Foster Special Precautions

Talk to the doctor or pharmacist or nurse before using Foster: If the patient has any heart problem, such as angina (heart pain, pain in the chest), a recent heart attack (myocardial infarction), heart failure, narrowing of the arteries around the heart (coronary heart disease), valvular heart disease or any other known abnormalities of the heart or if the patient has a condition known as hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (also known as HOCM, a condition where the heart muscle is abnormal).
If the patient has narrowing of the arteries (also known as arteriosclerosis), if the patient has high blood pressure or if there is aneurysm (an abnormal bulging of the blood vessel wall).
If the patient has disorders of the heart rhythm such as increased or irregular heart rate, a fast pulse rate or palpitations or if the patient has been told that the heart trace is abnormal.
If the patient has an overactive thyroid gland.
If the patient has low blood levels of potassium.
If the patient has any disease of the liver or kidneys.
If the patient has diabetes (if the patient inhales high doses of formoterol the blood glucose may increase and therefore may need to have some additional blood tests to check the blood sugar when starting to use this inhaler and from time to time during treatment).
If the patient has a tumour of the adrenal gland (known as phaeochromocytoma).
If the patient is due to have an anaesthetic. Depending on the type of anaesthetic, it may be necessary to stop taking Foster at least 12 hours before the anaesthesia.
If the patient is being, or has ever been, treated for tuberculosis (TB) or if the patient has a known viral or fungal infection of the chest.
If the patient must avoid alcohol for any reason.
If any of the previously mentioned applies to the patient, always inform the doctor before using Foster.
If the patient has or had any medical problems or any allergies or if the patient is not sure as to whether he/she can use Foster talk to the doctor, asthma nurse or pharmacist before using the inhaler.
Treatment with a beta-2 agonist like the formoterol contained in Foster can cause a sharp fall in the serum potassium level (hypokalaemia).
If the patient has severe asthma, take special care. This is because a lack of oxygen in the blood and some other treatments the patient may be taking together with Foster, such as medicines for treating heart disease or high blood pressure, know as diuretics or 'water tablets' or other medicines used to treat asthma can make the fall in potassium level worse. For this reason the doctor may wish to measure the potassium levels in the blood from time to time.
If the patient takes higher doses of inhaled corticosteroids over long periods, the patient may have more of a need for corticosteroids in situations of stress. Stressful situations might include being taken to hospital after an accident, having a serious injury or before an operation.
In this case, the doctor will decide whether the patient may need to increase the dose of corticosteroids and may prescribe some steroid tablets or a steroid injection.
Should the patient need to go to the hospital, remember to take all the medicines and inhalers, including Foster and any medicines or tablets bought without a prescription, in their original package, if possible.
Contact the doctor if the patient experiences blurred vision or other visual disturbances.
Driving and using machines: Foster is unlikely to affect the ability to drive and use machines. However, if the patient experiences side effects such as dizziness and/or trembling, the ability to drive or operate machinery may be affected.
Foster contains alcohol: Foster contains a small amount of alcohol. Every actuation (puff) from the inhaler contains 7 mg of ethanol.
Use in children and adolescents: Foster should not be used in children and adolescents less than 18 years old, until further data become available.