Change of inhaler for smart regime

[Kelshaw2011]

Hi, wondering if anyone can help, my consultant is trying me on the symicort 200/6 smart regime, I have tried every other inhaler as my asthma is very complex due to the severity and I am on maximum therapy with inhalers nebuliser and tablets, my gp was sent a letter requesting the change in inhaler and for 2 to be issued every month, my gp prescribed a cheaper version which just states the ingredients what is in symbicort I can't get through to my gp to ask him if this is OK to use instead of the proper symbicort on smart regime

Many thanks

[Poobah]

You could phone your consultant, explaining that the GP has prescribed a generic version of Symbicort and is that OK for the SMART regime. If they want you on Symbicort rather than generic then they can advise your GP and let you know if the generic inhaler is OK to use in the meantime for MART. Probably easier to get through to the hospital team that your GP, leaving a message for the consultant.

When I was on Symbicort MART, my consultant insisted on the branded inhaler.

[Kelshaw2011 in reply to Poobah]

Thankyou for your reply will do that

[lakelover]

I seem to remember a few years ago that some people found that the generic version of Symbicort wasn't as good as the real thing. Can't remember why though.

[Kelshaw2011 in reply to lakelover]

Thanks for the reply. I wasn't sure as it has the same ingredients and strength as symbicort but I prefer the branded onesMany thanks

[ccccc]

They should really prescribe what's in the letter - GP trying to save a few quid me thinks...!

[Snickers72]

Generics are not mirror image identical to the brand name. Unless the generic was tested for the SMART REGIME - it should really not be used. I never found Symbicort to be effective. However, just because something was not effective previously, does not mean that will always be the case.

[Beetle53]

Hi I use symbicort as preventer and reliever most of the time although I still have ventolin for emergencies. Been on symbicort for years (like 15++) only used as MART for 2+ years... Works ok for me. I've only ever used actual symbicort not generic one so can't comment on that. I'm not medical at all but from 50+ years of experience, in my opinion, not all inhaler brands are the same eg sabutamol miscellaneous brand to true ventolin do give different affects.

As others have suggested speak to consultant or Dr.

Alternatively if you try alternative for a month and it doesn't work for you as well, feed that back and ask for branded one.

Hope you find a good solution for you.