My husband has been changed from Fostair to Luforbec by the GP. Presumably to save costs. They are supposed to be similar. He seems so much more wheezy awaking at night, coughing, since changing over the last five days. We are to get on to GP tomorrow. