Symbicort

I have been prescribed Symbicort to replace my Seretide, Qvar and Salbutamol.

However, I have just read the information leaflet and it mentions that the powder does not have a taste I was just wondering if anyone else is on this inhaler. How do I know if I have taken my dose or not?

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hmm that's an interesting one...I never thought about that! I don't know how you'd tell really.

I did know when I started on the 400/12 2 doses twice a day because it seemed to have enough LABA in it to give me the shakes etc - so I knew it must be getting in. Not ideal (it did stop though sometimes happens again) but one way to tell I guess. Can't remember though if I got that on the 200/6.

Re it actually working - it may be different for others but I'd almost given up after 3 weeks when it didn't seem to be doing anything (though my cons did say give it a couple of months), then it quite suddenly started working. So I guess that's another option, wait and see, if you notice an improvement - but not perfect as I guess you need to know if you are getting it in there for it to build up! (I also wanted to say this because previously I'd tried Symbicort and given up too soon when it actually turned out to be a fairly good one for me).

Might be worth asking a pharmacist - last time I collected a repeat they asked to do a review and offered me the chance to check my inhaler technique on a device which they set up first for Ventolin MDIs then Symbicort/turbohalers - it tests whether you're breathing in at the right speed. So could well be worth asking for that, then if you're getting it right you're probably getting the Symbicort in there, and if you're not they can show you what to do.

Hope this helps.

[yaf_user681_30355]

I have been using Symbicort for about 7 years now. My take on it is, as long as you are activating the inhaler correctly the medication will be inhaled. I do prefer turbohalers.

My asthma nurse had a dummy turbohaler that tested my technique too. It whistles loudly if you get it right!