Primrose123

[primrose123]

Has anyone been moved from Symbicort400 inhaler to Foster Nexthaler100ml, Any reviews on this would be much appreciated..Thank you!!

[clarap]

Fostair is brilliant - the reason it is much better than other duo inhalers is that the particulate size is much smaller than other inhalers. This means that it can get deeper into the lungs and into the smaller blood vessels. Also another bonus is because of this fact the steroids within it work much better and you don't need such a high dose - so less bad effects. All round a win win situation.

[primrose123 in reply to clarap]

Many thanks clarap for your kind reply, certainly seems much better than symbicort...Take care, & stay safe..x

[Poobah]

I moved from Symbicort 200/6 to Fostair 100/6 in January. Much better as the particles are smaller and the strength of the steroids is higher by comparison.

Having said that, it's horses for courses. Everyone is different and it's a case of trial and error to find what suits you best. I would give Fostair a month and then review your progress with your GP or asthma nurse.

[primrose123 in reply to Poobah]

Thank you kindly for your most helpful reply Poobah, I will give it a fair trial & hopefully it will be much better than symbicort...Take care, & stay safe..x

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I moved from a ridiculous regime with Symbicort 400 to Fostair 200/6 2 puffs twice a day, several years ago as my consultant prefers this inhaler.

As others have said you need less because the fine particles get more of the drug in. I also personally find it is easier to take - with Symbicort I found it hard to get the 'suck' when I was struggling so I would get less in just when I really needed it! The Nexthaler doesn't seem to need as much power so I find it easier.

I also seem to get fewer side effects - which is odd since the long-acting reliever part (formoterol) is the same as Symbicort and I am on the same dose.

As Poobah says, it is individual so I would support seeing how you get on and checking back in with GP/asthma nurse after a few weeks to a month.

Longer term, if you stay on it I advise making sure to order any repeats in good time - it seems to be one that is never in stock and usually has to be ordered in by the pharmacy, at least for the 200/6.

[Beetle53 in reply to Lysistrata]

Hi Lysistrata

Just wondering what side effects you got from symbicort... Ive been on it for years but don't 100 percent like it. Thanks.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Beetle53]

Hi,

So I mainly got palpitations and shakes from it which could be quite annoying - I didn't get anything like that from my salbutamol inhaler, only that level after a few nebs!

I assumed this was the formoterol as these are the kinds of effects associated with that class of drug (both the short and long-acting ie salbutamol and formoterol, salmeterol etc). However, I don't seem to get this with Fostair and as I said it is the same drug at the same dose for me as im Symbicort! Don't know if it's the steroid component or something about the device?

I was on Symbicort for years too and it was ok but I definitely prefer the Fostair. There are so many more options out there now that I think it's worth asking your doctor/asthma nurse about what else you could try, depending on what it is you like and dislike about Symbicort.

[Beetle53 in reply to Lysistrata]

Hi again

Thanks.... I will investigate after lock down... I've always been apprehensive about changing inhalers as usually end up unstable for a while and travel for work etc so didn't make time but that's not going to happen for foreseeable so time for change I think.

My favourite was the old becotide before they changed it to be ozone friendly and the substitutes never suited...😊

[primrose123 in reply to Lysistrata]

Thank you Lysistrata for your most welcome reply, I think Foster Nexthaler, appears to be the one,as you say it has less side effects,which will make a vast difference too Lysistrata, I hope it works as well for me as it has done for you,& thank you too for letting me. know to order early...Take care,& stay safe..x

[watergazer]

I made the change about 2 years ago and have been much better healthwise. No real exacerbations. I was changed to it because it has smaller particles and gets deeper into your lungs (where my problem is). I use the fostairnexthaler - it is so easy to use. On the downside I do get more bruising on my arms and legs. x It doesn't suit everyone so you need to give it at least a months trial. Anitax

[primrose123 in reply to watergazer]

Thank you Anitax for your most helpful reply, FostairNext seems to be one of the best inhalers according to all the good reports that I have been reading, it certainly appears to have many less side effects than symbicort,I will give it a good month or so & hopefully like yourself Anitax it will work well for me too..Take care,&stay safe..x

[Pipsqueak77]

Hi Prmrose123

I am sorry but I am gonna be the odd one out here!!!!😬

I absolutely hated the Nexthaler.. ie the dry powder version of Fostair..

I found that I just ended up with a mouthful of powder every time! It definitely does not have a smaller particle size in the powder inhaler... though that might be true in the MDI?

I was so confused by this.. as was told the particle size was smaller that I actually measured the particle size at work!! (am a chemist looking at small particles😂) and I found that they are not as small as quoted!??

So personally I prefer Relvar as a dry powder and this also has the benefit of being a once a day dose!

As others have said .. give it a try! We are all different.. and you might find it brilliant for you!

Good Luck🤞😊

[primrose123 in reply to Pipsqueak77]

Many thanks Pipsqueak77 for your most helpful, & kind reply, I guess it is all trial & error, until we find which inhaler suits us best,I will try the Fostair Nexthaler for a few weeks & if I have side affects, I may well ask my GP. if. he could prescribe Relvar, the one that you are on Pipsqueak77, but so far although it is early days. FostairNext seems to be working, but as you rightly say Pipsqueak77. side effects affect people in many different ways..Glad all good & well with you Pipsqueak77, Take care,& keep safe...x