Confusion over metered inhalers

[Poohbear2]

What is the difference between taking 100/6 & 200/6 Fostair Inhaler please?

[Hidden]

200/6 is stronger than the 100/6 as I am on the 100/6 and the doctors thought about putting me on the 200/6 fostair but my asthma is stable with the fostair 100/6

[CRP386]

Fostair is a combination of two drugs: 1) a steroid and 2) a long acting beta agonist. The steroid is the 100 or 200 part in the combination and is the amount of drug in the combination measured in micorgrams. The steroid used here is beclometasone dipropionate, it works by reducing the swelling of the airways in the lungs to make breathing easier.

The 6 refers the amount of long acting beta agonist (also in micrograms), known as formoterol, and is a bronchodilator that works by relaxing the muscles around the airways and opens up the airways of the lung. So in summary:

100/6 = 100 mcg of steroid (beclometasone dipropionate)/ 6mcg long acting beta agonist (formoterol). Fostair uses extra fine particles of the steroid, so it has greater potency than a similar amount of steroid in other combination inhalers. You can read more about in the summary of product characteristics sheet: medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...

[DollyDutchGirl in reply to CRP386]

An accurate and excellent answer CRP386....thank you.

[Flowergirl78 in reply to CRP386]

Wow, thank you. I'm on fostair 100/6 and have never heard of someone explain it properly like that. I now get it lol!!