Fostair

Fostair is a treatment for the respiratory conditions asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is a pressurised inhalation solution, otherwise known as an inhaler or “puffer”.

As a combination inhaler, Fostair has two uses. Firstly, it prevents symptoms of COPD and asthma from worsening. Secondly, it opens airways and relieves breathing difficulties during flare-ups. You can use Fostair both before you anticipate breathing difficulties (e.g. before exercise) and during an attack to increase the capacity of your lungs.

To order this treatment online, you should have a previous diagnosis of the above-mentioned conditions and a previous prescription from a doctor.

Please note - orders approved before 4:30 pm Monday to Friday (excluding weekends and bank holidays) will be received the next day.

Fostair contains two active ingredients; these are the ingredients that produce a medicine’s desired effect.

The first, beclometasone dipropionate, is a corticosteroid, which has an anti-inflammatory effect, reducing inflammation in the lungs and airways. Asthma is often exacerbated by “triggers” like stress or cigarette smoke. Your body, perceiving these as threats, narrows your airways. Corticosteroids counteract this immune response, helping to keep your airways open.

The second active ingredient is formoterol fumarate, a long-acting bronchodilator. By relaxing the muscles in your airways, it helps more air to pass into your lungs, making breathing considerably easier.

Fostair inhalers emit a high amount of greenhouse gases when compared to alternative inhalers. This is because it is a pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI).

pMDIs contain harmful gases in their propellants which are released into the atmosphere when the inhaler is used. These gases are a thousand times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

For a more environmentally friendly inhaler, consider a dry powder inhaler (DPI) or a soft mist inhaler (SMI), as these do not release any carbon emissions. Ask your doctor about environmentally friendly options suitable for you.

You should always follow the advice of the prescribing doctor. If you have any doubts about how to use this medication, contact a relevant healthcare professional. You may also consult the patient information leaflet (PIL) for further information; a PIL is included with all HealthExpress orders.

You should ensure that you are receiving regular health reviews from your doctor. The efficacy and necessity of your treatments may change over time.

When used for asthma:

• the recommended dose is one puff in the morning and one puff in the evening
• inhale one puff every time you experience a worsening of symptoms
• do not exceed a maximum of four puffs per day

When used for COPD:

• the recommended dose is two puffs in the morning and two puffs in the evening
• do not exceed a maximum of four puffs per day

If you find the use of Fostair does not improve your symptoms, contact your doctor. You may need an increased dosage or a different treatment. Do not exceed the recommended dose or else you risk side effects.

How to administer a puff:

1. remove the cap from the mouthpiece
2. exhale deeply
3. inhale deeply, press the top of the inhaler firmly as you breathe in
4. hold your breath to ensure the medication has time to work on your airways

If you need to take more than one puff, wait 30 seconds before repeating the steps above.

There is a dose counter on the rear base of the inhaler. It should display 120 when new. Once you get down to 20 doses, you should ideally look for a replacement. You should stop using the inhaler when it displays zero.

It is recommended that you clean your inhaler every week. You should leave the canister in place. Do not use any water or soaps when cleaning in case the canister becomes contaminated. Instead, wipe the inhaler mouthpiece with a tissue.

You should report any adverse effects, even those not listed as side effects, to your doctor. All prescription medications pose a risk of side effects.

When using this medication, you should understand the reaction paradoxical bronchospasm. In response to the use of bronchodilator inhalers, a rare reaction is the constriction of the airways. If this occurs, immediately use your reliever inhaler and seek medical attention.

The following are the most commonly reported side effects for Fostair:

• headache
• hoarseness
• sore throat
• cough

The long-term use of corticosteroids can increase the risk of infections. If you have persistent or multiple infections, inform your doctor.

For a detailed list of side effects, including less common and rare effects, please consult the PIL.

You can report any side effects to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) via the Yellow Card Scheme.

You should ask your doctor about different treatments if you suspect you are allergic to any of Fostair’s ingredients; a complete list of ingredients is included in the PIL.

You should not use this inhaler if you are also using beta-blockers (e.g. atenolol, propranolol and sotalol). The combination of medications may reduce Fostair’s efficacy.

What precautions should I take?

As with all medications, you should make sure to inform the prescribing physician of all treatments you are using and any conditions you suffer from.

Fostair should not be used if you suffer from any of the following:

• heart conditions: chest pain (angina), heart attack, structural abnormalities, palpitations, etc.
• high blood pressure
• narrowing of the arteries (arteriosclerosis)
• liver or kidney disease
• diabetes
• tuberculosis (TB) or other bacterial, viral or fungal chest infections
• low potassium levels (hypokalaemia)
• HIV

You can buy Fostair online, along with other treatments for asthma and COPD, from HealthExpress. Our service is all-inclusive; one payment includes consultation, prescription and delivery.

Start a consultation today to provide our doctors with the information they need to make a safe prescribing decision. If they believe a treatment is beneficial for you, they will issue a prescription to our pharmacy. Once an order is dispensed, you should expect delivery within one working day. If our doctors do not approve of your order, they will explain why and you will receive a full refund.