Foster Inhaler is a medication intended for the treatment of respiratory diseases, in particular bronchial asthma. According to the instructions, the drug fights both with the main pathology and with its individual symptoms, which allows you to get the most efficiency from its use. In addition to this, the special design of the aerosol allows inhalation to deliver the drug solution to the lungs with maximum benefit and convenience.
Structure
1 dose of this aerosol contains 100 μg of the main substance beclomethasone dipropionate and 6 μg of formoterol fumarate as active ingredients.
Additional substances: norflurane, ethanol, hydrochloric acid.
Release form
The Foster inhaler is produced in the form of an inhalation aerosol of 180 and 120 doses in aluminum cans. One package contains one spray can.
Pharmacological properties
Means "Foster" has a pronounced bronchodilating effect. The beclomethasone and formoterol present in its composition have various mechanisms of therapeutic effect and have additive effectiveness in reducing the frequency of asthma attacks.
Beclomethasone is a glucorticosteroid used for inhalation, which in pharmaceutical doses exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, eliminates symptoms of bronchial asthma and the incidence of attacks of this disease. Beclomethasone in comparison with systemic corticosteroids has much less side effects.
Formoterol is a selective antagonist of β2-adrenergic receptors, which in patients with reversible obstructive pathologies of the respiratory organs helps to relax smooth bronchial muscles. The bronchodilator effects of this medicine appear within 1-3 minutes after inhalation in a single dosage and last about 12 hours.
The combination of these two substances in comparison with the use of monotherapy gives a more significant decrease in the severity of symptoms of bronchial asthma, has a beneficial effect on the functionality of breathing and reduces the frequency of attacks.
Indications for use
The drug in the form of an “Foster” inhaler is indicated for the main treatment of bronchial asthma, which involves the use of a long-acting β2-adrenergic agonist and glucocorticoid as part of one combined medication.
List of contraindications
The instructions for use with the "Foster" inhaler indicate some contraindications for the use of this medication, in particular:
- hypersensitivity to the components;
- age less than 12 years.
The medicine "Foster" is used with some caution in the following painful conditions:
- thyrotoxicosis;
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- bacterial, fungal, viral lesions of the respiratory organs;
- pheochromocytoma;
- uncontrolled hypokalemia;
- diabetes;
- idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis;
- aneurysm;
- arterial hypertension in severe cases;
- atrioventricular block (stage 3);
- serious pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, including the acute period of myocardial infarction, tachyarrhythmia, decompensated heart failure, coronary heart disease, extended QT interval;
- breastfeeding, pregnancy.
Side effects
Adverse reactions that most often occur when using the drug “Foster” are due to the presence of substances such as beclomethasone and formoterol in this agent. In most cases, the following pathological conditions and symptoms occur:
- headache;
- hoarseness of voice;
- cough;
- rhinitis;
- bronchospasm;
- dysphonia;
- signs of sore throat;
- QT interval lengthening;
- ECG indicators change;
- increased heart rate;
- muscle cramps;
- tremor;
- dry mouth
- burning sensation in the lips;
- dysphagia;
- dyspepsia;
- diarrhea;
- allergic dermatitis;
- an increase in the concentration of C-reactive protein;
- flu;
- pharyngitis;
- hypokalemia;
- gastroenteritis;
- candidiasis of the oral mucosa, pharynx and esophagus;
- sinusitis;
- vaginal candidiasis.
The most common side effects are manifested in the form of headaches, hypokalemia, palpitations, tremors, coughs, lengthening of the QT interval and muscle cramps.
In addition, the development of other, more rare side effects is possible:
- thrombocytopenia;
- angioedema;
- increase in blood levels of glycerol, insulin, ketone derivatives and fatty acids;
- hyperglycemia;
- fatigue
- sleep disturbance;
- the development of hallucinations;
- taste change;
- anxiety;
- ventricular extrasystole;
- angina pectoris;
- atrial fibrillation;
- tachyarrhythmia.
Is an overdose possible?
If you use high doses of the drug, the side effects characteristic of formoterol may intensify. A person may suffer:
- headache;
- nausea
- gag reflexes;
- trembling hands and feet;
- hypokalemia;
- heart palpitations;
- lethargy, loss of strength;
- tachycardia;
- an increase in blood glucose.
If these alarming symptoms appear, symptomatic therapy will be required. In especially severe cases, hospitalization is prescribed. In addition, it is necessary to strictly control the level of potassium in the blood.
An overdose of beclomethasone can lead to a deterioration in the function of the adrenal cortex. In this condition, special therapy is not required, it comes to normal on its own after a few days.
Against the background of the regular use of high doses of aerosol, a systemic effect of hormones on the body is observed, which sooner or later will lead to a sympathoadrenal crisis (panic attack).
Instructions for the inhaler "Foster"
It must be remembered that the Foster product is not intended for initial treatment. The selection of dosages of the inhaler, both at the beginning of therapy and at the supporting stage, takes place on an individual basis and depends on the complexity of the disease.
For adult patients and children after 12 years, the implementation of 1-2 inhalations twice a day is indicated.
Use of an inhaler
To effectively treat and achieve the best absorption of the drug in the lungs, it is necessary to learn the correct technique for using the device.
