Fostair side effects

[Aladdin123]

I was prescribed Fostair Nexhaler for asthma - no wheezing, no coughing, never had an asthma attack. I used the inhaler for around a month, during which time I had aches and cramps in my calf muscles, hand tremors and felt unusually sad. I stopped using the inhaler and during my next appointment with the nurse, I told her if the side effects. She told me she’d never heard of any if tge side effects. I just wondered if anyone else had experienced any.

[Poobah]

What you describe are common side effects for this type of combination inhaler. The patient leaflet specifically highlights the need for the doctor to monitor the patient's potassium levels if these related side effects occur. I've yet to hear of any GP actually do this and your asthma nurse obviously is unaware of what the patient leaflet says, even though it's printed in bold type.

Low potassium levels will show up as muscle cramps, tremors, hypertension, heart palpitations (the heart is a muscle). Over the counter supplements are very low in potassium and stepping up potassium in your diet is probably more effective. Using a good type of salt is a good idea too, as potassium requires salt to become effective. Moderate salt rather than table salt in everything. Sea salt or himalayan are good types.

But definitely talk to your doctor if the side effects are overly concerning, and take a copy of the patient leaflet with you to your appointment. Doctors etc are often unaware of the side effects and advice given in patient leaflets.

I had very low potassium and a routine blood test in hospital picked it up. Happened again recently on another trip to the hospital for a non asthma issue. I have to be careful as it can affect my blood pressure.

[Aladdin123 in reply to Poobah]

Hi, thanks for your response. As I said, I stopped using the inhaler, but took magnesium and potassium supplements, along with eating a banana each day. It took around 6 weeks for the effects to subside, and if I miss supplements, the symptoms return. I neglected to mention that I had a pressure under my ribs on the right side: guessing intercostal muscle, as that has now gone too. I’m just a bit horrified that the nurse didn’t acknowledge these side effects for inhalers that she was prescribing. I am lucky that I’m able to not have to use an inhaler.

[Poobah in reply to Aladdin123]

It's interesting that you still need the additional potassium even after stopping the inhaler. It doesn't surprise me that the asthma nurse didn't know about the side effects, but it's likely to be a weakness in their training.

One inhaler caused low angle canal issues in my eyes, leading to glaucoma. It's a warning in the patient leaflet but it's not included under side effects. Sneeky. Anyway, I've addressed that but it took almost a year to resolve. I could go on, but it goes to show that the patient should do their own research, or at least read the whole patient leaflet as the important stuff can be buried.

I hope you're situation continues to improve and the need for additional potassium passes.

[Shazabc]

Hi after having pnuemonia my respiratory dr decided I had asthma and put me on Fostair started at 200/6 then went down to 100/6. I had the most awful and I mean awful calf and foot cramps at least a dozen times a day every time I stretched or flexed my foot it was terrible went to Dr’s said it was nothing to do with that had bloods couldn’t find anything wrong so had to just put up with it. About 6 weeks ago I changed to budesonide easyhaler and slowly the cramps have subsided once in a blue moon now I have cramp. Also when I started the Fostair I started having problems with my ears at the same time, infections, build up of fluid, pressure feeling hearing my heart beat muffled hearing etc again I was convinced this was the Fostair but told there was no connection, again this has improved dramatically since switching my breathing however has worsened slightly. So stuck as to whether to go back on Fostair or not 🤷🏼‍♀️. Good luck

[Aladdin123 in reply to Shazabc]

Yes, you were told the same as me: ‘Never heard of it before’. I suddenly also developed sinus problems - never had that before either. I’m annoyed that the nurse can brush it all off as untrue by saying she’d never heard of it! I even told her that some of my symptoms were listed in the accompanying pamphlet! I told her I wasn’t going to take it, but she insisted that asthma meds was corticosteroids! She did a FENO test - scored 18! I also worry that she didn’t know cigarettes contained a bronchodilator, and she’d never heard of Zephyr valves for COPD either. My last puff was around 8 weeks ago and have been taking supplements of magnesium and potassium since, so my side effects have subsided. I have just come to Egypt but forgot to bring my magnesium with me. For the last 2 nights my legs have been aching! I have eaten bananas etc. and have now got more supplements. I’m a bit worried that the muscle cramps are going to linger without my supplements!!

[Shazabc in reply to Aladdin123]

I’m new to all this Asthma stuff but my FeNo was 14ppb I have no idea if that’s good or bad or what it even tests 🙈 hope you’re feeling better soon.

[Aladdin123 in reply to Shazabc]

Tests the level of nitric oxide <25 is considered normal.

aaaai.org/tools-for-the-pub...

[strongmouse]

Hi, I take fostair and tremors are common side effects, which I get. Also found I developed leg cramps and someone on here said that eating bananas helps. I tried it and it does make a difference. Apparently fostair can lower your potassium levels and bananas contain potassium. I tried changing to another inhaler but it didn't work as well for me so I went back to fostair and eat bananas 2-3 times a week.

[Aladdin123 in reply to strongmouse]

Yes, I agree. The Fostair leeches magnesium and potassium from your muscles. When I reported this to the asthma nurse: muscle aches and hand tremors, she said she’d never heard of it! I also put in about 1/2 stone. Weight-gain is not a side effect, but increased appetite is?! I feel like I have a mattress strapped around my middle, although it is beginning to go now. I also eat bananas to help the depletion, but take magnesium supplement. I haven’t taken them for 3 days as I’m in Egypt and forgot to bring them - the leg aching in the night has returned, despite my taking my last puff of Fostair on 14th December!! I read up and it says the side effects can last weeks, months but go away eventually after you stop taking it - in most cases!!! I’ve also read that it causes muscle wasting. I’m lucky that I can get by without it atm as I don’t want the side effects. I’ve now sourced magnesium supplements but still had leg aching last night - hopefully day 3 of them will kick in. I also developed some sort of sinusitis - unsure if that’s related, although I’ve never had it before. That’s has gone now but only recently.

[strongmouse in reply to Aladdin123]

Hi, ah sometimes patients have a bit more insight than the medical staff, nice as they are!

I think if some symptoms continue it can be worth checking that they are not caused by another health issue. I get sinusitis but know that is caused by various allergies I have to dust mite, moulds and pollens.

Most medicines come with side effects and it is about weighing up the risks and benefits. I started off with clenil, but it isn't sufficient to control my asthma. During the winter months I manage on 1 puff twice a day of fostair 100/6 but take 2 twice a day late spring through summer and the side effects are more pronounced. I eat nuts daily as they contain quite a few minerals.

[swinstan]

Recently prescribed Fostair and started with a sore mouth and ulcers, then hand tremors earache and palpitations. Didn't connect the awful muscle cramps to the inhaler until much later. Consultant has swapped mode of delivery and I am now using a spacer. Not convinced it's making a difference. Has anyone manage to find a resolution?

[swinstan in reply to swinstan]

Update from above. Two months later and the spacer and change to aerosol delivery from powder has made no difference whatsoever. So, tremors, palpitations, agitation, very sore mouth and throat, loss of voice, earache. muscle cramps, impaired sense of taste and a strange change in mood. Not depression or anxiety but less tolerant and more restless/twitchy. What a list! It interfered so much with my life I considered stopping. Been swapped to Symbicort now so I hope that will improve things. I did persevere but it sounds to me that Fostair has a disagreeable side for some of us.