Hi, I was prescribed Fostair a few months ago, never having had a combination inhaler before. It was fine for a while but then I started coughing all day long. I read that this might be a side effect of Fostair so I stopped taking it and now the coughing isn’t so bad. However, there was a period of cold turkey coming off the Fostair when I felt pretty bad. Has anyone else had the coughing side effect from Fostair? And what should I do now? Is Seretide any better? I’m just on good old sambutamol now, which is what I’ve had for many years. Not sure I like the idea of a combi inhaler if the steroid does weird things to my body.
Thanks
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Lenathesinger
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I've had several powder types and they're all as bad . The least harmful one seems to be Sumbicort turboinhaler. I had simple Ventolin for years or Serevent, moved to Cornwall and was told we're trying to get rid of turbo types and get everybody onto powder. Nearly killed me, couldn't breathe at all after a time. I've been asthmatic for 65 years and walked 10miles a day before this place. Ignore dogma in the NHS, if yours has worked for years, don't change. I was told my lungs would degenerate if I didn't take a new combination inhaler. I was 70 and climbing mountains!
combination inhalers come in standard MDI inhalers too. Fostair most certainly comes in MDI form. If power isn’t working for you that’s always an option
I strongly advise to talk with your asthma nurse or doctor ASAP. Strictly we should discuss side effects and stopping meds with the prescriber, especially as asthma can be an unpredictable disease and, if not treated, can result in emergency treatment being required. Relying solely on Ventolin is not a treatment as it's a rescue inhaler and only gives relief for around 4 hours and doesn't treat asthma long term. When you make your appointment, explain you've had to stop taking your inhaler because of side effects, hopefully you'll get a same day appointment.
You have the option of trying an aerosol inhaler plus you then have the option of using a spacer, a device that fits onto the inhaler with the other end in your mouth. So the dose is delivered into the spacer and captured while you use several breaths to inhale all the meds. That may be easier on your throat.
Your asthma nurse/doctor can offer you several different combo inhalers and you may still have to try several, each for 8 weeks, before you find the right one for you. Whenever you start a new asthma med, a review with the prescriber is important in order to evaluate your progress, any side effects and if the dose needs to be tweaked - an 8 week period is usual when starting a steroid med as it takes that long to build up to full effectiveness.
When using dry powder inhalers, it's important to thoroughly rinse the mouth, brush your teeth and, for some, gargle. The residue powder can irritate the throat and oral hygiene, where steroids are concerned, is necessary in order to avoid teeth deterioration (steroids can weaken teeth if left in the mouth). Some asthmatics use toothpaste & mouthwash high in fluroide in order to prevent tooth decay - your dentist can advise.
I get a cough when I take Fostaire but not during the between times. The steroid does have side effects but as one of these is reduced inflammation in the lungs I am all for it.
I can highly recommend Seretide. When I take a regular morning and night puff (or two) of Seretide I find I make very little use of Salbutamol. My asthma feelsunder much better controlwit Seretide. My GP practice asked to switch to Fostaire (cost reasons?) but found it didn't controlmy asthma nearly as well. Seretide is an older drug but works well for me.
Like you, was on Salbutamol for years, the transition from that to Seretide was hassle free, and not had an Asthma symptoms since. Ive even tapered down to 1 puff inbthe morning.
I was prescribed Seretide Evohaler after my previous inhaler stopped working for me. I have been on this inhaler for a very long time, with very little problems. I was changed to a different inhaler earlier this year and I got severe palpitations and felt generally unwell. My G.P. did not know why I had a change of inhaler and had a word with the Pharmacist to make sure I stayed on an inhaler that works for me. I have Salbutamol as well but rarely need to use it. I keep physically fit and eat a healthy diet.
I was changed from seritide 250 to Fostair unfortunately the asthma nurse changed me to a propellant type instead of like for like dry powder which affected my asthma quite badly and wasn’t picked up until I was sent to see a consultant.The propellant type even used with a spacer made me cough so apparently I was losing a lot of the steroid through coughing .I’m now on the Fostair next inhaler and the coughing as stopped so might be worth checking out x
I have been on Seretide for many years and I have had no side effects, I take 2 puffs 10:00 in the morning and two puffs10:00 in the evening, bearing mind Seretide is a preventer, I also take Ventolin when necessary.
Thanks for your reply. I asked about Seretide but the asthma nurse told me they had been advised to cut down on issuing it as a) it had been overprescribed in the past and b) there were concerns about inhalers with CFC propellants. So I was given Symbicort instead, and so far it isn't going too badly.
if you are on the powder inhaler then you are probably reacting to the lactose powder in the inhaler - I had this and it diagnosed my lactose intolerance. I now use Seretide in a traditional gas inhaler and the coughing has gone.
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