Inhalers and increased heart rate

[HC26]

Hi there,

I’ve had a problem with an asthma flare up over the past few months and have been prescribed different inhalers to try.

I was originally on clenil but this got changed to flutiform but I found myself really shaky and had an increased heart rate (which was very noticeable through the night). I then decided to come off this on my own and went back to clenil. However, a month or two later, I was still having issues so got given Relvar. The same thing happened again, but more extreme. With an increased heart rate which seems to peak at night (120-130) and prevents me from sleeping. I’m now off the Relvar. I just finished this yesterday. Will my heart rate go back to normal soon? Has anyone else had this problem?

I have now been given Qvar to try.

Thank you.

[twinkly29]

It could be the long-acting bronchodilator (LABA) in the Flutiform and Relvar (formoterol in the Flutiform and vilanterol in the Relvar) that is causing the increased heart rate. If that has been the case, yes it should go down now you're off it and the Qvar shouldn't have the same effect as, like Clenil, it's the steroid bit but without the LABA element.

If that's not the reason then I'm not sure. Assume your heart rate was ok on the Clenil?

Clenil and Qvar both have the same steroid base (beclometasone) but the particles in the Qvar are finer so get right into the lungs more effectively.

Edit to add: Some people find this happens with some LABAs, as Junglechicken mentions below, and finding the one that works for you is the key. A small number of people find that all LABAs have the same effect on heart rate. I guess til one has tested them all, they wouldn't know for sure.

[HC26 in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks for your reply! I’m hoping it’ll come down in the next day or two. It’s a shame as I found the Relvar was actually giving me some relief with regards to my tight chest. But I will give Qvar some time.

[twinkly29 in reply to HC26]

The steroid in Relvar is fluticasone - if Qvar isn't as good for you, it might be that that's available as a standalone inhaler (without the LABA bit). It used to be called Flixotide but I'm not sure if it still is.

[Junglechicken]

Flutiform had this effect on me too. I switched to Seretide which is salmeterol (LABA) and fluticasone which works much better for me.

[HC26 in reply to Junglechicken]

Thank you! It’s good to know you can have other long-acting bronchodilators.

[HC26 in reply to Junglechicken]

How long did it take for your heart rate to return to normal?

[Junglechicken]

For me it was a 12 hours after i stopped taking it. It came down gradually rather than instantly slowing.

[HC26]

Ok thanks for the info! Aww man! I’m still struggling 36 hrs later. Hopefully it’ll be normal by tomorrow (fingers crossed)

[mumsue]

hi HC26 i had this same problem for years trying differant inhailers so stopped using anything then years later i was given Qvar to try and i haven t looked back , stick with it im sure this will help .

[HC26 in reply to mumsue]

This is great to hear! Thank you!

[lovelife00]

I'm happy to share my experience with you....i'm on Forstair after a year of ups and downs with my asthma. I had increased heart rate and was told it was anxiety not the asthma drugs. Anxiety was triggering my asthma or vis versa. I'm now taking a small dose of Sertraline, my asthma is under control, i'm more relaxed and in a much better place. Hope this helps and good luck.

[HC26]

This is excellent news! Thank you for sharing your experience. Anxiety has been mentioned a few times but having suffered with bad anxiety before I did not think this was the case as I really don’t feel that anxious at the moment. Maybe it is subconscious? Thanks again!

[EvieJo]

Hi, I seem to be experiencing this since my gp took me of seretide and put me on flutiform. I did not get this symptom on seretide - I had been on it for many years and felt it worked well for me. Gp couldn’t tell me why it was changed (my guess is cost) and said I couldn’t go back on seretide as they ‘are not prescribing it anymore’. I’ve had this (useless) answer every time I’ve asked. It’s so frustrating and makes me quite angry, especially when I hear others are on seretide - so clearly there shouldn’t be a problem getting it. It’s like it doesn’t matter that once stable asthma is now all over the place. Plus, yes the palpitations are not fun. My pulse is regularly around 110 (this is at rest).

[HC26]

My heart rate was similar! They were quite keen to get me off it when I said this was the case!