Dry Powder Inhaler

[Homely2]

I have rather out of control asthma at present. My asthma nurse has suggested I switch my fostair 100 to the dry powder version of fostair.Is this a good idea, I could not quite follow the nurses reason for the change.

[lakelover]

I prefer dry powder inhalers because the aerosol gas affects my asthma badly.

[eleanordigby in reply to lakelover]

How different we all are! I can’t tolerate powder inhalers at any price, they cause instant bronchospasm. Homely why don’t you ring the helpline and chat it through? Sometimes people we talk to at the surgery rattle through this stuff, which is clear as day to them but we need time to process new information!

[Ern007 in reply to lakelover]

Not keen on dry powder, they make me dry - I have to have powder of a morning but would prefer different.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I wonder if it's because the powder version of Fostair has 'ultrafine' particles and is meant to get more medication into the lungs? EDIT: apparently both the aerosol/metered dose (MDI) version have the ultrafine particles, apologies, should have checked that before!

It may also be easier to take - for some people anyway, I know it's very individual. I am on Fostair dry powder (Nexthaler) and like it but I'd never want a dry powder reliever as I don't get on with those - much prefer the aerosol one with a spacer.

I agree with eleanordigby - call the helpline and chat through with them. They may have some other suggestions as well to help bring things under control. 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp [phone] Monday-Friday 0915-5pm

[Homely2 Administrator in reply to Lysistrata]

You are right that it may be because it is easier to take. The hospital asthma nurse was relatively critical about how I used my inhaler and spent some time trying to improve my technique, maybe she had concluded that I was a hopeless case.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Homely2]

The medication should be working for you, not the other way round. If you can't use the one you have so it works for you, it makes sense to find one that does work for you. Though are you using a spacer with the one you currently have? That makes it a lot easier to take.

Also I just had to correct what I posted above: all Fostair, aerosol and powder, has ultrafine particles, not just the powder one!

[Purpleotter in reply to Lysistrata]

I have Fostair, and find no problem if I use it with an aerochamber (spacer)

[Aldersey in reply to Lysistrata]

It is probably because the powder inhaler has twice the dose of steroid hence 200 and aerosol is 100 but same amount of preventer I think in both.

[Hidden in reply to Aldersey]

Not so. The dry powder inhaler comes in both strengths as does the aerosol.

[Skaaa]

I have been switched from symbicort to fostiar but I feal it make me shakky

[Homely2 Administrator]

Fostair is lovely for me, but I took a month to settle down with it.

[Giraffe91]

I have it and it’s great. It’s a different sensation to traditional inhalers but it does work!

I really like it because it’s maintenance free, works till the last puff and doesn’t need a spacer. Less to lug about It’s not good to get them wet, something I’ve been worried about but you really have to drown them fir it to be a problem.

I always tap mine to ensure the powder is in the right place. I have occasionally had puffs with nothing in it but that’s usually when it’s been bouncing around in my bag. A tap on a table sorts it.

[CraftyLego]

I'm going through exactly the same thing but with Fostair 200. I'm still unsure as it needs a fast deep inhale and I'm worried that if I have an exasperation that I won't be able to. Otherwise so far it seems simple.

[Logo132]

I’m on the dry powder one. I requested it because I found the aerosol fostair very poorly made and unreliable and I wasn’t always getting a proper dose. At least I know with the powder I’m getting the dose. Obviously it’s personal preference and you need to be able to have the lung power to take a deep inhale of the powder.

[watergazer]

hi. I’m on fostairnexthaler 100/6 2 puffs twice a day. Apparently the particles get deeper down into the lungs A respiratory dr changed me to this after having a really bad do for a few months. I can’t do the aerosol ones properly. Take care. You could give it a few weeks but in the meantime if you feel worse get back in touch with the doctor. Xx

[Jaffa_Cat]

I was changed to the dry powder version of Fostair by a nurse at The Royal Brompton when my asthma was really uncontrolled. Their thinking was that the aerosol was triggering my coughing a lot more because my airway was so sensitive. A combination of changing to the dry powder and being put on prophylactic antibiotics definitely made a difference. I'd personally say it's worth a try, but obviously if you don't notice any difference/you find yourself getting worse, get back in touch with them and ask for further advice