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 chest tightness, 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 for the pink Fostair inhaler, complete our online medical form, which will be reviewed by one of our doctors.

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

What is Fostair (pink inhaler)?

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

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

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

Combined, these two active substances help 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 mouthpiece.

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 the Fostair NEXThaler, which indicates the number of remaining doses. 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 feature is useful for tracking the number of doses remaining in the inhaler and can also help determine how often you are using it.

Why are Fostair inhalers pink?

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

The pink Fostair inhaler belongs to a group of inhalers called Combination ICS (inhaled corticosteroid)/LABA (Long-Acting Beta Agonist) 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 twice a day, 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 instruct you on how to take Fostair.

For reference, reliever inhalers, such as 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 it 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 manage 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 manage your asthma, in conjunction with a separate reliever inhaler to treat sudden, aggravating asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, or coughing.
3. Use Fostair in combination with a separate reliever inhaler to provide 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 instruct you on how many puffs to take and how often to use Fostair.

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

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 breath 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 number 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, take it as soon as you remember and continue to take Fostair as you normally would.

Do not take a double dose of Fostair to make up for a missed dose.

If you often forget when to take your pink inhaler, store it in a place that will remind you. 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 immediately or go directly to the nearest hospital. Remember to take the packaging with you, even if it’s empty, so that doctors treating you know exactly what and how much you have taken.

If you notice that your symptoms are worsening or becoming difficult to control (e.g., if you need to use Fostair more frequently or if Fostair stops working for you), please see your doctor as soon as possible. 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 demonstrate the correct technique for using a spacer with Fostair and inform 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 allows you to inhale the medicine more effectively, giving you more time to absorb it into your lungs.

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

Fostair side effects and cautions

Before using Fostair, it’s essential 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 essential to be aware of the potential side effects throughout your treatment course.

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, please inform your doctor immediately.

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 for more than 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 inhalers?

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

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

Never dispose of medicine via household or water waste, as this can harm the environment. Instead, you should take any expired or unwanted medicine to your local pharmacy, which can dispose of 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