Bibecfo is a combination asthma inhaler that contains 2 active ingredients, which are delivered in metered doses directly to your lungs via an aerosol spray. Each dose contains 100 micrograms (mcg) of beclometasone, which reduces airway inflammation, and 6mcg of formoterol to relax the smooth muscles in your airways, helping you to breathe more easily.

Bibecfo is licensed for Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART). That’s where you use one combination inhaler instead of 2 separate preventer and reliever inhalers. If you are prescribed Bibecfo as part of your asthma management plan, you will usually use it every day to prevent asthma symptoms, and as needed to relieve the sudden onset of asthma symptoms. You will not usually need a separate blue inhaler if you use it this way. Bibecfo is manufactured by Cipla Limited.

Bibecfo inhalers contain 2 active ingredients that help to manage and relieve asthma symptoms. They are:

1. Beclometasone. A type of corticosteroid that helps to lower inflammation in your airways to stop asthma symptoms from occurring.
2. Formoterol. A long-acting bronchodilator which opens your airways to make breathing easier, both daily and during an asthma attack.

Bibecfo is a pMDI, which means it delivers a specific measured dose of medication directly to your lungs using an aerosol spray. When pressed, the inhaler's canister releases a fast-moving mixture of medication, which is delivered with a controlled inhalation. A pMDI is sometimes used with a spacer device to make it easier to use and to help make sure the medication reaches the lungs rather than the back of the throat.

How long do Bibecfo inhalers last?

Each Bibecfo inhaler contains 120 actuations. That means if you take 1 puff in the morning and 1 puff in the evening, the inhaler will last 60 days. However, how long a Bibecfo inhaler will last depends on how many daily doses your doctor has prescribed and whether you need to use it to relieve your symptoms.

You should check the dose counter on the inhaler regularly to see how many doses you have left.

How long does Bibecfo take to work?

Bibecfo does not work immediately, but most people notice their breathing improves within 3 to 7 days with daily use. When Bibecfo is used to relieve symptoms, formoterol can work within 1 to 3 minutes to make breathing easier.

How effective are Bibecfo inhalers?

A real-world study involving a combination inhaler containing 100mcg of beclometasone and 6mcg of formoterol found that after 6 months, the rate of poorly controlled asthma dropped from 65.1% to 17.5%.

Another 48-week trial found that in people who use Bibecfo for maintenance and reliever therapy, a clinically meaningful improvement in asthma control.

Bibecfo is a pMDI, so it delivers a measured dose of asthma medication via an aerosol spray to your lungs. You must only use Bibecfo exactly as your doctor has told you to. The inhaler has a dose counter on the back so that you can check how many doses are left.

Before you use the Bibecfo inhaler for the first time or if you have not used it for at least 14 days, you should test to make sure it is working properly by:

1. Remove the protective cover from the mouthpiece.
2. Hold the inhaler upright so that the mouthpiece is at the bottom.
3. Holding the mouthpiece away from you, firmly press down on the canister to release 1 puff.
4. Check the dose counter. If you are testing your inhaler for the first time, the dose counter should read 120.
5. The inhaler is now ready to be used.

You should be standing or sitting when using Bibecfo, and make sure the dose counter has between 1 and 120 doses.

To use Bibecfo, you should:

1. Remove the protective cap from the mouthpiece and ensure it is clean and free of dust, dirt, and debris.
2. Breathe out slowly and deeply, but not into the inhaler.
3. Hold the canister vertically and place your lips around the mouthpiece, but take care not to bite down on it.
4. Breathe in slowly and deeply through your mouth and just after you begin to breathe in, press down firmly on top of the inhaler to release 1 puff of medicine.
5. Hold your breath for as long as you comfortably can.
6. Remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out slowly, taking care not to breathe into the inhaler.

If you need to take another puff, keep the inhaler upright for about 30 seconds, then repeat steps 2 to 6.

When to use Bibecfo inhalers

A doctor will usually prescribe Bibecfo inhalers to be used twice a day to prevent asthma symptoms. Bibecfo can also be used as a reliever inhaler to treat the sudden onset of asthma symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing.

