Fostair Dosage

[Chris3053]

Hi - what is considered a high dose of Fostair? I take four puffs a day of the 100mcg/6mcg inhaler ... is that low, medium or a high dose? Thanks in advance .... question related to whether I have to isolate for 12 weeks due to Covid19.

[Wheezycat]

I am also on Fostair, and my understanding is that there are two strengths, 100/6 and 200/6. I also believe that you would normally take 4 doses of either. So 100/6 is the lower, and wasn’t included in the shielding advice that was around some days ago, while 200 /6 was. However, unless things have changed again that list is no longer available.

[Poobah]

If you're not on any additional meds for asthma and your condition is well controlled then you are considered to be in the vulnerable group rather than the shielding group. So you still need to take great care and practice strict social distancing especially when in public and at work.

If you are still concerned about your ability to practice distancing at work talk to your GP if you need support to take time off work. Strictly employers should be ensuring your health, safety and welfare at work but sometimes the job may make that difficult. If employer can't redeploy you to a safe environment then definitely talk to GP about having to sheild.

[ahfat41]

I am on the smart regimen fostair nexthaler 100/6 one puff twice a day. I am in the vulnerable group.. Do you use it as a preventer as well?

[Chris3053]

Sorry, yes I use this as a preventer as it controls my asthma. Get the annual flu jab too.

[watergazer in reply to Chris3053]

Me too and I'm confused about it all as it states any one likely to get infections quickly should be shielding and I'm sure we fall into that category. x Anita

[Thomas45]

It's easy for me, using DuoResp Spiromax 320/9, because I'm retired and get a work pension and a state pension.. I have other ailments, and am aged 74, but most of the time I'm okay. If If I get a common cold it turns into a chest and sinus infection, so I'm self isolating, now in my 11th day. I've been to the roadside twice to put out and bring in the refuse bin, but apart from that and an outpatients appointment which wasn't cancelled, i've been in the garden a few times.. I haven't had the letter and don't expect to get it.

[peppa37]

Check the list again because I’ve just had another look, apparently the list on asthma uk was updated yesterday and 400mcg of Fostair is on there as a high dose of steroid now whereas last week it was only 800.

[peppa37]

Sorry meant to say, it’s on there as a high dose of steroid, but isn’t included in the official govt 12 week shielding, however asthma uk does advise shielding anyway.

[peppa37]

Wow just checked again and they’ve updated it AGAIN!!!! Seems it’s now 500mcg.

[Chris3053]

So I guess my 4 puffs per day of 100mcg/6mcg means I don't have to shield for 12 weeks...

[CRP386 in reply to Chris3053]

It actually depends on how they have defined the values in the table, which at present is unclear. I am writing to Asthma UK for clarity. Fostair is delivered as extra fine particles therefore, the steroid in Fostair, Beclometasone dipropionate, has extra potency in its effect in the lungs. 100 mcg delivered by Fostair products is equivalent to 250 mcg of Beclometasone dipropionate delivered by standard products. Therefore, is the 500 mcg in the table based on the equivalency or not? This is not defined and should be.

[peppa37 in reply to CRP386]

That’s interesting I didn’t know that. Hopefully you get some clarification. I just feel that for the sake of an extra 100mcg anyway it’s a big difference between 12 week shielding and no adjustments at all in my work! I feel we should be erring on the side of caution with all asthma. My sister in law had the virus, she is perfectly healthy and really struggled with shortness of breath, she keeps saying she couldn’t imagine how people would cope if they have resp problems.

[DW80 in reply to CRP386]

Hi, I've just been put on Fostair and i have also read the the info from Nice about the potency. Did you manage to get any clarity regarding this?

I did find different information though "100 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate via Fostair products are

equivalent to 250 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate in standard particle CFC-free inhalers"

From this: nice.org.uk/guidance/ng80/r...

[CRP386 in reply to DW80]

Asthma UK returned my email without addressing it exactly - they just said that they had now removed all the the tables on high dose steroids because those people who need to shield have mostly now been contacted by letter. Although, there are a lot of people who dont seem to have received anything, given posts on here and recent BBC articles about this. You are right regarding what NICE reports, and going back to the source document that NICE uses, the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) medicines.org.uk/emc/produc... states, '100 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate extrafine in Fostair are equivalent to 250 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate in a non-extrafine formulation'. I've corrected the typo in my original post.

[B_Asthma]

I take Fostair 200/6 2 puff twice a day with Spiriva 2.5mcg and Singluar. My understanding, 100 / 6 is strong in regards to needing it because Ventolin is not working without preventive medication.

As for me, I just came of a course of prednisone and no relief. I am not convinced Forstair is strong enough for me.