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 3 pm, our UK registered pharmacy can dispense and dispatch your pink inhaler directly to you. All items dispatched from our pharmacy are packaged discreetly to maintain your privacy.

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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.

Why is Fostair a pink inhaler?

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

The pink inhaler belongs to a group of inhalers called Combination ICS (inhaled corticosteroid)/LABA (Long-acting Muscarinic Antagonist) inhalers.

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.

Please understand that colours may differ depending on dosage or strength of the medicine.

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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 and control asthma and its symptoms. When taken regularly, it can prevent the incidence of bronchospasm and make breathing easier.

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, nor should you use it in replacement of your reliever inhaler.

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How Do I Take Fostair?

Always use Fostair inhalers exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has prescribed. The pharmacist’s label will tell you how many puffs to take and how often to take them.

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.

There are two ways to take Fostair.

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.

If your symptoms do not improve over the few minutes after taking the dose, take another puff.

Do not take more than 6 puffs of Fostair when using the pink inhaler as a "reliever".

Taking Fostair as your only inhaler:

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

If your doctor has prescribed Fostair like this, you should take 1 puff in the morning and 1 in the evening.

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

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

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

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 mouthpiece.

The different colour cap indicates the dosage - Fostair 100/6 has a pink cap, while Fostair 200/6 has a green cap. Regardless of the dosage, the body of the inhaler is pink.

You will find a number counter on the back of the inhaler, which tells you how many doses are left. Every time you press the canister, a puff of medicine is released and the counter will count down by one.

Each inhaler contains 120 doses.

Taking Fostair:

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 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.

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.

If you notice that your symptoms are getting worse, or are becoming challenging to control (e.g. making you use a separate reliever inhaler more regularly, or if your reliever inhaler does not improve your symptoms), then you need to see your Doctor immediately. They may change your dose of Fostair or prescribe an alternative asthma treatment if suitable.

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 which 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.

Can I use my pink Fostair inhaler with a spacer?

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

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.

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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 medicine.

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 pink inhalers or your condition, our online doctor will be happy to help you.

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, and never use Fostair past the expiry date printed on the packaging.

Do not store Fostair above 25°C.

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.

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

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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