Fobumix Easyhaler is a dry powder inhaler (DPI) that contains a combination of 2 medications: budesonide, a corticosteroid that reduces airway inflammation, and formoterol, a long-acting bronchodilator that helps open your airways. It is often prescribed as part of a Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART) plan, which means it acts as both a preventer and reliever inhaler for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). Fobumix Easyhaler is manufactured by Orion Pharma.

Fobumix Easyhaler is a breath-actuated DPI, which means it works by releasing a dose when you breathe in through your mouth to deliver the medication to your lungs. It does not require a spacer, unlike some pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs), and is therefore easier for some people to use.

Fobumix contains 2 active ingredients, budesonide and formoterol, which work in the following ways to manage asthma:

• budesonide – a corticosteroid which reduces and prevents swelling and inflammation in the lungs
• formoterol – a long-acting beta 2 adrenoreceptor agonist or bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles in your airways to help you breathe more easily

How long do Fobumix Easyhalers last?

Fobumix Easyhalers are available in 60 or 120 doses. That means that if you use your Fobumix inhaler twice a day, a 60-dose inhaler will last 30 days, and a 120-dose inhaler will last 60 days. However, the actual time a Fobumix inhaler will last you depends on how many puffs per day your doctor recommends and whether you need to use it to relieve your symptoms.

How long does Fobumix Easyhaler take to work?

Fobumix Easyhaler works quickly to relieve asthma symptoms, usually within 1 to 3 minutes, because formoterol, a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA), has a rapid onset of action.

However, the budesonide component of Fobumix takes longer to reduce inflammation, with most people noticing an improvement in their condition within 3 to 7 days.

How effective are Fobumix Easyhalers?

Research shows that a budesonide/formoterol combination inhaler reduces the chance of a severe asthma attack by 25% compared to a salmeterol/fluticasone combination inhaler plus salbutamol, delaying the time before suffering a first severe attack.

One study examining the effectiveness of switching from a budesonide/formoterol Turbuhaler to an Easyhaler found that at the start of the study, 53% of patients had well-controlled asthma, which increased to almost 71% after the switch. This study demonstrates the ease of use of a Fobumix Easyhaler and the positive effect this can have on disease control.

The Fobumix Easyhaler is a breath-activated dry powder inhaler, so it delivers the medication straight to the lungs after a deep, fast inhalation. You’ll need to click the inhaler to release the medication and then breathe it in through your mouth. You should use the Fobumix Easyhaler exactly how your doctor has told you to.

To use the Fobumix Easyhaler, you will need to:

1. Remove the inhaler from the foil bag if this is the first time you are using it. Record the date you opened the inhaler, as it must be used within 4 months.
2. Remove the blue dust cap from the mouthpiece and shake the inhaler up and down 3 to 5 times, keeping it upright.
3. Holding the inhaler between your forefinger and thumb, press down on the red button until you hear a click. Let the inhaler click back into position again. This releases a dose. You must only click down once.
4. Continue holding the inhaler upright. Breathe out normally, away from the inhaler. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth between your teeth and close your lips tightly around the mouthpiece. Take a strong, deep breath in through your mouth.
5. Remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out normally. Do not breathe into the inhaler.
6. If you need another dose, repeat steps 2 to 5.
7. Place the dust cap back on the mouthpiece to stop the inhaler from going off by accident.
8. Rinse your mouth with water and spit it out; this helps reduce the chance of mouth irritation.

When to use Fobumix Easyhaler

If the Fobumix Easyhaler is your only asthma inhaler, your doctor will tell you to use it in 1 of the following ways:

• 1 inhalation in the morning and 1 inhalation in the evening or
• 2 inhalations in the morning or
• 2 inhalations in the evening

You should also use the Fobumix Easyhaler as and when you get asthma symptoms or to prevent them from happening if you are going to be exposed to a known trigger, such as exercise.

How much Fobumix to take

The maximum number of preventer inhalations per day is 4, but your doctor will tell you how many you need based on the severity of your condition.

As a reliever inhaler, most people do not need more than 8 inhalations per day, but for a short period, a doctor may allow up to 12 inhalations per day. If needing to use this often, or if symptoms are not relieved, seek an urgent in person review.

How many times a day can I use Fobumix Easyhaler?

You can use Fobumix once or twice a day as a preventer inhaler. As a reliever inhaler, you should use it as and when you need it, but you should not normally need more than 8 inhalations per day.

What if I miss a dose of Fobumix?

If you forget to use your Fobumix Easyhaler, take the dose as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next dose. If this is the case, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

What if I take too much Fobumix?

If you use more Fobumix than you should, you may get symptoms such as a headache, trembling, or a rapid heartbeat. These are usually mild and temporary, but you should contact your doctor if you take more Fobumix than you have been prescribed.

Fobumix Easyhalers are prescription-only medications, which means you must have a doctor's approval to get them. You will need an online consultation or a valid private or NHS prescription to get one.

Can I buy Fobumix Easyhalers online?

Yes, you can get Fobumix 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 Fobumix Easyhalers over the counter?

No, Fobumix Easyhaler is not available over the counter, as you must have a prescription from a doctor to get it.

Can I get Fobumix Easyhalers on the NHS?

Yes, Fobumix inhalers are available on the NHS. You will need to make an appointment with a GP to find out whether Fobumix is suitable for managing your condition and whether it is available in your area.

