Hi everyone, I have been prescribed Fostair 200 twice per day and Spiriva once per day . Which do I use first and which time of day.? I am confused by the advice. I also have a Ventolin inhaler but my doctor did not say to use this as well.
Many thanks, Judy
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Judyfoster
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Unless instructed otherwise, the ventolin is for if you are symptomatic.
I don't think it actually matters which of the other 2 you use first. I always use my Symbicort (similar to Fostair) first and then my Spiriva - but only out of habit. The Fostair should be roughly 12 hours apart but the important thing is to take it at a similar time each morning and evening if you can so that it's regular. The Spiriva I would just do after the morning Fostair
This post doesn't answer your particular question but gives more info about inhalers, both the preventers and the reliever (ventolin):
I take my LAMA inhaler before my Fostair as it opens up my lungs and so it's easier to inhale the Fostair. I take them first thing in the morning and then 12 hours later. If I have any shortness of breath during the day I use my Ventolin, but I have discussed this with my GP and they're OK with that. If you're on MART, then you would use your Fostair as a reliever rather than the Ventolin. Normally you would have discussed your MART regime with your asthma nurse or doctor and been given a written asthma plan, detailing how often you can use the Fostair as a reliever, over & above the morning & evening doses.
If you're still unsure about your meds I would speak with your asthma nurse - a quick phone chat can sort things out and put your mind to rest.
Usually spiriva (lama) is prescribed for the mornings (I say usually as I was told to try it at night and it works much better - but I’m also on a 1x a day preventer). It doesn’t matter which way round you use them. Some people are told to do the combi (steroid/laba - fostair) first, others told lama first - I suggest doing what works for you. Try both and see if there’s a difference 😅. The reasoning for both is the same ‘combi first cause laba opens up lungs’ ‘lama first cause it opens up your airways’. Some people find the laba in the combi faster, others find the lama in the spiriva better 😉
And ventolin should be used as needed unless instructed otherwise. You’re not on a MART regime so ventolin is your reliever.
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