Fostair Pink Inhaler

Fostair - Pink Preventer Inhaler

Fostair is a brand of inhaler from the Italian pharmaceutical company Chiesi.

The pink Fostair inhaler contains a corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator. Fostair is used to prevent symptoms of asthma, such as coughing, wheezing and tightness of the chest, from developing.

Fostair is available as a pressurised spray inhaler, or a dry NEXThaler. Fostair comes in two strengths: 100/6 and 200/6.

Fostair 100/6 contains 100 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate, and 6 micrograms of formoterol fumarate dihydrate. Fostair 200/6 contains the same amount of formoterol fumarate, but contains 200 micrograms of the corticosteroid known as beclometasone.

To begin your order of the pink Fostair inhaler, simply complete our online medical form for one of our doctors to review.

If our doctor approves your order before 3pm, we can dispatch your item the same day. All items are dispatched from our UK registered pharmacy in discreet packaging to maintain your privacy.

What is Fostair (pink inhaler)?

Fostair is a pink combination inhaler for asthma, which contains two active substances: Beclometasone dipropionate and formoterol fumarate dehydrate.

Beclometasone dipropionate belongs to a group of medicines known as corticosteroids (steroids), which reduce inflammation, relieve irritation to your lungs and suppresses the immune system.

Formoterol fumarate dihydrate belongs to a group of medicines called long-acting bronchodilators, which make breathing easier by relaxing the muscles in the lungs and widening the airways.

Combined, these two active substances help to make breathing easier, by providing relief from symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing for asthma sufferers.

What does Fostair look like?

The medicine is contained in a pressurised canister, which is enclosed in a pink inhaler casing with either a pink or green cap over the mouth piece.

The different colour cap indicates the dosage:

• Fostair 100/6 has a pink cap/label
• Fostair 200/6 has a green cap/label

The colours represent the same doses for both Fostair inhalers and Fostair NEXThalers.

You will find a number counter on both the aerosol inhaler and Fostair NEXThaler of the inhaler, which tells you how many doses are left. Each inhaler contains 120 doses.

Every time you press the canister down, a puff of Fostair is released and the counter will count down by one. This is useful for seeing how many doses are left in the inhaler, and can also be used to determine how often you are using your inhaler.

Why are Fostair inhalers pink?

Asthma inhalers are colour coded; each colour represents the group it belongs to based upon how it works.

The pink Fostair inhaler belongs to a group of inhalers called Combination ICS (inhaled corticosteroid)/LABA (Long-acting Muscarinic Antagonist) inhalers. Inhalers within this class are typically coloured pink, red or purple. Other inhalers that belong to this group include Seretide and Symbicort.

Typically, the pink fostair inhaler is taken once in the morning and once in the evening to prevent asthma attacks. However, it is possible to use Fostair as a reliever inhaler. Your doctor will tell you how you should take Fostair.

For reference, reliever inhalers like Ventolin are typically blue, corticosteroid (steroid) inhalers like Qvar or Clenil Modulite are usually brown, and long-acting beta₂ agonists like Serevent are usually green or teal.

How does the pink Fostair inhaler work for asthma?

Fostair is used for the regular treatment of asthma in adults whose condition is either:

• Not controlled sufficiently by using inhaled corticosteroids and ‘as needed’ short-acting bronchodilators or;
• Responding well to the combined treatment of both corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators.

Fostair does not cure asthma but is used to help manage your asthma symptoms.

When taken regularly, it can prevent the incidence of wheezing and breathlessness..

Your doctor can prescribe Fostair in a few different ways:

1. Use Fostair on its own every day to treat your asthma and use it to treat sudden aggravating asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing.
2. Use Fostair every day to treat your asthma alongside a separate reliever inhaler to treat sudden aggravating asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing.
3. Use Fostair together with a separate reliever inhaler, which brings relief from acute asthma symptoms.

While using asthma inhalers, it's important to be aware of things which might trigger an asthma attack.

You should always carry your reliever inhaler with you in case your symptoms suddenly worsen. Your pink Fostair inhaler is not a replacement for your blue reliever inhaler, if you have been prescribed one.

How Do I Take Fostair?

Always use Fostair inhalers exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has prescribed. Your doctor will tell you how many puffs to take and how often to take Fostair.

When taking Fostair, your doctor will advise regular check-ups to make sure the dose is working for you and make any adjustments to your treatment as necessary.

Fostair can be used as both a preventer inhaler and a reliever inhaler.

Taking Fostair as a "reliever" inhaler alongside a "preventer" inhaler:

Fosair can be used as a reliever. When asthma symptoms arise, take one puff from the pink inhaler and wait for symptoms to improve.

Your symptoms should improve within a couple of minutes of taking Fostair.

Do not take more than 6 puffs of Fostair a day when using it as a "reliever".

Taking Fostair as a "reliever" and "preventer" inhaler:

If your doctor has prescribed Fostair as a preventer, the usual dosage is 1 puff in the morning and 1 puff in the evening.

