Seretide change

[Dwileman67]

I am a 50 year old woman and have been on seretide 250 for many years, this has controlled my asthma well, beside colds and chest infections, however my drs surgery have been pushing me to move off this medication, which I am reluctant to do.

My son is also an asthmatic and they have made a complete mess of his medication in trying to get him off seretide.

I am worried about this change and want to know what the nearest alternative to seretide. This must be an evohaler rather than powder what alternatives should I push for? Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

[elanaoali]

I have this inhaler but never been pushed to use something else. I did try another inhaler (sorry can't remember what it was) but two days later after switching my symptoms came back. However don't let it put your off. Only change if you want and it works for you. Seretide takes 15 mins to work and the newer ones work quicker.

[Chip_y2kuk]

Seretide is expensive but its good... even if it is an old combination Inhaler..... the nhs was switching everyone to cheaper alternatives

[gamba]

Seretide is 3 times more expensive than Fostair (also an evohaler), which is why the NHS wants everyone on Fostair.

My practice nurse wanted me to switch and I tried Fostair for a month but it didn’t work for me, and I was able to switch back to Seretide. Fostair works better for some people so it’s probably worth trying.

[risabel59]

For some people dry powder inhalers (DPI) are better than MDI (metered dose inhaler). There are a lot of drugs around some of them are great. There is also a generic for seretide which will be coming out soon as the license terms are about expire so it should get cheaper. All the drug companies are trying to get doctors to change patients on to newer drugs to make more money.

I would ask for symbicort, because I think Budesonide is a better steroid than Beclomethasone which is in Fostair.

The combination inhaler that lots of people are talking about is Ellipta, it is a dpi, and I have heard good things about it, but have not tried it. It also contains Fluticasone which is in seretide, but a different LABA.

My own asthma is rather complicated and I was taken off seretide last year, but my new regime is very different, so would be unlikely to be prescribed by a GP.

Hope this is a bit helpful

R

[Hidden]

Hi Dwileman67

Welcome to the forum. I asked Micky, one of the Asthma UK nurses your question. She said that doctors may prescribe you the generic versions, most commons is Sirdupla. Sereflo just been released and Airflusal are also alternatives and these should have the same effect. as some people have pointed out, the change doesn't always suit everyone. We do advise that the change should be the same type of inhaler as you are already used to it as technique on a new type of inhaler might reduce how much medicine gets into your lungs,

Some people are being moved to fine particle inhalers such as Fostair or Flutiform because it's a finer particle it may get better delivery into the lungs.

Do give our nurse helpline a call to talk through it further, they can be reached on 0300 222 5800 (M-F, 9-5) and help you on the different types of inhalers available.

Hope that helps,

Dita

[Dwileman67 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks will give you a ring tomorrow. Much appreciated. Just don't want to be fobbed off

[AutumnHedgerow]

ask them to show you the results of published trials of the new (presumably generic & cost-saving) inhaler if they feel it is has medical benefits for you, then presumably 'they' (practice manager who will be the one driving the change) can make an objective medical case for it (as they will be making equivalence arguments, ask for the proof). And ask them if it is in latest publication of the BNF.

[Dwileman67 in reply to AutumnHedgerow]

Been to the surgery on many occasions for a review and the nurses comments have been .. seretide oh that's too expensive we'll get you off that... that's before I've even sat down and got my coat off......