Symbicort 200

[T200she]

I was given this in January when my asthma was quite bad following a cold. I had 2 puffs morning and night. After a while it was reduced to 1 puff morning and night and I have been great, only using my Ventolin a couple of times in all that time. Over the past week or so my asthma has got worse again and I was wondering if I could go back to 2 puffs twice a day to see if it calms it down because at the minute it’s pretty miserable. Thanks for any advice.

[Poppins23]

I should imagine it would be ok. I switched to symbicort about 18 months ago and was told that I could use it as a reliever as well as a preventer. I tend to use my ventolin but when I feel an exacerbation starting I do use it as my preventer too.

[T200she in reply to Poppins23]

Thank you for your reply.. much appreciated

[Wheezycat]

To do that you should really be on SMART regime, at least if you want to do it continuously. Yes, it has a preventer in it, but this long acting preventer doesn’t kick in as fast as Ventolin does. Thus most people on symbicort also have ventolin.

We are not in normal times, but unless you are on SMART regime you shouldn’t really be adjusting your daily dose without consulting with someone. Also remember, that if you use a higher does regularly you may run out before you have a new prescription.

[Poppins23 in reply to Wheezycat]

I had a flare about a month ago and was told then that it was ok to continue as I was. I only ever resort to it when I feel that ventolin is not having an effect. I've been given the same advice by my respiratory consultant and asthma nurse. Due to how effective it is as a preventer I rarely need to use it but know my condition well enough to know when it is warranted.

[Wheezycat in reply to Poppins23]

Absolutely! I was referring to, but not spelling out, my own experience. I was on Symbicort 200/6 for a few years. Only recently was that changed. And I found it wasn’t helpful when I got breathless, say, when walking too fast. By the time it kicked in, as it undoubtedly does, was long after I reached home again. Ventolin takes 10-15 minutes, so is much quicker, and I found that far more useful. But if it was something g planned so I could take it an hour or more beforehand, yes, then it could help. I was also told about it, but personally I prefer Ventolin for instant-ish relief. On the other hand, I could use it with flares etc, and as I was on SMART regime increase for a bit when need arose, and that was really helpful! When I got a cold or some such, I would immediately increase

to 2x4 puffs, with the asthma nurse’s blessing.

[T200she]

Thank you both