When asthma symptoms occur, you can use Fostair as a reliever inhaler.

Do not take more than 8 puffs of your pink Fostair inhaler when using it as your only inhaler.

How to take Fostair:

Fostair is for inhalation use and should be inhaled directly through your mouth and delivered into your lungs.

1. Sit or stand upright with your chin raised slightly.
2. Shake the inhaler before each use.
3. Exhale gently until you feel the urge to breathe in.
4. Put the mouthpiece of the inhaler in your mouth and close your mouth around it to create a tight seal. Do not bite or chew on the mouthpiece.
5. Begin to breathe in deeply and press the canister to release the medicine.
6. Continue to breathe in to ensure the medicine reaches your lungs.
7. Hold your breathe for 10 seconds (or for as long as you feel comfortable).
8. Exhale slowly through your mouth.

When you have finished using your Fostair inhaler, replace the cap and store it in a safe place.

Be mindful not to drop the pink inhaler as this can cause the counter to count down, resulting in an incorrect reading on the remaining amount of doses.

What should I do if I forget to take my Fostair inhaler when I should?

If you forget to take your pink inhaler when you should do, take it as soon as you remember and continue to take Fostair as you normally would.

Do not take more Fostair to make up for the missed dose.

If you often forget when to take your pink inhaler, store it somewhere that will jog your memory. If possible, try to keep your inhalers together and make a mental note to take your pink inhaler as prescribed.

Forgetting to take your pink inhaler may increase the risk of your asthma symptoms worsening.

What should I do if I take too much Fostair pink inhaler?

If you take more Fostair than you should, inform your doctor right away or go straight to your nearest hospital. Remember to take the packaging with you, even if it’s empty, so that doctors treating know exactly what and how much you have taken.

If you notice that your symptoms are getting worse, or are becoming difficult to control (e.g. if you need to use Fostair more often, or if Fostair stops working for you), then you need to see your doctor as soon as you can. They may change your dose of Fostair or prescribe an alternative asthma treatment if suitable.

Can I use my pink Fostair inhaler with a spacer?

Yes, you can use an AeroChamber Plus spacer with the Fostair aerosol inhaler.

We encourage you to speak to your doctor about using a spacer with your pink inhaler. They will be able to show you the correct technique for using a spacer with Fostair and tell you which spacers are compatible with your inhaler.

A spacer is a plastic tube that has a mouthpiece on one end. On the other end, you can attach your inhaler.

Using a spacer extends the amount of time it takes for the medicine to enter the lungs. It also gives you more time to inhale the medicine, meaning it can enter the lungs more effectively.

The spacer also concentrates the medicine into a tube, which stops it from escaping into the air.

Fostair side effects and cautions

Before you use Fostair, it’s important to read the accompanying patient information leaflet (PIL). This leaflet contains important information regarding the use and safety of the medicine.

You can read the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for Fostair inhalers online.

Side effects of Fostair

Every medicine carries the risk of side effects, though not everyone taking Fostair will experience them. It’s important to be aware of the side effects throughout your course of treatment.

Common Fostair side effects include:

• Fungal infections in the mouth or throat (oral thrush)
• Headache
• Hoarseness
• Sore throat
• Pneumonia (in COPD patients)

This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. Further information regarding the safety of Fostair, including a complete list of side effects, can be found inside the patient information leaflet which comes with your inhaler.

Allergies

Do not use Fostair if you are allergic to beclometasone dipropionate, formoterol fumarate dihydrate or any of the other excipients listed in the leaflet.

Signs of an allergic reaction include:

• Chest tightening
• Dry, red, cracked skin
• Itchy, red, watery eyes
• Raised, itchy, red rash (hives)
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
• Tummy pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• Wheezing

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not use Fostair if you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding, unless your doctor has advised that it is safe to do so.

If you become pregnant while taking Fostair, inform your doctor right away.

Other safety information

If you have any questions about Fostair or asthma, our online prescriber will be happy to help you. You can discuss any concerns with our prescriber using the "my chats" feature under your Prescription Doctor account.

Please inform our medical team of all medicines you are currently taking, including those prescribed by your doctor, or bought over the counter, as well as health or herbal supplements.

Do not use Fostair beyond 3 months from the date the inhaler was prescribed to you.

Never use Fostair past the expiry date printed on the packaging.

How do I store Fostair inhaler?

Do not store Fostair above 25°C. Keep Fostair in a cool, dry place.

Always store Fostair and other other medicine out of sight and reach from children and pets.

Never throw away medicine via household or water waste as this can damage the environment. Instead, you should take any expired or unwanted medicine to your local pharmacy, who can dispose them safely on your behalf.

Never share your Fostair inhaler with anybody else, even if they are experiencing the same symptoms or have been diagnosed with the same condition as you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Authored & Reviewed By

Mohamed Imran Lakhi

MPharm - Lead Pharmacist

Imran Lakhi is the superintendent pharmacist and founder at Prescription Doctor. He has been at the core of our team.

Published on: 19/01/2021 Reviewed on: 26/10/2023