The Luforbec inhaler contains 2 active ingredients that help control and relieve asthma symptoms. It contains:

• beclometasone – a type of corticosteroid which reduces inflammation in the airways to prevent asthma symptoms
• formoterol – a long-acting bronchodilator which relaxes the smooth muscles in the airways to help you breathe more easily

Each metered dose contains 100 micrograms (mcg) of beclometasone and 6mcg of formoterol.

Luforbec is used in MART, meaning it is used every day, like a preventer inhaler, to prevent asthma symptoms, and as and when needed, similar to a reliever inhaler, to treat symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. If you use Luforbec in this way, you do not usually need a separate blue inhaler.

How long do Luforbec inhalers last?

Each Luforbec inhaler contains 120 doses. If you use the inhaler twice a day and do not need it for sudden-onset asthma symptoms, it will last for 60 days.

How long your Luforbecc will last depends on how many times per day you need to use it to prevent your asthma symptoms and how often you need to use it to relieve them.

How long do Luforbec inhalers take to work?

Beclometasone does not work straight away, so you will need to use it every day as prescribed to build up protection. Most people notice that their breathing improves after 3 to 7 days.

To relieve asthma symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness, formoterol can work in as little as 1 to 3 minutes.

How effective are Luforbec inhalers?

One study examining the effectiveness of a beclometasone dipropionate 100 mcg/formoterol 6 mcg inhaler found that it improved lung function in both smoking and non-smoking asthmatics. It also found that almost 50% of people had improved asthma control.

Another study found that the use of Luforbec significantly reduced the annual rate of severe asthma attacks in MART compared with salbutamol.

Luforbec is a pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI), which means it delivers a specific, measured dose of asthma medication to your lungs via an aerosol spray. You should use Luforbec exactly as your doctor has prescribed. There is a dose counter on the front of the inhaler which tells you how many doses are left.

Before using the Luforbec inhaler for the first time or if you have not used it for 14 days or more, you will need to test if it is working properly. You can do this by:

1. Removing the protective mouthpiece cover.
2. Hold the inhaler upright with the mouthpiece at the bottom.
3. Hold the inhaler away from yourself.
4. If you are using the inhaler for the first time, press the canister 3 times to release 3 puffs of medication.
5. If you have not used the inhaler for at least 14 days, press the canister to release 1 puff.
6. Check the dose indicator. If you are testing the inhaler for the first time, it should read 120.
7. The inhaler is now ready to use.

To use the Luforbec inhaler, make sure you are standing or sitting. Check the dose indicator before each dose. If the dose window says ‘0’, there are no doses left, and you will need a new inhaler.

To use the Luforbec inhaler:

1. Remove the protective cap from the mouthpiece and check that the inside is clean and free of dirt and debris.
2. Breathe out slowly and deeply.
3. Hold the canister, so that your thumb is at the bottom and your forefinger is above the canister. Put your lips around the mouthpiece.
4. Breathe in slowly and deeply through your mouth, and as you breathe in, press down firmly on the top of the inhaler to release 1 puff.
5. Remove the inhaler from your mouth and hold your breath for as long as possible.
6. Breathe out slowly, but do not breathe into the inhaler.

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

When to use Luforbec inhalers

A doctor will usually prescribe Luforbec to be taken twice daily to prevent symptoms. The usual dose is 1 puff in the morning and 1 puff in the evening.

Luforbec can also be used as a reliever inhaler to treat sudden asthma symptoms.

How much Luforbec to take

The usual dose of Luforbecc to prevent asthma symptoms is 1 puff in the morning and 1 puff in the evening.

If you use Luforbec to relieve asthma symptoms, you should take 1 puff and wait a few minutes. If you do not feel better, you should take another puff.

How many times a day can I use Luforbec?

You can use up to 8 puffs of Luforbecc per day. That is 2 preventer puffs and 6 reliever puffs.

What if I miss a dose of Luforbec?

If you forget to take Luforbec, you should take it as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose, and take the next dose at the correct time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

What if I take too much Luforbec?

If you take too much Luforbec, tell your doctor as they may need to carry out some blood tests. Taking too much formoterol can cause the following effects:

• feeling or being sick
• racing heartbeat
• palpitations
• abnormal heart rhythm
• headache
• trembling
• feeling sleepy
• too much acid in the blood
• low blood potassium levels
• high blood glucose levels

Taking too much beclometasone can lead to short-term issues with your adrenal glands. These will usually improve on their own within a few days, but your doctor may need to order blood tests to check your cortisol levels.

Luforbec is a prescription-only asthma inhaler that may be available on the NHS or with a private prescription from a trusted online doctor service.

Can I buy Luforbec inhalers online?

Yes, if you have already been prescribed Luforbec by your GP, you can buy it online from Superdrug Online Doctor.

To request Luforbec 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 Luforbec inhalers over the counter?

No, Luforbec is a prescription-only medication, which means you must have a doctor’s approval to get it, so you cannot buy it over the counter.

Can I get Luforbec inhalers on the NHS?

Yes, Luforbec is available on the NHS. It is an alternative to Fostair, another combination inhaler containing beclometasone and formoterol, so if you are currently using Fostair, your GP may switch you to Luforbec.

If you think Luforbec may be a good option for you, make an appointment with your GP for an asthma medication review. Once you have a prescription for Luforbec from your GP, you can order a repeat from Superdrug Online Doctor.

All asthma medications, including Luforbec, can cause side effects, though not everyone will experience them.

