Seretide 100

[Nozzam]

Hello All I have been on Seretide 100 for years now with no issues at all. Went for my asthma check up yesterday and the asthma nurse told me to get off Seretide as there was a concern about the chemicals in the fluticasone and my local health authority are taking it off formulary. I have never heard this before - and was rather taken a back. Anyone heard of this ( I know I have a choice to stay on it). Thx you

[PMRPete]

The main problems with Fluticasone Propionate is when used as a nasal spray. Never heard of any problems with Seretide due to this.

[Poobah]

I've not heard this so Googled it. I came across a warning that Seretide was no longer licensed for treatment of COPD. There was also a batch recall due to a fault. But apart from that, Seretide is still on the prescribed list for the treatment of asthma.

If you do find out more from your asthma nurse please share on here.

[Nozzam in reply to Poobah]

Thank you. Yes I most definitely will tell you if I find out anymore details. I don’t have COPD - it was a very bizarre conversation and made me wonder whether she has got her facts right.

[Hidden in reply to Nozzam]

yes ,the same thing happened to me a month ago.i was breathless and was given appt with asthma nurse who informed me Seretide is no longer recommended for asthma as there is a risk of pneumonia. and gave me fostair.i had bad side effects and with her agreement was put back on seretide250.

[Nozzam in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for this. Where does the information come from - if our own Asthma UK nurses on here have not heard of it? Surely that would mean Seretide should come with a warning. What side effects did you have from Fostair?

[Hidden in reply to Nozzam]

NICEhas recommended it in my health autrhority

[Nozzam in reply to Hidden]

Sorry. Recommended what? Stopping seretide because of pneumonia concerns?

[Hidden in reply to Nozzam]

sorry yes basically my nurse told me the advice comes from the govt and drs no longer recommend it for asthma, you are more likely to contact pneumonia.in America there is a warning about this medicine too,she also told me it was"old fashioned" now.they just seem to be obsessed with fostair like its a wonder drug.i was pouring with sweat all day they were my side effects.

[Nozzam in reply to Hidden]

Very interesting. But there is nothing on the NICE guidelines, just checked and there is no existing black box warning on Advair ( Seretide) in the US. Also just emailed a GSK rep ( they make Seretide and he has heard nothing. I am glad you are still on it as the Fostair side effects sound awful.

[BarrieB]

Me too about 2 years ago. I was put on clenil as a substitute. I suffered from joint pains within a week or so that got progressively worse. Eventually I was diagnosed with Myalgia Rheumatica and put on high dose of prednisolone. All pains and asthma symptoms magically gone as you might imagine. Only just finished an extensive tapering off during which the joint pains have gradually returned but the asthma has not. I now don’t even take clenil. I’m now awaiting results from a blood test to see whether the myalgia has returned or that I’m just getting old (I am old of course 71)

Sorry for the diatribe.

In summary

I don’t know whether the seretide caused any of this but I have read that sudden withdrawal can cause joint pains even though my asthma nurse was not aware of it. See

nhs.uk/conditions/steroid-i...

[Nozzam in reply to BarrieB]

Hello. Thx you for your reply. Were you told why you were taken off Seretide - Cost reasons or something else?. I am so glad to hear your asthma has not returned, that’s brilliant and hope your joint pain remains minimal.

[BarrieB]

No reason was given. However, I once forgot my inhaler on an overnight trip and when I tried to get one locally was told they would charge me £250 for a replacement and this was probably 10 years ago. I decided to go home. So I suspected the reason was one of cost. I did find a research paper giving the cost benefit analysis of various inhalers and Seretide did not fair very well.

Please be aware that my condition was originally misdiagnosed and what they thought was asthma was actually bronchiectasis exacerbated by silent reflux. I’m just hoping that this was the correct diagnosis. So far no ill effects of stopping clenil and the joint pains may just have been coincidence. Worth asking the question though. Good luck.