What is the difference between Pulmicort and Qvar? Is one stronger than the other?

[Hazyeyes]

Is Pulmicort Turbhaler 200 2 x a day a higher dose for Asthma than Qvar 100 2 x a day ? I have been changed to this after three years on Qvar but then feeling bad last few weeks due to pollen I think.

[twinkly29]

They have a different base steroid. Pulmicort is budesonide and Qvar is beclometasone. So I'm not sure how comparable the doses are as they're different drugs. How well one works for one person will be different to another person's response.

[Hazyeyes in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks. I was just hoping it didn’t mean I had uncontrolled asthma and that I might be on a higher dose treatment than before. As I had been pretty stable for a few years until this years hayfever season.

[twinkly29 in reply to Hazyeyes]

I suspect not as it's a similar level of drug/type of drug. Maybe they thought one suited you better? Or maybe one was cheaper! But see how you go. Maybe discuss with GP to find out why as if original one was better you need to be on that really.

[Hazyeyes in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks. They mentioned something about people can be allergic to the propellant in the other one, although I had been on it for three years without issues until recently so would have thought I was not allergic to it.

[twinkly29 in reply to Hazyeyes]

My inclination would be the same as yours there. If only doctors would explain why they've changed things!

[Poobah]

Here's a link to a conversion table that includes both Qvar & Pulmicort so you can check on dosage.

mims.co.uk/management-asthm...