Fostair NEXThaler

What is Fostair NEXThaler for?

Please note: Your doctor may have prescribed you the Fostair NEXThaler to be used with Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART). If you've been prescribed Fostair for a MART treatment plan, please provide information about this for our Prescribers within your consultation answers.

Your doctor may have prescribed you a Fostair NEXThaler type of inhaler:

• To use daily by itself for treatment of your condition (asthma/COPD), alleviating sudden aggravating symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, or a shortness of breath.
• To use daily alongside a separate reliever inhaler for treatment of your condition (asthma/COPD), alleviating sudden aggravating symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, or a shortness of breath.

If you’ve been prescribed a Fostair NEXThaler, it is likely that:

• Your asthma is not adequately controlled by using inhaled corticosteroids and 'as needed' short-acting bronchodilators, or;
• Your asthma is responding well to both corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators.

The Fostair NEXThaler can also be used to treat the symptoms of severe COPD in adults. COPD is a long term disease of the airways in the lungs which is primarily caused by cigarette smoking.

Do not buy Fostair NEXThaler however to offer relief from acute asthma/COPD symptoms. For treatment of acute asthma attacks, the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) advises patients to have their short-acting bronchodilator available at all times.

How does Fostair NEXThaler work?

The Fostair NEXThaler has two different active ingredients that work together to help prevent and relieve asthma or COPD symptoms. The first active ingredient is a corticosteroid called ‘Beclometasone Dipropionate’, which helps to decrease inflammation and swelling in the airways.

The second active ingredient is a long-acting bronchodilator called ‘Formoterol Fumarate Dihydrate’, and this works by relaxing and widening the muscles in the airways, which makes it easier for you to breathe. Therefore, if you’ve been prescribed it previously, you can buy Fostair online to prevent or relieve your asthma/COPD symptoms.

Manufacturer Chiesi have previously commented: “Our Fostair product was one of the first to be designed specifically to deliver extrafine particles, and it demonstrates high drug delivery efficiency.”

It should also be noted that according to MIMs, 250mcg Beclometasone administered via a standard inhaler is therapeutically equivalent to 100mcg Beclometasone in a Fostair product when given via the NEXThaler device or the pre-existing pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI).

What’s the difference between Fostair and Seretide?

Both Fostair and Seretide are combination inhalers as they contain 2 active medicines within them, working in different ways to alleviate your asthma or COPD symptoms. However, the active ingredients that each inhaler comprises of are different. 

When you buy Fostair NEXThaler, it contains a corticosteroid called Beclometasone Dipropionate and a long-acting bronchodilator called Formoterol Fumarate, whilst Seretide inhalers contain a corticosteroid called Fluticasone Propionate and a long-acting bronchodilator called Salmeterol. The active ingredients may differ, but both inhalers should work in the exact same way to treat your condition.

How to use Fostair NEXThaler

When you buy Fostair NEXThaler online from our UK Pharmacy, always use the medicine exactly as your doctor has told you to, especially as they may have given you specific instructions for use.

It is imperative to read the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) when you order Fostair inhalers, as the usage can vary depending on your condition (asthma or COPD).

However, the general instructions for actually using the inhaler are:

• If possible stand or sit in an upright position when using the inhaler.
• Check your Fostair NEXThaler for signs of damage. You should also check the dose counter window. There should be 120 doses in a new inhaler.
• Hold the inhaler upright and open the cover.
• Breathe out as much as is comfortable.
• Seal your lips around the mouthpiece and take a deep forceful breath in. Ensure that you do not cover the air vent when using your inhaler. You may hear a click as you inhale.
• Remove the inhaler from your mouth and try to hold your breath for 5 to 10 seconds or as long as is comfortable for you.
• Check that the dose counter has gone down by one number and then replace the cover.

What are the possible side effects of Fostair NEXThaler?

Side effects are rare, and most people don’t get any. Possible side effects may vary from one person to the next with any medication. You should always read the manufacturer’s Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) before using this or any other medication.

This will give you important instructions on how and when to use the medication, as well as any possible side effects of the drug.

How we package your order

Your medication is placed inside a plain delivery box* for protection, then sealed inside a special tamper-proof Royal Mail envelope before being dispatched from our in-house pharmacy.

• Discreet plain packaging / No mention of medication
• Our minimum sized delivery box* to protect the medication in transit is: W - 18cm, H - 6.5cm, D - 8.5cm
• Royal Mail Tracked 24 or 48 hr (UK addresses)
• Royal Mail Special Delivery Before 1pm (UK addresses)
• Royal Mail Local Collect (UK addresses)
• Royal Mail International Signed For (Overseas addresses)
• Some delivery types will require you to sign for the parcel
• Some delivery types will require you to show Photo ID for the parcel
• Find out more information about delivery types here