New Preventeter

My new inhlaer ocver is brown rather than previous red and the cannister says beclometasone dipropionate (as propellant 11 solvate) and the old one says beclometasone dipropionate (propellant HFA-134a).

Is there any particular difference(both sauy 100 mcg) as I've noticed I get a taste left in my mouth with the new one.

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Hi Bradboy,

The two inhalers contain the same drug, beclometasone, as you know, and in the vast majority of people, should work in the same way. The propellant is the inactive component of the inhaler which is pressurised in order to allow the aerosol to work.

Propellant 11 (which combines with beclometasone to form propellant 11 solvate) is otherwise known as trichloromonofluoromethane, which is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC); CFC propellants cause damage to the ozone layer and contribute to the green house effect and are being phased out according to government legislation. HFA-134a is one of the most common non-CFC propellants now being used. See the thread 'Becotide' from a couple of days ago in the 'Medical' forum for details.

The different taste is due to the different propellant, and should not have any effect on the way the drug works. Very occasionally, people find that they are allergic to a specific propellant or react badly to it in some other way, for example experiencing coughing after using it. If you find that you are experiencing new symptoms, or that your asthma control is less good, do go back to your doctor. There are several different formulations of beclometasone inhaler, and if the one that you have now doesn't suit, it may be that another type will be better. If you do find this, then your GP will have to prescribe it by brand name (eg Clenil) rather than by generic name (eg beclometasone) to ensure that you are getting the same thing each time.

Hope this helps,

Em H

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Thanks for the reply.

I have felt that it's been less effective but that maybe becuase I've been a bit run down with a cold but if it's the same when I'm fir agiajn I'll refer back to GP.back i