Fostair® NEXThaler®
Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist has prescribed Fostair NEXThaler, a dry powder inhaler (DPI), to help you to manage your asthma (100/6 or 200/6) or COPD (100/6). Your prescribed inhaler should look like the image here.
Taking your inhaler as prescribed can help to manage your symptoms, and this page contains information to help you with this.
Remember, should you need additional advice regarding your asthma or COPD, please speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
For resources for your condition, please click the relevant button in line with your prescription.
How to use your Fostair NEXThaler
Firstly, it’s important to read all of the Patient Information Leaflet provided with your inhaler carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
You can download the Patient Information Leaflet for Fostair NEXThaler 100/6 or Fostair NEXThaler 200/6 on these links.
First use
When using a new inhaler, you should:
- Write down the date you opened the pouch on the box label
- Open the pouch and take out your inhaler
- If your inhaler was not sealed, is damaged, broken or showing less than ‘120’ on the dose counter, please return it to the pharmacy where it was supplied and request a new one.1
Everyday use
To use your Fostair inhaler, follow the 5 steps shown here. Don’t rush yourself, especially during steps 2 to 5.
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Step 1
OPEN
Open the cover fully with your inhaler in the upright position.
Note the number of doses left on the dose counter. Any number between “1” and “120” shows that there are doses left.
Step 2
INHALE
Whenever possible, stand or sit in an upright position when inhaling.
Before inhaling breathe out as far as is comfortable.
Do not breathe out through your inhaler.
Lift your inhaler up, bring it to your mouth and place your lips around the mouthpiece.
Do not cover the air vent when holding our inhaler and do not inhale through the air vent.
Take a forceful and deep breath through your mouth.
- You may notice a taste when you take your dose.
- You may hear or feel a click when the dose has been released from the device.
- Do not inhale through your nose.
- Do not remove your inhaler from your lips during the inhalation.
Step 3
EXHALE
Remove your inhaler from your mouth.
Hold your breath for 5 to 10 seconds or as long as is comfortable.
Breathe out slowly.
Step 4
CLOSE
Close the cover fully with the inhaler in the upright position.
Step 5
Check that the dose counter has gone down by 1. This will indicate that you have successfully inhaled a dose.
If you are not sure the dose counter has gone down by one after inhalation, wait until your next scheduled dose and take this as normal. Do not take an extra dose.
To take a second dose
Repeat steps 1 to 5. Do not repeat steps 2 to 5 too quickly.
After use
To lower the risk of a fungal infection in your mouth and throat, rinse your mouth or gargle with water, without swallowing, or brush your teeth each time after you use your inhaler.
Regular cleaning is normally not needed but you can clean it after use with a dry cloth or tissue, not with water or other liquids. It’s important to keep your inhaler dry.
Replacements and disposal
You should get a replacement when the dose counter shows ‘0’. Medicines should not be disposed of via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required.
These measures will help to protect the environment.
In line with your prescription, select the Fostair NEXThaler for asthma or Fostair NEXThaler for COPD tab for specific resources for your condition.
Fostair NEXThaler 100/6 or 200/6 for asthma
Your inhaler contains two medications:
- Beclometasone, a corticosteroid, that helps to reduce swelling and inflammation in your lungs
- Formoterol, a long-acting bronchodilator, that helps to open up the airways to help make breathing easier.
Your Fostair NEXThaler will either be named 100/6 (with a white and pink label) or 200/6 (with a green label). These numbers relate to the dose of medication.
It is important that you know how to use your inhaler properly.
Fostair NEXThaler 100/6 and 200/6 for maintenance
Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will show you how to use your inhaler correctly. You should follow their instructions carefully so that you know how many puffs to inhale, and when.
It is important that you use your preventer inhaler as prescribed, even if you feel well, as this will help control your asthma symptoms.
Fostair NEXThaler 100/6 for maintenance and reliever therapy (MART)
You may have been prescribed Fostair NEXThaler 100/6 for maintenance and reliver therapy (MART). Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor, nurse or pharmacist has told you.