Fobumix Easyhaler can cause side effects, although not everyone will get them. Most side effects are mild and temporary, and go away as your body gets used to the medication.

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

• palpitations
• a fungal infection in the mouth (thrush)
• mild sore throat, coughing, and a hoarse voice
• headache

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

• feeling restless, nervous, or agitated
• disturbed sleep
• dizziness
• feeling sick (nausea)
• fast heartbeat
• bruising of the skin
• muscle cramps
• blurred vision

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

• rash, itching
• bronchospasm (tightening of the muscles in the airways, which causes wheezing)
• low levels of potassium in the blood
• uneven heartbeat

A full list of potential Fobumix Easyhaler side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet that comes with your inhaler.

How long do Fobumix side effects last?

Most Fobumix side effects are usually mild and temporary and improve as your body gets used to the medication.

What to do if you get Fobumix side effects

There are things you can do to manage the mild side effects of Fobumix, such as:

• taking over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol, to manage pain
• drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
• rinsing your mouth with water and spit it out every time you use the inhaler to reduce the chance of mouth and throat irritation

If you get any of the following serious side effects when using Fobumix Easyhaler, stop using it and get urgent medical help or call 999 or go to A&E in the case of an emergency:

• swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, throat, or lips
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• sudden acute wheezing or shortness of breath after using your inhaler – if this happens, stop using Fobumix and use your reliever inhaler, contact your doctor to have your treatment changed
• chest pain or persistent palpitations

Fobumix Easyhaler is prescribed to treat asthma in adults and children aged 12 and over*. It can be used as your only inhaler as part of a MART plan or as a separate reliever inhaler. Although it is an effective asthma treatment, it may not be suitable for everyone.

Do not take Fobumix if you are allergic to budesonide, formoterol, or lactose.

Before using a Fobumix Easyhaler to manage asthma, tell your doctor if you:

• are diabetic
• have a lung infection
• have high blood pressure
• have ever had a heart problem
• have a thyroid or adrenal gland problem
• have low blood potassium levels
• have severe liver problems

*At Superdrug Online Doctor, we can only provide treatment to people over 18

Fobumix and other medications

Before taking Fobumix, let your doctor know if you are taking any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications so they can ensure there are no interactions that could be unsafe or reduce effectiveness.

Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• beta-blockers
• medications to treat a fast or uneven heartbeat
• digoxin
• diuretics
• oral steroids
• xanthine medications
• other bronchodilators
• tricyclic antidepressants
• phenothiazine medications
• medications to treat infections
• Parkinson’s disease medications
• thyroid medications
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Fobumix and pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, think you might be pregnant, or are trying for a baby, talk to your doctor before using Fobumix. Do not use this medication unless your doctor tells you to.

If you get pregnant while using Fobumix, do not stop using it, but contact your doctor for advice.

There are several alternative asthma inhalers available. They can differ in the inhaler type, their active ingredients, and their use. At Superdrug Online Doctor, we offer several different:

• preventers
• relievers
• combination inhalers

Each manages and treats asthma symptoms, but the most suitable type for you will depend on 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 – A pink combination inhaler that contains beclometasone and formoterol
• Luforbec – A branded generic alternative to Fostair, which is more cost-effective, but contains the same active ingredients, in the same dosage, and works in the same way
• Duoresp Spiromax – A branded equivalent to Fobumix, which contains budesonide and formoterol to manage and treat asthma symptoms
• Symbicort – A branded alternative to Fobumix that contains budesonide and formoterol, but Symbicort is a Tubuhaler rather than a DPI
• Bibefco – A pMDI that contains beclometasone and formoterol, and is a cheaper alternative to Fostair
• Seretide – A combination inhaler that contains fluticasone and salmeterol, which cannot be used for MART, so you must have a separate reliever inhaler, such as Ventolin or a generic salbutamol alternative

Fobumix vs Fostair

Fobumix and Fostair are effective combined asthma inhalers that can provide long-term control of your symptoms and rapid relief when symptoms flare. However, they contain different active ingredients and are available in different inhaler types.

Fostair contains the corticosteroid beclometasone and the bronchodilator formoterol. It is a pMDI, which means it delivers the medication straight to your lungs using an aerosol spray. Fobumix contains budesonide and formoterol and is available as a dry powder inhaler, which may be easier for some people to use.

Fobumix vs Ventolin

Fobumix and Ventolin are used for different purposes in asthma management. Fobumix is a combination inhaler which contains both a steroid and a bronchodilator, and can be used to prevent and relieve asthma symptoms.

Ventolin is a reliever inhaler, sometimes called a blue inhaler, which contains the active ingredient salbutamol. It can only be used to treat the sudden onset of asthma symptoms or if you are going to be exposed to a known trigger, such as exercise or an allergen. If you have a blue inhaler, you will need a separate preventer inhaler containing inhaled corticosteroids to help prevent asthma symptoms.

Fobumix vs Symbicort

Fobumix and Symbicort are combination inhalers that contain budesonide and formoterol. Fobumix is a generic alternative to Symbicort. The main difference is the inhaler device. Fobumix is a dry powder inhaler, while Symbicort is a Turbohaler, which also contains dry powder, but requires you to twist the base to release the medication rather than clicking a button.