How much Bibecfo to take

The usual dose of Bibecfo, when used as your only asthma inhaler, is 1 puff in the morning and 1 puff in the evening. If you use the inhaler as a reliever, you should take 1 puff, wait a few minutes, and if you do not feel better, take another puff.

How many times a day can I use Bibecfo?

You should use Bibecfo twice a day; once in the morning and once in the evening, when using it as a reliever inhaler. That is a maximum of 2 puffs per day to prevent asthma symptoms when using a MART regime. Different doses may be recommended by your doctor if using for maintenance only.

When using Bibecfo as a reliever inhaler, you should not take more than 6 reliever puffs per day.

The total maximum number of Bibecfo puffs per day is 8. If you feel you need more puffs per day to control your asthma symptoms, you should contact your doctor for a review, as they may need to change your treatment or attend A&E if you have acute asthma symptoms that are not relieved.

What if I miss a dose of Bibecfo?

If you forget a Bibecfo dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take it at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

What if I take too much Bibecfo?

If you take too much Bibecfo, you may get the following symptoms:

• feeling or being sick
• racing heartbeat
• palpitations
• abnormal heart rhythm
• headache
• trembling
• sleepiness
• high levels of acid in the blood
• increased glucose or potassium blood levels

If you get any of these symptoms, it is important to let your doctor know. Taking too much beclometasone can cause short-term adrenal gland issues that usually improve within a few days, but your doctor may want to run blood tests to check your cortisol levels.

Bibecfo is a prescription-only asthma inhaler that must be approved by a doctor before you can get it. You can get it with a private prescription from a trusted online doctor service or it may be available on the NHS.

Can I buy Bibecfo inhalers online?

Yes, you can get Bibecfo online from Superdrug Online Doctor if you already have a prescription from your GP. To order a repeat inhaler from us, you will need to:

1. Fill out a short online health questionnaire about your health and lifestyle.
2. Choose your preferred treatment and make a payment.
3. One of our doctors will review your answers and medication request to determine whether it is suitable for you.
4. If approved, your asthma medication will be sent to your address in discreet packaging, or you can collect it from a Superdrug Pharmacy.

Can I buy Bibecfo inhalers over the counter?

No, Bibecfo requires a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional and is not available over the counter.

Can I get Bibecfo inhalers on the NHS?

Yes, you can get Bibecfo asthma inhalers on the NHS. If you currently use a Fostair inhaler, your GP may switch you to Bibecfo, which contains the same active ingredients but is a more cost-effective option. You will need to make an appointment with a GP to find out whether Bibecfo is suitable for managing your condition and whether it is available in your area.

Like all medications, Bibecfo can cause side effects, though not everyone will experience them. Most are mild and will go away on their own as your body gets used to the active ingredients.

Common Bibecfo side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) are:

• fungal infections of the mouth and throat
• headache
• hoarse voice
• sore throat

Uncommon Bibecfo side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) are:

• fast heartbeat or heart rhythm disorders
• changes in an electrocardiogram (ECG) (a test that measures the electrical activity and rhythm of your heart)
• asthma attack
• trembling
• restlessness
• dizziness
• palpitations
• flu symptoms
• fungal infections of the vagina (thrush)
• inflamed sinuses
• ear inflammation
• throat irritation
• cough and productive cough
• feeling sick
• taste changes
• burning of the lips
• dry mouth
• swallowing difficulties
• indigestion
• upset stomach
• diarrhoea
• muscle pain and cramp
• reddening of the face
• excessive sweating
• increased blood flow to some tissues in the body
• rhinitis
• changes in the levels of some blood constituents, such as white blood cells, platelets, potassium, glucose, and insulin
• nettle rash or hives

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people) are:

• chest tightness
• sensation of a missed heartbeat
• high or low blood pressure
• kidney inflammation
• swelling of the skin or mucous membranes that lasts several days

You can find a full list of potential Bibecfo side effects in the patient information leaflet that comes with your inhaler.

How long do Bibecfo side effects last?

Most Bibecfo side effects are mild and get better on their own as your body gets used to the medication, such as hoarseness, sore throat, or headaches. However, some side effects may last longer or require medical attention if they do not improve or become severe.

