Fostair NEXThaler 100 micrograms/6 micrograms per actuation inhalation powder

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

1. What Fostair NEXThaler is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Fostair NEXThaler
3. How to use Fostair NEXThaler
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Fostair NEXThaler
6. Contents of the pack and other information

Fostair NEXThaler is used to treat asthma in adults.

If you are prescribed Fostair NEXThaler it is likely that either:

• 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.

Fostair NEXThaler can also be used to treat the symptoms of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adult patients. COPD is a long term disease of the airways in the lungs which is primarily caused by cigarette smoking.

if you are allergic to beclometasone dipropionate anhydrous or formoterol fumarate dihydrate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Talk to your doctor before using Fostair NEXThaler if you have any of the following:

• heart problems, these include any known disorder of your heart and/or heart function
• disorders of the heart rhythm such as increased or irregular heart rate, a fast pulse rate or palpitations, or if you have been told that your heart trace is abnormal
• high blood pressure
• narrowing of the arteries (also known as arteriosclerosis), or if you know that you have an aneurysm (an abnormal bulging of the blood vessel wall)
• an overactive thyroid gland
• low blood levels of potassium
• any disease of your liver or kidneys
• diabetes. If you inhale high doses of formoterol your blood glucose may increase and therefore you may need to have some additional blood tests to check your blood sugar when you start using this inhaler and from time to time during treatment.
• tumour of the adrenal gland (known as a phaeochromocytoma)
• you are due to have an anaesthetic. Depending on the type of anaesthetic, it may be necessary to stop taking Fostair NEXThaler at least 12 hours before the anaesthesia.
• you are being, or have ever been, treated for tuberculosis (TB) or if you have a known viral or fungal infection of your chest.

If any of the above applies to you, always inform your doctor before you use Fostair NEXThaler.

If you are not sure whether you can use Fostair NEXThaler talk to your doctor, asthma nurse or pharmacist before using the inhaler.

Your doctor may wish to measure the potassium levels in your blood from time to time especially if your asthma is severe. Like many bronchodilators Fostair NEXThaler can cause a sharp fall in your serum potassium level (hypokalaemia). This is because a lack of oxygen in the blood combined with some other treatments you may be taking together with Fostair NEXThaler can make the fall in potassium level worse.

If you are using an inhaler to take high doses of corticosteroids over a long period of time, you may have more of a need for corticosteroids in situations of stress. Stressful situations might include being taken to hospital after an accident, having a serious injury, or before an operation. In this case, the doctor treating you will decide whether you may need to increase your dose of corticosteroids and may prescribe some steroid tablets or a steroid injection.

Should you need to go to the hospital, remember to take all of your medicines and inhalers with you, including Fostair NEXThaler and any medicines or tablets bought without a prescription, in their original package, if possible.

Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.

Do not give this medicine to children and adolescents aged less than 18 years.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This is because Fostair NEXThaler may affect the way some other medicines work. Also, some medicines can affect the way Fostair NEXThaler works.

In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using any of the following medicines:

• Some medicines may increase the effects of Fostair NEXThaler and your doctor may wish to monitor you carefully if you are taking these medicines (including some medicines for HIV: ritonavir, cobicistat).
• Beta-blocker medicines. Beta blockers are medicines used to treat many conditions including heart problems, high blood pressure or glaucoma (increased pressure in the eyes). If you need to use beta blockers (including eye-drops), the effect of formoterol may be reduced or formoterol may not work at all.
• Beta adrenergic drugs (drugs which work in the same way as formoterol) may increase the effects of formoterol.
• Medicines for treating abnormal heart rhythms (quinidine, disopyramide, procainamide)
• Medicines to treat allergic reactions (antihistamines such as terfenadine)
• Medicines to treat symptoms of depression or mental disorders such as monoaminoxidase inhibitors (for example phenelzine and isocarboxazid) or tricyclic antidepressants (for example amitryptiline and imipramine) or phenothiazines
• Medicines to treat Parkinson’s Disease (L-dopa)
• Medicines to treat an underactive thyroid gland (L-thyroxine)
• Medicines containing oxytocin (which causes uterine contraction)
• Medicines to treat mental disorders such as monoaminoxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including drugs with similar properties like furazolidone and procarbazine
• Medicines to treat heart disease (digoxin)
• Other medicines used to treat asthma (theophylline, aminophylline or steroids)
• Diuretics (water tablets)

Also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are going to have a general anaesthetic for an operation or for dental work.

There is no clinical data on the use of Fostair NEXThaler during pregnancy.

If you think you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant please consult your doctor. You should only use Fostair NEXThaler during pregnancy if you are advised to do so by your doctor. Your doctor will decide whether you must stop taking Fostair NEXThaler during breastfeeding or you should take Fostair NEXThaler but refrain from breastfeeding. Always follow the advice of your doctor strictly.

Fostair NEXThaler is unlikely to affect your ability to drive and use machines. However if you experience side effects such as dizziness and/or trembling, your ability to drive or operate machinery may be affected.

Lactose contains small amounts of milk proteins, which may cause reactions in allergic patients. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

Your doctor will give you a regular check-up to make sure you are taking the correct dose of Fostair NEXThaler. Once your asthma is well controlled your doctor may consider it appropriate to gradually reduce the dose of Fostair NEXThaler. Under no circumstances should you change the dose without first speaking to your doctor.

a) use Fostair NEXThaler every day to treat your asthma together with a separate “reliever “ inhaler to treat sudden worsening of asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing and cough

b) use Fostair NEXThaler every day to treat your asthma and also use Fostair NEXThaler to treat sudden worsening of your asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing and cough

a) Using Fostair NEXThaler together with a separate “reliever”:

Adults and the elderly:

The recommended dose of this medicine is 1 or 2 inhalations twice daily.

