Foster inhalation aerosol is used as a medicine for asthma. This is a modern representative of combined drugs, effective on the respiratory system.
A characteristic feature of this aerosol is that its composition has no analogues. It is the only aerosol formulation based on beclomethasone and formoterol .
With the advent of powder inhalers, aerosol cans have lost their former popularity. But there is a group of people who, for medical reasons or due to other restrictions, cannot use drugs in powder form.
It was for them that Foster became a discovery and salvation.
Composition and release forms
One dose of the drug contains two main active ingredients:
- Beclomethasone dipropionate .
- Formoterol fumarate .
In addition, the composition includes additional substances such as ethanol, norflurane and hydrochloric acid.
The drug is produced in special aluminum cylinders packed one piece in a cardboard box.
The inhaler contains 120 or 180 doses.
pharmachologic effect
Foster aerosol has a bronchodilating effect. Since it contains two active substances with different mechanisms of action, the aerosol is highly effective in relieving symptoms of bronchial asthma.
Beclomethasone belongs to the class of glucocorticosteroids . It is used by inhalation to relieve inflammation. This significantly reduces the frequency and severity of attacks. The good news is that it has relatively few side effects.
Formoterol is a selective β2-adrenergic receptor agonist. Its use helps to relax the smooth muscles of the bronchi, which allows you to effectively fight the state of asthma asphyxiation. A pronounced effect occurs within a minute after taking the drug. The action lasts for 12 hours.
The combined use of these two substances allows you to get a pronounced result in the relief of manifestations of bronchial asthma: breathing is normalized, the number of attacks decreases.
Beclomethasone in combination with formoterol is absorbed much faster, its effectiveness increases.
The systemic effect of formoterol also increases when used together.
Indications and contraindications
Foster aerosol is prescribed for asthmatics as a basic medicine. Combination therapy is indicated:
- if GCS and short-acting β2-adrenergic agonists are not effective enough;
- if treatment with GCS and long-acting β2-adrenergic agonists is necessary.
Contraindications to this drug are divided into absolute (prohibited in any situations) and relative (taking the medicine is possible with extreme caution or after excluding interfering factors).
Absolute contraindications include hypersensitivity to any components that make up the aerosol. Also, Foster’s treatment is strictly prohibited to persons under 12 years of age.
Relative contraindications include:
- Pulmonary tuberculosis.
- Thyrotoxicosis.
- Cardiovascular diseases.
- Respiratory tract infections with viral, bacterial or fungal infections.
- Uncontrollable hypokalemia .
- Diabetes.
- Aneurysm.
- Pregnancy.
- Lactation period.
Mode of application
Foster aerosol is not intended for the initial treatment of bronchial asthma, since the selection of the correct dosage takes time.
Prescription of the drug for asthmatics begins with small doses, which are gradually increased until a positive therapeutic result is achieved.
If it is not possible to select the desired ratio of Beclomethasone and Formoterol using the Foster aerosol regimens, the instruction suggests abandoning the combined drug. In this case, it is recommended to take the drugs separately.
With bronchial asthma, the medication is prescribed 1 or 2 times a day. Moreover, this frequency of use is suitable for both patients 12 years old and adults.
At the very beginning, constant supervision of the doctor over the course of treatment is required. Dosage adjustments during this period are permitted and justified.
The dose is selected according to the principle of using the minimum amount of active substances with a minimum number of inhalations. In this case, a persistent therapeutic effect should be observed. Symptoms of bronchial asthma should be significantly weakened or absent.
After asthmatic manifestations are completely arrested, it is possible to switch to inhalation only with glucocorticoids.
The use of Foster for the treatment of the elderly has no peculiarities. In this case, standard schemes work.
Side effects
Side effects include those that beclomethasone has , and those that formoterol has :
- Headaches.
- Hoarseness of voice.
- Runny nose.
- Cough.
- Sore throat.
- Change in heart rate.
- Convulsions.
- Dryness and burning of the mouth and lips.
- Stool change.
- Skin manifestations in the form of allergic dermatitis.
- Candidiasis of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus.
- Trembling limbs.
- Disorders of the digestive tract.
In addition, in more rare cases, side reactions to formoterol may occur :
- Increased blood levels of insulin, fatty acids, glycerol and ketone derivatives.
- Angioedema.
- Sleep problems.
- Fast fatiguability.
- Hallucinations.
- Disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular system.
- Myalgia.
- Kidney inflammation.
Side effects of taking beclomethasone include:
- Disorders of the adrenal glands.
- The appearance of glaucoma and cataracts.
- Growth retardation.
- Decreased bone mineral density.
