Fobumix Easyhaler

What is Fobumix Easyhaler?

Fobumix Easyhalers contain medication to treat COPD and asthma in an inhalable, white-ish powder. Just push down on the inhaler to ready the dose and then breathe in – there’s no need to try and time your breath with activating the inhaler.

This treatment contains two active ingredients that work in combination to help manage your symptoms. One is called formoterol, which opens up your airways to make breathing easier. This should help relieve your asthma symptoms. The other is a preventative treatment called budesonide. Budesonide targets inflammation to reduce irritation in your airways and keep your condition under control.

According to current guidelines, you can use Fobumix in two ways:

• as-needed, when you experience asthma symptoms, as an anti-inflammatory reliever (AIR), or:
• daily to keep your asthma in check. You can also speak to your clinician about using it to provide relief from symptoms as they occur. If you use both a preventer and reliever inhaler, this could mean Fobumix is a good option that doesn’t require you to remember two separate inhalers, however you should only use Fobumix as maintenance and reliever therapy (MART) if directed to by a clinician.

How does Fobumix work?

There are two active ingredients in Fobumix Easyhalers that work to relieve and control your asthma and COPD symptoms. The first is a type of steroid (known as a corticosteroid) called budesonide. This reduces swelling in the lungs and airways, which in turn leads to fewer symptoms and asthma attacks.

The second is a long-acting bronchodilator, called formoterol. A bronchodilator is simply a medicine that relaxes and widens your airways, making it easier for air to pass in and out of your lungs. As it’s long-acting, you’ll benefit from its effects for around 12 hours.

What doses does Fobumix Easyhaler come in?

There are three different doses of Fobumix Easyhaler available depending on the severity of your condition.

The smallest dose is 80 micrograms of budesonide and 4.5 micrograms of formoterol per inhalation, for mild cases of asthma. This dose is too low to be used if your asthma is severe, or to treat COPD. The next largest dose contains 160 mcg of budesonide and 4.5 mcg of formoterol, for if your asthma or COPD is more serious. For the most severe cases, a dose of 320 mcg budesonide and 9 mcg formoterol is available.

The number of times you’ll use your inhaler in a day will come down to your control over your condition and your symptoms. Usually, this will be between one and four puffs, either once or twice a day. You may be instructed to use your Fobumix Easyhaler as a reliever inhaler (sometimes called as-needed AIR therapy) too, in which case you’ll also use it when you experience symptoms. Your clinician will instruct you on how and when you should use your inhaler.

Depending on where you live, Fobumix Easyhaler might be called something slightly different. For example, in Ireland they’re known as Bufomix Easyhalers. These are produced by the same company, and contain the same active ingredients in the same dosages.^[1] In the end, the only real difference is the name.

How to use Fobumix Easyhaler

You may be prescribed Fobumix as part of a MART regime, which stands for maintenance and reliever therapy.^[2] By taking your inhaler every day, the budesonide will reduce any inflammation in your lungs, maintaining your control over symptoms and lowering your risk of an asthma attack. Meanwhile, the formoterol will relax your airways, relieving your symptoms as they occur, allowing you to breathe more freely.

Fobumix Easyhalers are designed to be simple – follow these easy steps on how to use yours to get the most from your treatment:

• If it’s the first time you’re using your Fobumix Easyhaler, remove it from the foil packaging. You should only remove the foil when you’re ready to start using your inhaler, and make a note of the date when you do, because you’ll need to stop using it and throw it away four months after opening, even if there are doses left.
• Remove the blue dust cap from the mouthpiece of your inhaler.
• Hold the inhaler upright, with your index finger on the top and your thumb underneath the mouthpiece at the bottom.
• Shake the inhaler three to five times.
• Press down on the red top-half of the inhaler until you hear a click, then let it return to its original position. This gets your dose ready to breathe in.
• Breathe out normally, as far as is comfortable for you.
• Place the mouthpiece in your mouth without biting down on it, and close your lips around it.
• Take a deep, strong breath through the mouthpiece.
• Remove the inhaler from your mouth, and breathe out as far as is comfortable. Make sure you don’t breathe out into the mouthpiece.
• If you need to take another dose, shake the inhaler three to five times, and repeat from there.

After taking your inhaler, you should rinse out your mouth with water. This’ll reduce your risk of nasty side effects, like a possible throat infection.

You can also use a dry cloth or tissue to wipe the mouthpiece.

How long does it take for Fobumix Easyhaler to work?

You should notice your symptoms getting better within a couple of minutes of using your inhaler. Formoterol will get to work right away, relaxing and widening your airways to ease your breathing. Studies have shown that all patients using budesonide and formoterol treatments displayed significantly improved lung function after three minutes, compared to the baseline. ^[3]

The budesonide will take a bit longer to work, as it needs a little time to lower the levels of chemicals in your lungs that cause swelling and irritation. After three to seven days, you’ll find yourself wheezing and short of breath less often.

What should I do if I make a mistake taking Fobumix?

You should only ever take your Fobumix Easyhaler as instructed by your clinician. If you miss taking a dose, you shouldn’t worry. Take it as soon as you remember, unless there’s only a short while until you need to take your next one. If your next dose is due, skip the one you missed and continue your treatment as normal.

You should never take two doses to make up for a missed one, as this could increase the risk of side effects. Taking too much Fobumix can cause tremor, an increased heart rate, or a headache. ^[4]

If you accidentally click the inhaler, activate it more than once, or breathe out into the mouthpiece, don’t worry. Simply tap the mouthpiece over a table or your hand to empty the powder out, and start again.