The maximum daily dose is 4 inhalations.

Remember: You should always have your quick-acting “reliever” inhaler with you at all times to treat worsening symptoms of asthma or a sudden asthma attack.

b) Using Fostair NEXThaler as your only asthma inhaler:

Adults and the elderly:

The usual dose is one inhalation in the morning and one inhalation in the evening.

You should also use Fostair NEXThaler as a “reliever” inhaler to treat sudden asthma symptoms.

If you get asthma symptoms, take one inhalation and wait a few minutes.

If you do not feel better, take another inhalation.

Do not take more than 6 reliever inhalations per day.

The maximum daily dose of Fostair NEXThaler is 8 inhalations.

If you feel you need more inhalations each day to control your asthma symptoms, contact your doctor to seek his advice. He may need to change your treatment.

Do not increase the dose.

If you feel that the medicine is not effective, always talk to your doctor before increasing the dose.

Adults and the elderly:

The recommended dose is 2 inhalations in the morning and 2 inhalations in the evening.

Fostair NEXThaler is for inhalation use.

Whenever possible, stand or sit in an upright position when inhaling.

• contact your doctor or nearest hospital casualty department immediately for advice. Take your medicine with you so that the people can see what you have taken;
• side effects may occur. Tell your doctor if you have any unusual symptoms as he/she may wish to carry out further tests or decide about any measures that may be necessary.

Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the dose you have missed, just take the next dose at the correct time. Do not double the dose.

Even if you are feeling better, do not stop using Fostair NEXThaler or lower the dose. If you want to do this, talk to your doctor. It is very important for you to use Fostair NEXThaler every day as prescribed by your doctor even though you may have no symptoms.

If your breathing does not change:

If your symptoms do not improve after inhaling Fostair NEXThaler, you may be using it incorrectly. Therefore check the instructions below for correct use and/or contact your doctor or nurse to be trained properly again.

If your asthma gets worse:

If your symptoms get worse or are difficult to control (e.g. if you are using a separate “reliever” inhaler or Fostair NEXThaler as reliever inhaler more frequently) or if your “reliever” inhaler or Fostair NEXThaler does not improve your symptoms, you should continue to use Fostair NEXThaler but go to see your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may need to change your dose of Fostair NEXThaler or prescribe an additional or alternative treatment.

A. Contents of the Package

For information on the contents of the pack see section 6. If the package contents are not the same as described in section 6, return your inhaler to the person who supplied it and get a new one.

B. General Warnings & Precautions

• Do not remove the inhaler from the pouch if you do not intend to use it immediately.
• Only use your inhaler as indicated.
• Keep the cover closed until you need to take a dose from your inhaler.
• When you are not using your inhaler keep it in a clean and dry place.
• Do not attempt to take your Nexthaler inhaler apart for any reason.

C. Key features of your Nexthaler inhaler

Taking a dose from your Nexthaler inhaler requires just three simple steps: Open, Inhale, Close.

D. Before using a new Nexthaler inhaler

1. Open the pouch and take out your inhaler.

• Do not use your inhaler if the pouch is not sealed or it is damaged – return it to the person who supplied it and get a new one.
• Use the label on the box to write down the date you open the pouch.

2. Inspect your inhaler.

• If your inhaler looks broken or damaged, return it to the person who supplied it and get a new one.

3. Check the Dose Counter Window. If your inhaler is brand new you will see “120” in the Dose Counter Window.

• Do not use a new inhaler if the number shown is less than “120” – return it to the person who supplied it and get a new one.

E. How to use your Nexthaler inhaler

• If you are not sure you are receiving your dose correctly contact your pharmacist or doctor.
• 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.

E.1. Open

1. Hold your inhaler firmly in the upright position.

2. Check the number of doses left: any number between “1” and “120” shows that there are doses left.

• If the Dose Counter Window shows “0” there are no doses left – dispose of your inhaler and get a new one.

3. Open the cover fully.

4. Before inhaling breathe out as far as is comfortable.

• Do not breathe out through your inhaler.

E.2. Inhale

Whenever possible, stand or sit in an upright position when inhaling.

1. Lift your inhaler up, bring it to your mouth and place your lips around the mouthpiece.

• Do not cover the air vent when holding your inhaler.
• Do not inhale through the air vent.

2. 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 you take your dose.
• Do not inhale through your nose.
• Do not remove your inhaler from your lips during the inhalation.

3. Remove your inhaler from your mouth.

4. Hold your breath for 5 to 10 seconds or as long as is comfortable.

5. Breathe out slowly.

• Do not breathe out through your inhaler.

E.3. Close

1. Move your inhaler back to the upright position and close the cover fully.

2. Check that the dose counter has gone down by one.

3. If you need to take another dose, repeat steps E.1 to E.3.

F. Cleaning

• Normally, it is not necessary to clean your inhaler.
• If necessary 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.

G. Storage and Disposal

For information on storage conditions and disposal instructions, see section 5

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via: Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/ yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

The active substances are: beclometasone dipropionate anhydrous and formoterol fumarate dihydrate.

Each metered dose contains 100 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate anhydrous and 6 micrograms of formoterol fumarate dihydrate. This corresponds to a delivered dose from the mouthpiece of 81.9 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate anhydrous and 5 micrograms of formoterol fumarate dihydrate.

The other ingredients are: lactose monohydrate (which contains small amounts of milk proteins) and magnesium stearate.

This medicinal product is presented as a white to almost white inhalation powder contained in a plastic inhaler called Nexthaler.

Each pack contains one, two or three inhalers which provide 120 inhalations each. Each inhaler comes in a sealed protective pouch (aluminium foil package). Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

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