What to do if you get Bibecfo side effects

There are things you can do to manage mild Bibecfo side effects, such as:

• taking over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if able, drinking plenty of water, and only taking the prescribed dose to manage headaches
• rinsing your mouth after each inhaler use and spit it out to reduce the chance of mouth or throat irritation

Like other inhalers, Bibecfo can worsen shortness of breath and wheezing immediately after use. If this happens, stop using Bibecfo, use your fast-acting reliever inhaler, such as salbutamol or Ventolin, immediately, and contact your doctor.

If you get any of the following symptoms, speak to your doctor straight away:

• skin allergies
• itching
• skin rash
• reddening of the skin
• swelling of the skin or mucous membranes, especially of the eyes, face, lips, and throat
• chest pain or persistent palpitations
• changes to your vision
• changes to your urine
• changes to your blood pressure

Bibecfo inhalers are prescribed to manage asthma in adults aged 18 and older who need a combination of a corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator. It may not be suitable for everyone, though.

Do not use Bibecfo if you are allergic to beclometasone, formoterol, or any other ingredients listed in the medication.

Before using Bibecfo, tell your doctor if you:

• have any heart problems, including angina, a recent heart attack, heart failure, or coronary heart disease
• have a narrowing of the arteries called arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, or an aneurysm
• have heart rhythm disorders
• have an overactive thyroid
• have low blood potassium levels
• have kidney or liver disease
• have diabetes
• have an adrenal gland tumour called phaeochromocytoma
• need to have an anaesthetic as you may need to stop taking Bibecfo 12 hours before
• have or have ever been treated for tuberculosis
• need to avoid alcohol for any reason

Bibecfo and other medications

Before using Bibecfo, it is important that you tell your doctor about any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications you are taking, as they may interfere with the effectiveness of one another.

Do not take beta blockers with Bibecfo.

Tell your doctor before taking Bibecfo for asthma if you are taking any medications to treat:

• abnormal heart rhythms
• allergic reactions
• the symptoms of depression or mental health disorders
• Parkinson’s disease
• an underactive thyroid
• heart disease
• asthma
• furazolidone or procarbazine
• medications that interact with alcohol

Bibecfo and pregnancy and breastfeeding

Bibecfo should not be used routinely if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you think you might be pregnant, or are trying to get pregnant, should speak to your doctor before taking this medication, as there is limited clinical data on the use of Bibecfo during pregnancy and an alternative might be recommended.

At Superdrug Online Doctor, we offer several preventers, relievers, and combination inhalers to help manage and treat asthma symptoms. The right type or types for you will depend on several factors, including the severity of your condition and your inhaler preferences.

If you have already been prescribed an asthma inhaler, you can order a repeat from us. The combination inhalers we offer are:

• Fostair
• Luforbec
• Duoresp Spiromax
• Symbicort
• Fobumix
• Seretide

Bibecfo vs Fostair

Bibecfo and Fostair contain the same active ingredients, beclometasone and formoterol, at the same doses, and are available as pressurised metered-dose inhalers. The biggest difference is cost because Bibecfo is a branded generic alternative to Fostair, which means it is usually cheaper.

Bibecfo vs Ventolin

Bibecfo and Ventolin are different types of asthma medication. Bibecfo is a combination inhaler that contains 2 active ingredients and can be used as both a preventer and a reliever.

Ventolin, on the other hand, is a fast-acting reliever inhaler that contains salbutamol. It is used as needed to relieve asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. If you have a Ventolin inhaler, you must also use inhaled corticosteroids or a preventer inhaler daily to prevent asthma symptoms.

Bibecfo vs Symbicort

Bibecfo and Symbicort are both combination inhalers that are used to treat asthma by combining an inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting bronchodilator. However, there are some key differences. They are:

• active ingredients – Bibecfo contains beclometasone and formoterol, while Symbicort contains budesonide and formoterol
• inhaler type – Bibecfo is a pressurised metered dose inhaler, while Symbicort is a dry powder inhaler that is activated by taking a deep breath in
• particle size – Bibecfo contains extra-fine particles, and Symbicort contains standard particles