Ventolin vs Symbicort

[alexanderosman]

I’ve just been prescribed Symbicort instead of Clenil + ventolin. I understand the difference between the contents of the inhalers and when to use them. My question is about the reason for the different effect when using Symbicort as a reliever compared to ventolin. When I’m having a flare, ventolin often doesn’t completely relieve my symptoms and I need more than 2 puffs at a time, and it wears off more quickly than it should, even though my asthma isn’t usually severe. I’ve used Symbicort for the first time and I’m suddenly loads better. I know it’s a long acting bronchodilator but is there another reason Symbicort would work so much better for me than ventolin? Is it something to do with small vs large airways?

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Some people just do better on Mart. Plus with the laba (instead of Saba) it should last longer as well as increase steroid dose calming the underlying inflammation. Also if you’re on dpi symbicort and we’re on an mdi ventolin that may also have an affect - some people do a lot better on powders vs the aerosols

Hope this helps explain and glad it’s working for you

[twinkly29]

Yes I agree with Emma.

It might also be that the steroid in the Symbicort is better for you than the one in the Clenil.

Glad it's helping!

[Wheezycat]

It certainly helped me much in the way that Emma is describing. Just one thing, Symbicort’s long acting reliever builds up over a few hours, and that is great, but for me it has not helped when I need a speedier relief. And I always have also had Ventolin/salbutamol for those moments as a matter of course. I did try to see if Symbicort would do the same but it didn’t, it was too slow to be helpful for those moments (for me either, for some reason, getting a coughing fit, or going for a walk and then hitting a brick wall breathing wise, especially during the winter months). On the other hand if I was having a cold triggering my asthma, then being able to increase my dose was great!

[alexanderosman in reply to Wheezycat]

Thanks. I have needed ventolin a few times, mainly linked to cold air. I think I can feel the difference - if it's the tightness around my ribs or general breathlessness creeping back then symbicort works, but if it's caused by cold air or exercise I still need ventolin. The doctor who prescribed it didn't give me any follow up instructions other than call back if it gets worse though. It hasn't got worse but hasn't got a lot better either - shortness of breath is a bit less severe but still quite persistent. I'll ring the doctors again (tomorrow hoping to get my normal GP) but worried I'll need more pred which I really don't want.

[twinkly29 in reply to alexanderosman]

Definitely a good idea to speak to your GP but the symbicort will take a few more weeks to kick in properly, and in the meantime needing ventolin is probably normal. If it's helping though that's good, especially if it's also for triggers you can identify like the cold air (ie it's not randomly out of control).

[alexanderosman in reply to twinkly29]

I'm still getting short of breath doing things around the house like getting dressed/walking to the kitchen/having a conversation on the phone which is why I'm worried I'll have to have more pred.

[twinkly29 in reply to alexanderosman]

I guess even if you do (which again can be normal in transition to a new inhaler) a short course to knock it on the head is better than it escalating.

[alexanderosman in reply to twinkly29]

The problem is that I only finished a course of 12 days last week, so I'd need to taper the course if I have another one. I've never had a course of pred not work before so quite worried about how persistent my symptoms are this time.

[Maltesemama]

You need both. Ventolin is a rescue inhaler, which needs to b around the house for you when there might b a flare up Symbicort should b used 2 x a day am and pm as a long term preventative. Life long asthmatic here. Good luck and feel better!

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Maltesemama]

Symbicort is one of the inhalers that can be used as maintenance and reliever therapy. For those that this works well for, they don’t need to use the ventolin as they use the symbicort as a reliever instead. They should have different plans about when to seek help etc.