainly by cigarette smoking.

Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

Asthma

You will be checked regularly by your doctor to make sure you are taking the optimal dose of Fostair. Your doctor will always adjust the treatment to the minimum dose that best controls your symptoms.

Fostair can be prescribed by your doctor in two different ways:

• Use Fostair daily to treat your asthma together with a separate "rescue" inhaler to treat a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and cough.
• Use Fostair daily to treat your asthma and also use Fostair to treat a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and cough.

Use of Fostair together with a separate 'rescue' inhaler.

Adults and the elderly:

The recommended dose of this medicine is one to two pulsations twice a day.

The maximum daily dose is 4 pulses.

Remember: You should always carry a fast-acting 'rescue' inhaler with you to treat a worsening of asthma symptoms or a sudden asthma attack.

Using Fostair as the only asthma inhaler:

Adults and the elderly:

The recommended dose of this medicine is one pulsation in the morning and one pulsation at night. Whenever possible, stand or sit upright to inhale.

1. Remove the protective cap from the nozzle and check that it is clean, that is, that there are no traces of dust, dirt, or other foreign particles.
2. Exhale as slowly and deeply as possible.
3. Hold the container upright with your body up and place the mouthpiece between your lips. Do not bite the mouthpiece.
4. Take a slow, deep breath in through your mouth, and just as you begin to inhale, press firmly on the top of the inhaler to release a dose.
5. Hold your breath as long as you can and finally remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out slowly. Do not breathe out into the inhaler.
6. In case you need to inhale a new dose, hold the inhaler upright for about half a minute, and then repeat steps 2 through 5.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

As with other inhaler treatments, there is a risk of worsening shortness of breath and wheezing immediately after using Fostair, known as paradoxical bronchospasm. If this happens, STOP using Fostair and then use your quick-acting inhaler to treat symptoms of respiratory distress and wheezing. Contact your doctor immediately.

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience hypersensitivity reactions, such as skin allergies, itching, rash, redness of the skin, swelling of the skin or mucosa, especially in the eyes, face, lips, and throat.

Common Fostair Inhalers side effects (at least 1 in 10 patients):

• Fungal infections (of the mouth and throat), headache, hoarseness, sore throat.
• Pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in patients with COPD: tell your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms while inhaling Fostair, they could be symptoms of a lung infection:
• Fever or chills
• Increased mucus production, change in mucus color
• Increased cough or increased difficulty breathing

Uncommon Fostair Inhalers side effects (at least 1 in 100 patients):

• Palpitations, exceptionally fast heartbeat, and heart rhythm disturbances, certain electrocardiographic abnormalities (ECG).
• Flu-like symptoms, fungal infections of the vagina, sinusitis (inflammation of the paranasal sinuses), rhinitis, inflammation of the ear, irritation of the throat, cough and productive cough, asthma attacks.
• Nausea, altered or decreased sense of taste, burning lips, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, indigestion, gastric distress, diarrhea.
• Muscle pain and cramps, redness of the face, increased blood circulation in certain body tissues, excessive sweating, tremors, restlessness, dizziness, rash, or hives.
• Alterations of certain components of the blood: decrease in the number of leukocytes, increase in the number of platelets, decrease in the concentration of potassium in the blood, increase in the concentration of glucose in the blood, increase in the concentration of insulin, free fatty acids and ketones in the blood.

The following side effects have also been reported as “rare” in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

• Reduction of the amount of cortisol in the blood; This is caused by the effect of corticosteroids on your adrenal gland.
• Irregular heartbeat.

Rare (at least 1 in 1,000 patients)

• Feeling of tightness in the chest, feeling of loss of heartbeat (due to premature contraction of the heart ventricles), increase or decrease in blood pressure, inflammation of the kidney, swelling in the skin and mucosa persistent for several days.

Very rare (at least 1 in 10,000 patients)

• Difficulty breathing, worsening asthma, decreased platelet count, swelling in the hands and feet

You can buy Fostair Inhaler online through one of the UK’s leading online pharmacies, Pharmacy Planet. It's easy and convenient. You will need to fill out a short assessment and the item will be delivered directly to your door. If you want to buy this Asthma treatment medication online, use Pharmacy Planet, a UK pharmacy you can trust.