Fostair - LABA component

[1Molly2006]

Hello

Has anyone had problems with the Formoterol in Fostair MART therapy (100/6) x 1-2 puffs x 2 daily. I was changed over to this in August last year as was not fully controlled on Clenil/SABA. When I started it i had a mucus cough and was reviewed a month later and put on A/Bios as it was considered a chest infection. It seemed to clear up.

Fostair improved my asthma slightly (already on montelukast). Had an awful attack end of October and had to go to UTC and gave me Orals steroids. Calmed it down a bit and went back to GP to say not happy with Fostair - i was basically fobbed of and told i was not compliant - not true as i am a really compliant patient. I was still ill 6 weeks later and had to see an emergency GP who said i had residual bronchitis and gave me another dose of OS and antibiotics. This cleared up and then mid january started coughing again and ended up having another attack. I am now on oral steroids again as had to see another emergency GP. On day 4 O/S and still a bit wheezy.

Basically i have never had some many attacks since I was put on Fostair and looking at side effects of formoterol i can see it causes wheezing and mucus induced cough in some people which will only irritate asthma. This can be the only explanation and just wondered if anyone had my experience?

I have moved recently and managed to get to book to see the asthma nurse in the new practice in one week. As I felt better on my previous regime before i took Fostair, I have decided to go back to that until i see the nurse as i just can't function day to day on Fostair, Since i started it I have had 3 sets of oral steroids and 2 sets of antibiotics in 5 months! I have never been like that in 35 years as an asthmatic - and probably only had 2 sets of oral steroids in the previous 5 years. Just seems odd my asthma has got worse since i was put on it.

Thanks.

[Homely2 Administrator]

Fostair took me a month to settle down with after moving on from clenil. However I had nowhere near the problems that you had.

There are lots of alternatives, you just need an asthma nurse who will discuss them all with you and let you trial them out.

Some people hate the normal fostair inhaler but like the dry powder inhaler, some vice versa. Some just prefer a different product

Has the gp referred you to a consultant, you should not just be going on an off oral steroids. If the gp hasn't, why not.

Ring an asthma UK nurse before your next appointment so you can get an idea of what you are asking for. It is often nicer to have time to think about things than get rushed at an appointment.

[1Molly2006 in reply to Homely2]

Thanks! yes intend to call the helpline tomorrow. I should mention I am on the NextHaler so the LABA/ICS combo dry powder.

[Poobah]

We're all different and what works well for one patient, doesn't necessarily work for another. I didn't do at all well on Symbicort and the more I took, the worse my symptoms became.

Your care team should at least allow you to trial a different inhaler, including your previous inhaler, in order to establish if that helps or not. Then review your progress roughly 8 weeks later.

I know when the stand alone LABA inhalers came out first, without steroids, I had terrible asthma symptoms but my GP wouldn't accept it was the new inhaler (Serevent). Fortunately, I had a consultant appointment due and they were happy for me to return to my old inhalers. I felt better in days.

Hope your appointment goes well.

[Jonn54]

Morning molly

Strange you should mention fostair.

I've now been on 200/6 inhaler this is the 3rd month and I rattle and cough all day everyday and struggle too sleep due to wheezing .my asthma is really bad at mo aswell .

I can't say my breathing is worse as its really bad anyway,I think I will give asthma nurse a call.

[Balls01 in reply to Jonn54]

Morning, I've was changed to Fostair 200/6 in December and although initially it helped (10days) I've since had tightness and woken at night with it a lot. I'm now on my 2nd course of steroids.

Think I shall be mentioning what others have said at my appointment this afternoon.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I agree with Poobah that you ought to be able to have a sensible discussion about this and look at other options.

Is your Fostair dry powder or the spray version? I think some people don't react well to the propellant or the other stuff in dry powder, so it could be something like that, rather than the actual medication? Something to bear in mind if you do try an inhaler with salmeterol or another long-acting reliever and have similar problems.

It might be worth giving the asthma nurses a call on the helpline before your appointment, as they can chat through options and you can then take those to the asthma nurse at your surgery: 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp [phone] Monday-Friday 0915-5pm

[Frowler]

I had immediate problems with the Fostair dry powder - swelling and cracking tongue and requested and got he pump style dispenser which works without the side effects. I had moved on from Symbicort - and have realised since using the pump style inhaler that this had also been causing problems with my lips swelling and being sore (although the onset of this issue was much slower and so I had put it down to the menopause). I was also more wheezy, had more mucas and felt less controlled on the dry powder and am now so much better on the pump inhaler. I will be extremely cautious if precribed powder inhalers in future. Something to consider....