You may previously have used a blue inhaler as a reliever inhaler, but your Fostair NEXThaler 100/6 inhaler can now do the job of both your usual maintenance therapy and your blue inhaler.
Fostair NEXThaler 100/6 for COPD
Your inhaler contains two medications:
- Beclometasone, a corticosteroid, that helps to reduce swelling and inflammation in your lungs
- Formoterol, a long-acting bronchodilator, that helps to open up the airways to help make breathing easier.
It is important that you know how to use your inhaler properly.
Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will show you how-to-use your inhaler correctly. You should follow their instructions carefully so that you know how many puffs to inhale, and when.
It is important that you use your preventer inhaler as prescribed, even if you feel well, as this will help control your COPD symptoms.
Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will advise you on how your Fostair NEXThaler should be taken in combination with other medication and provide you with a COPD action plan to help you manage your respiratory symptoms.
How to use Fostair NEXThaler
Frequently Asked Questions
Using your inhaler
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It is very important for you to use your medicine every day as prescribed by your doctor even though you might not have symptoms.
Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will advise you on how your medicine should be taken in combination with any other medication and provide you with an action plan to help you manage your respiratory symptoms.
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When you don’t have any symptoms or you feel like you don’t need it, it can be easy to forget to use your inhaler. You should remember that regular use of your inhaler is important to keep you feeling this way.
You should use your inhaler as prescribed, even when you are feeling well.
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Please refer to our step-by-step user guides on how to use your inhaler for asthma, for asthma (MART) and for COPD.
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Your Fostair NEXThaler device has been developed with a triple feedback system to provide you with reassurance that you have taken a dose successfully.
You will hear and/or feel a click when you inhale your dose. This means that the dose has been released from the inhaler. Note that opening and closing the cover will also make a click sound.
You may notice a taste when you take your dose.
When you close the cover after a successful inhalation, the dose counter will go down by one. The counter will not decrease if you do not successfully inhale a dose.
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In the event that you open the inhaler, and then close the cover without inhaling, the dose is moved back to the powder reservoir within the inhaler.
Doses do not accumulate. This means you can’t accidentally take extra medicine or a double dose in one inhalation.
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Your inhaler should last you 30 days if you are taking 2 inhalations, twice a day, every day. You should order a replacement when the dose counter approaches zero.
Looking after your inhaler
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Store your Fostair NEXThaler in the original package in order to protect from moisture.
Only remove the inhaler from its pouch immediately before first use. Once opened, do not store above 25°C, and use within 6 months. You can use the label on the box to write down the date you open the pouch.
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Normally, it is not necessary to clean your inhaler. You may clean your inhaler after use with a dry cloth or tissue.
Do not clean your inhaler with water or other liquids. Keep it dry.
Side effects and other medication
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Like all medicines, Fostair may cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If you do get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the Patient Information Leaflet. You can download the Patient Information Leaflet for Fostair NEXThaler 100/6 or Fostair NEXThaler 200/6 on these links.
You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme. By reporting side effects you help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
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Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can advise you about using other prescribed medications. You should also check with your pharmacist before taking medicines bought over the counter.
You must tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about any medication you may be taking, including herbal remedies.
It can be isolating, suffering from a condition that may limit your ability to get out and about. There is a lot of information available online, but it’s important to go to a reliable source. The suggested resources listed below can offer you further support on the various aspects of living with COPD or asthma.
NHS
Helpline: 111 (non-emergency)
NHS asthma information
NHS COPD information
NHS Smokefree
Asthma + Lung UK
Helpline: 0300 222 5800 (non-emergency)
Explore support for asthma
Explore support for COPD
The information provided here is not intended to replace the advice of your healthcare professional. If you have any questions about your medication, please speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
If you have not been prescribed Fostair and are looking for information on another Chiesi respiratory product please visit our homepage.
Reporting of side effects: If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.