It should also be noted the negative reactions associated with increased sensitivity to the drug:
- itchy skin;
- swelling of the eyelids and lips;
- rash on the skin;
- dermatitis.
Overdose
An overdose of Foster causes a number of negative reactions in the body. There are two types of reactions:
- Formoterol overdose .
- For an overdose of beclomethasone .
When the maximum permissible concentration of formoterol is exceeded, one can observe:
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- headache;
- trembling limbs;
- increased heart rate;
- arrhythmia (ventricular);
- an increase in blood glucose levels;
- hypokalemia ;
- acidosis.
In this case, treatment is aimed at relieving negative symptoms. In severe cases, inpatient treatment may be required.
With an excessive intake of beclomethasone, the function of the adrenal cortex is inhibited . This condition does not require any treatment. After reducing the dose of the drug, the body is restored in a few days.
With a persistent overdose of beclomethasone, adrenal insufficiency may worsen. A complication of this condition is an adrenaline crisis. Its features include:
- Confusion of consciousness.
- Hypoglycemia.
- Convulsions.
In severe cases, hospitalization may be required.
Trauma, surgery, infection can provoke the development of a crisis.
Interaction with other medications
Taking Foster aerosol simultaneously with β- blockers causes a decrease in the therapeutic effect of Formoterol .
When Foster is taken together with Disopyramide , Quinidine, Procainamide , antihistamines , phenothiazines , tricyclic antidepressants and MAO inhibitors, ventricular arrhythmia may develop.
General anesthesia (if drugs containing halogenated hydrocarbons are used) can cause arrhythmias.
MAO inhibitors (and their analogs), when taken simultaneously with Foster, provoke an increase in blood pressure.
If adrenomimetics are used simultaneously with aerosol , there is a risk of hypokalemia . When taking xanthine derivatives or diuretics, the risk increases significantly.
It should also be borne in mind that the preparation contains ethanol. This should be taken into account when taking Foster at the same time with drugs, the interaction of which with alcohol is prohibited.
special instructions
The dosage of this drug should be prescribed exclusively by the attending physician. Moreover, for each patient, it is selected individually, starting with small doses. Gradually, the amount and frequency of use of the drug increases, and this continues until a stable positive effect is achieved.
Particular care should be taken when prescribing the drug and selecting a dose for patients:
- ischemic heart disease;
- arterial hypertension (in the acute stage);
- myocardial infarction;
- diabetes mellitus;
- glaucoma;
- hypertrophy of the prostate gland.
If the patient has a history of tachyarrhythmia, then the use of the drug Foster is permissible only with constant monitoring of the ECG.
Particular attention should be paid to the use of Foster in patients taking short-acting bronchodilators . Most often, they are prescribed for unstable bronchial asthma to relieve attacks. In this case, the use of an aerosol increases the risk of hypokalemia . Monitoring the level of potassium in the blood in this case is required.
An overdose of the drug Foster can provoke an increased blood glucose level.
If surgery is planned using anesthesia (based on halogenated hydrocarbons), it is better to stop using the aerosol for at least 12 hours.
For patients with tuberculosis, the drug is prescribed only if its benefits outweigh the possible harm.
If drug withdrawal is required, it is important to do so slowly, gradually reducing the dosage. It is forbidden to stop taking the drug on your own. It is the responsibility of the attending physician to discontinue the drug and monitor the health status of discontinuation.
If, while taking the drug, the symptoms intensify, this indicates a worsening of the course of the disease. This may require an increase in dosage or a change in the treatment regimen.
If an attack occurs, it is recommended to use short-acting β2-adrenergic agonists.
During an exacerbation of bronchial asthma, the use of Foster is not recommended.
If, after using the aerosol, paradoxical bronchospasm with increased wheezing occurs, the drug should be discontinued. Most likely, treatment adjustments will be required.
If, during the use of Foster, there is a suspicion of a deterioration in the work of the adrenal glands, control over the intake and the prescribed doses should be strengthened. It most often occurs in patients treated with glucocorticoids.
To prevent the development of candidiasis after inhalation, you should thoroughly rinse your mouth and throat.
An opened cartridge should be stored for no more than three months.
Finally
Foster Aerosol is an effective combination drug for the treatment of asthma. Due to two active substances with different effects, it relieves the symptoms of the disease and prevents exacerbations.
Since the dose is assigned to each patient individually, treatment should be started under the strict supervision of the attending physician. Such a minimum dose is selected at which all asthma symptoms are completely absent.
The drug causes a number of complications, therefore, a periodic blood test is necessary, and in some cases, ECG monitoring.
Cancellation of the drug should be gradual. Abrupt discontinuation of admission can lead to a significant deterioration in the patient’s condition.