Before the first inhalation or after a 3-day break in the already prescribed treatment, the first dose must be sprayed into the air to check the condition of the device. Holding the inhaler with the mouthpiece down, remove the cap, place the mouthpiece in your mouth and grip it tightly with your lips. After exhaling through the nose, take a long deep breath with your mouth, while simultaneously pressing on the can valve. After this procedure, hold your breath and remove the device from your mouth.
Analogs of "Foster"
In the domestic pharmacological market, there are many analogues of the Foster inhalation-type drug. These include medicines of Russian and foreign production:
- Flixotide
- Bekotid;
- Salbutamol-Teva;
- "Ingacort";
- Atrovent.
Flixotide
This medication is the Russian analogue of the Foster inhaler. Fluticasone propionate (the main substance) is classified as a local glucocorticosteroids and, when administered in the right doses, has a pronounced anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effect, which leads to a decrease in the severity of disease symptoms and the frequency of exacerbations of diseases that are accompanied by airway obstruction (bronchial asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis).
Fluticasone propionate effectively inhibits the proliferation of mast cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages, reduces the production and release of inflammatory mediators and other biologically active substances: prostaglandins, histamine, cytokines, leukotrienes. What other analogues of Foster are known?
Bekotid
This drug is produced in France and is an inhaled glucocorticosteroid that has anti-inflammatory activity. This drug is produced in the form of a metered-dose inhalation aerosol and belongs to the pharmacological category of GCS. The main element of the composition, beclomethasone dipropionate, is a prodrug with weak tropism for GCS receptors. Under the influence of esterases, it is transformed into an active metabolic substance - beclomethasone-17-monopropionate, which has a local anti-inflammatory effect. This analogue of the “Foster” preparation helps to reduce swelling of the bronchial epithelium and to reduce the secretion of glands, reduces the number of mast cells in the membranes of the bronchi, and has a relaxing effect on smooth muscles.
Salbutamol-Teva
The most common inhalation medication in Israel, the analogue of "Foster." The main active element is salbutamol sulfate, which effectively stimulates β2-adrenergic receptors. In therapeutic dosages, it acts on β2-adrenergic receptors of smooth bronchial muscles, providing a significant bronchodilator effect. This substance helps to prevent and eliminate bronchospasm, increases lung capacity. In addition, it prevents the secretion of histamine, a slow-reacting component from mast cells, promotes the expansion of coronary arteries, and practically does not reduce blood pressure. This analogue of the Foster inhaler has a tocolytic effect: it reduces the tone and contractility of the myometrium and has a number of metabolic properties: it reduces the concentration of K + in the plasma, affects the processes of glycogenolysis and insulin secretion, gives a lipolytic and hyperglycemic effect, but increases the likelihood of acidosis.
The action of the medicinal product begins about 5 minutes after administration and lasts for 6 hours according to the instructions for use. Analogues of “Foster” should be selected by a doctor.
"Ingacort"
This is a German medicine, produced in the form of an ignator. The active substance of the medication is flunisolide hemihydrate, which belongs to the category of local glucocorticosteroids and when administered in the right doses, has a pronounced anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effect, which leads to a decrease in the severity of disease symptoms and the frequency of exacerbations of diseases, which are accompanied by obstructive airways (bronchial asthma, emphysema chronic bronchitis).
Fluticasone propionate effectively inhibits the proliferation of mast cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, macrophages, reduces the production and release of inflammatory mediators and other biologically active substances - prostaglandins, histamine, cytokines, leukotrienes.
This medication is contraindicated for hypersensitivity, acute bronchospasm, asthmatic status (as a primary drug), bronchitis of non-asthmatic nature. This is confirmed by the instructions for use with the Foster inhaler analogue.
Atrovent
Bronchodilator, which is available in the form of an aerosol. Manufacturer - Germany.
This analogue of “Foster” blocks the M-cholinergic receptors of the musculature of the tracheobronchial tract and inhibits the occurrence of reflex bronchoconstriction. Possessing structural similarities with the acetylcholine molecule, it is considered to be its competitive antagonist. Calcium ions are released using mediators, including DAG (diacylglycerol) and ITP (inositol triphosphate). Anticholinergics prevent an increase in the intracellular level of calcium ions, which is observed as a result of the interaction of acetylcholine and muscarinic receptors located in the muscles of the bronchi.
The Foster aerosol analogue effectively prevents the occurrence of bronchospasm resulting from inhaling cool air, cigarette smoke, the effects of various medications, and also directly eliminates bronchospasm due to the effects of the vagus nerve. When inhaled, it practically does not have a resorptive effect. Bronchodilation, which develops after inhalation with a given pharmacological drug, is mainly the result of local and specific effects on the lungs, and not a consequence of its systemic effect.
We reviewed the instructions and analogues of the “Foster” inhaler. The following will be the reviews.
Reviews
On medical sites, there are many reviews of both the Foster drug and its analogues. Of particular interest among them is the Russian analogue of this drug, Flixotide, which has a lower cost than other drugs and has a quick action. As for the Foster inhaler, patients characterize it as a very effective means to eliminate an attack of bronchial asthma and the development of obstructive bronchitis. It quickly relieves symptoms and rarely causes side effects.