Hirsutism caused by Fostair Inhaler - Asthma Community ...

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Hirsutism caused by Fostair Inhaler

xxxedusaxxx profile image
21 Replies

Hello Everyone,

I was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago and used a total of 4 doses of Fostair inhaler per day. However, the hair on my body and face grew, darkened and increased. My hormones are normal and I have no other illness. I did not see any effect of reducing the dose. Is there anyone else experiencing this? Did changing the medication help? Thanks in advance

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21 Replies
Collienut profile image
Collienut

I went onto Fostair during the start of the menopause, so I assumed the extra hair growth was from changing hormones. Something to think about. xx

xxxedusaxxx profile image
xxxedusaxxx in reply to Collienut

Hello! I am a 24 year old female. My doctor said that it can be seen in high doses, so we lowered my doses but I did not see any change. I was wondering if anyone else experienced this. Thank you.

JazzySalmon profile image
JazzySalmon

I started Fostair at 37, so I shouldn't be nearing menopause, but the hairs on my chin have gone wild. Another commenter here said the same thing some time ago and I felt such relief! I hadn't considered the steroid inhaler aspect and honestly I'm relieved it's that rather than hormonal imbalance.

I started using Fostair with a spacer and I feel like the hair growth has slowed down but it's a difficult thing to judge.

Mandevilla profile image
Mandevilla in reply to JazzySalmon

It could easily be hormonal fluctuations at your age - they can start well before menopause. I got my first symptoms (including hairy chin!) at 35.

xxxedusaxxx profile image
xxxedusaxxx in reply to Mandevilla

Hi! Thank you, Is your increased hair growth due to hormones? All my blood values ​​and hormones look very good now, and also the ultrasound showed that I don't have any cysts and the increased hair growth seems to have occurred with the medication. There is no hirsutism even hairy genes background in my family. Can I get information about your increased hair growth? Did it increase a lot or did it get better over time?

Mandevilla profile image
Mandevilla in reply to xxxedusaxxx

I assume mine is due to the menopause as it's a very common symptom, but while you CAN go through early menopause in your 20s, it's very unusual, so it's more likely to be something else, especially if there is no other indication of hormone imbalance. I hope you get the answers you are looking for soon x

xxxedusaxxx profile image
xxxedusaxxx in reply to Mandevilla

Thank you so much, For me my doctor told me It might be but with low dose It wont be a problem. I just don’t see any improvement and wanted to ask.

JazzySalmon profile image
JazzySalmon in reply to Mandevilla

I've had a hairy chin since I was 16 lol. It just got much much worse. I'll bear it in mind! I wish it was easier to get a doctor to check these things out.

xxxedusaxxx profile image
xxxedusaxxx in reply to JazzySalmon

Yes, it’s very bad. I wish there was a better health system and I wish doctors would take the issues a little more seriously.

xxxedusaxxx profile image
xxxedusaxxx in reply to JazzySalmon

Thank you for your reply, Yes my doctor told me that It can cause this side effect, I will tru spacer too.

GiraffeSquishmallow profile image
GiraffeSquishmallow in reply to xxxedusaxxx

I have always used a spacer holding chamber with Fostair, it’s called Aero chamber with mouthpiece not mask. Remember to always wash out your mouth after use because it’s a steroid inhaler and it reduces the chance of some other unwanted side effects like infections, sore throat etc.

I was on Fostair at least 4 doses daily. This isn’t something I particularly experienced although my hair did appear to grow slightly quicker but I assumed this was due to shaving the hair. I have always had dark facial, leg and underarm hair so I didn’t really think anything of it to be honest.

On the internet it says that for Fostair steroid inhaler the hirsutism is more marked in female patients who usually note an increase in fine downy hair on the sides of the face, as well as over the upper lip and chin areas. The mechanism of action is likely to be the same as hirsutism associated with oral corticosteroids. It could possibly be due to the high cortisol levels

xxxedusaxxx profile image
xxxedusaxxx in reply to GiraffeSquishmallow

Thank you for sharing, Is it just for Fostair or another corticostreoid inhaler give the same side effect?

GiraffeSquishmallow profile image
GiraffeSquishmallow in reply to xxxedusaxxx

That particular section I found referred to all inhaled corticosteroids, but I imagine it will all be dependent on strength, potency of the inhaler e.g. Fostair comes in at least 2 strengths, your dosage, how it affects your bodies Adrenal Glands e.g. increasing cortisol levels and other hormones which contributes to hirsutism.

Often you can find 1 medication in a category of medications can have more side effects or be more or less effective than another because each persons physiology is different and will react differently to medications with it being dependent on so many factors. I think it will be a case of trial and error, to find which chemicals or ingredients or types of steroid used work best for you. I’ve been switched to a 24hr dry powder inhaler called Relvar Ellipta, you could always discuss with your medical team if something like this could be worth trialling to see if you notice any improvement. I definitely think if it’s safe to do so for your condition and you are stable enough medically, it would be definitely worth discussing if you could trial some different ones especially if hirsutism is something that’s really bothering you. I can definitely appreciate that it must be very unpleasant and difficult to manage but if you can’t change due to your condition or you find they all have the same affect there are lots of recommended strategies to maintain the excess hair growth and improve your quality of life. I really hope you find something that helps.

xxxedusaxxx profile image
xxxedusaxxx in reply to GiraffeSquishmallow

Thank you for all the information you wrote here. I will see you again in 1 month. I hope we can find a solution,

xxxedusaxxx profile image
xxxedusaxxx

thank you for sharing!

Poshcards profile image
Poshcards

quite simply yes, I now have downy hair on sides of my face and a hairy chin, I hate it x

xxxedusaxxx profile image
xxxedusaxxx in reply to Poshcards

I'm so sorry to hear that. How long have you been using it, which inhaler are you using and how long have you been using it? I'm trying to understand these because doctors don't seem to know much about anything and I'm afraid it will get worse.

Poshcards profile image
Poshcards

Fostair 200/6 for about 4 years and since April, Spiolto

xxxedusaxxx profile image
xxxedusaxxx in reply to Poshcards

I hope that the medical world will soon start studies on women's diseases and side effects of drugs. If I can get information from the doctor, I will try to inform you. Please let me know if there is any development. I hope everything gets better.

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