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

• fungal mouth and throat infections
• headache
• hoarseness
• sore throat
• pneumonia in COPD patients

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

• unusually fast heartbeat
• changes in electrocardiogram results
• asthma attack
• trembling
• restlessness
• dizziness
• palpitations
• flu symptoms
• vaginal fungal infections
• inflamed sinuses
• inflammation in the ear
• throat irritation
• cough and productive cough
• feeling sick
• taste changes
• burning lips
• dry mouth
• swallowing difficulties
• indigestion
• upset stomach
• diarrhoea
• muscle pain and cramp
• red face
• excessive sweating
• increased blood flow to some tissues in the body
• rhinitis
• nettle rash or hives
• changes in some blood constituents, such as platelets, white blood cells, glucose, and potassium

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 skin and mucous membranes that lasts several days

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

How long do Luforbec side effects last?

Luforbec side effects are often mild and temporary, and usually improve within a few days to a few weeks as your body gets used to the medication. However, some common side effects may last longer or require medical attention if they are severe or do not improve.

What to do if you get Luforbec side effects

Most mild side effects will improve as your body gets used to the medication, but they can also be managed at home. For example:

• headaches – drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration and take over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen
• mouth or throat irritation – after each use of Luforbec, you should rinse your mouth with water, spit it out and brush your teeth to minimise this irritation

If, after using Luforbec, your shortness of breath or wheezing gets worse, known as paradoxical bronchospasm, stop using Luforbec straight away and contact your doctor/seek urgent medical review immediately if this happens.

If you get any of the following allergic reaction symptoms, contact your doctor immediately or, in an emergency, call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E:

• skin allergies
• skin itching
• skin rash
• reddening of the skin
• swelling of the skin or mucous membranes, especially of the eyes, face, lips, and throat

Luforbec is suitable for people over 18 with asthma or for those with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who need a combination of a corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator to manage their condition. However, Luforbec may not be suitable for everyone.

Do not use a Luforbec inhaler if you:

• are allergic to beclometasone or formoterol
• are allergic to other medications or inhalers used to treat asthma or to any other ingredients in Luforbec

Before using Luforbec, tell your doctor if you:

• have any heart problems, such as angina, a recent heart attack, heart failure, coronary heart disease, abnormal heart muscle, or valvular heart disease
• have narrowing of the arteries, known as atherosclerosis
• have high blood pressure
• have an aneurysm
• have an irregular heart rate, fast pulse, or palpitations
• have an overactive thyroid
• have low blood potassium levels
• have kidney or liver disease
• have diabetes
• have adrenal gland tumours
• are due to have an anaesthetic
• have ever been treated for tuberculosis
• need to avoid alcohol for any reason

Luforbec and other medications

Before using Luforbec, tell your doctor about any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications you are taking, so that they can check if it is safe for you to take. Your doctor may also need to monitor you while taking Luforbec and other medications.

Do not take beta blockers, such as atenolol, propranolol, sotalol, with Luforbec.

Before using Luforbec, tell the doctor if you take 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

You should also tell your doctor if you take any medications that contain oxytocin or if you drink or take anything that contains alcohol.

Luforbec and pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not use Luforbec if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, are trying to get pregnant or are breastfeeding, unless a doctor tells you to.

Luforbec is not the only combination asthma inhaler available. We also have a range of separate preventer and reliever inhalers available as part of our asthma service. At Superdrug Online Doctor, we can provide the following:

Fostair

Fostair is a combination inhaler that contains the same active ingredients as Luforbec and works in the same way to manage and relieve asthma symptoms. Luforbec is a branded generic alternative to Fostair and is typically available at a lower cost.

DuoResp Spriomax

DuoResp Spiromax is a combination dry powder inhaler that contains the active ingredients budesonide (a corticosteroid) and formoterol (a long-acting bronchodilator). It is used as a daily maintenance inhaler, similar to a preventer inhaler, and also acts as a reliever inhaler in MART therapy.

Bibefco

Bibefco is another generic alternative to Fostair for treating asthma, containing the active ingredients beclometasone and formoterol. It is a more cost-effective combination inhaler alternative to Fostair.

Fobumix

Fobumix is a combination inhaler that is also licensed for MART, but it contains a different corticosteroid than Luforbec. Fobumix contains budesonide and formoterol and is available as a breath-actuated dry powder inhaler.

Seretide

Seretide is a combination inhaler that contains the corticosteroid fluticasone and a long-acting bronchodilator called salmeterol. However, unlike Luforbec, Seretide is not a licensed MART treatment because it does not contain the fast-acting, long-acting bronchodilator, formoterol. That means you must also have a reliever inhaler, such as salbutamol or Ventolin, for treating sudden asthma symptoms.

Luforbec vs Ventolin

Luforbec is a combination inhaler that contains 2 active ingredients: a corticosteroid (beclometasone) and a fast-acting, long-acting bronchodilator (formoterol). It is licensed for use in Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART), which means you can use it daily to prevent asthma symptoms and as needed for symptom relief, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Ventolin, on the other hand, is a reliever inhaler also known as a blue inhaler that contains the active ingredient salbutamol. Salbutamol is a fast-acting bronchodilator that works by relaxing the smooth muscle in the airways, making it easier to breathe. If you have asthma, you must also have a steroid inhaler to manage your condition.

Luforbec vs Symbicort

Symbicort is a combination asthma inhaler that contains budesonide and formoterol. It works similarly to Luforbec, but Symbicort is a dry powder inhaler, whereas Luforbec is a pressurised metered dose inhaler. They are both licensed for Maintenance and Reliever Therapy, so they can be used for daily maintenance and as required for symptom relief.