FAQs

FAQs

Find answers to commonly asked questions on Asthma and QVAR.

The lungs are made up of large and small airways. Asthma is a disease of chronic lung inflammation that affects both the large and small airways. If left untreated , this inflammation can cause damage to the airways in the lungs and can be associated with asthma attacks and difficulty breathing. The small airways make up more than 98% of the lung.2

Extrafine QVAR is a preventer inhaler in New Zealand designed to reach and treat inflammation not only in the large airways but also in the small airways.

Your doctor will advise whether a lower dose of corticosteroid may be required.

Your doctor is best to advise whether nocturnal (or night-time) asthma, exercise-induced asthma or allergy-induced asthma will be appropriately treated with QVAR.

No, like most other asthma inhalers the extrafine QVAR inhaler is ‘fully subsidised’, so the usual pharmacy dispensing fees that you normally pay should apply.

Some asthma medications contain a combination of an ICS (inhaled corticosteroid) and a LABA (long-acting beta agonist). QVAR is different from combination products because there is only one drug in extrafine QVAR, an inhaled corticosteroid. QVAR is a part of a class of medications that doctors prescribe for treating mild-to-moderate persistent asthma.

Your healthcare provider is best to advise on your medication based on your Asthma Action Plan.

Always take extrafine QVAR as your doctor has prescribed. The usual regimen is twice a day. To help you remember, try taking extrafine QVAR along with other daily activities, like brushing your teeth in the morning and at night, or while taking other ‘twice daily’ medications.

It is easy! The QVAR Quick Guide (Download PDF here) gives instructions on how to take a dose from your QVAR extra-fine preventer inhaler.

QVAR is designed to be used without a spacer. However, if you need to use a spacer, the AeroChamber Plus can be used with QVAR Inhaler. Using a spacer can reduce the amount of drug deposited in your mouth and throat. You should not change to another make of inhaler or spacer without first checking with your doctor. You should actuate only one dose at a time into the spacer and inhale each single dose immediately. It is important to wash your spacer regularly to prevent static charge build-up.

Please follow the cleaning instructions that come with the spacer.

Make sure your doctor knows about all the medications you are taking, as well as any dietary supplements or herbal remedies that you may be using. Your doctor may adjust your dose of QVAR or other medications depending on how they interact.

Like all medicines, QVAR has risks and benefits. Consumer Medicine Information can be obtained from here. Ask your doctor if QVAR is right for you. Always use strictly as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects see your healthcare professional.

Reference: 1. van der Wiel E et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2013;131:646-57.  2. Carr TF, Altisheh R, Zitt M. Small airways disease and severe asthma. World Allergy Organ J. 2017;10(1):20. Published 2017 Jun 21. doi:10.1186/s40413-017-0153-4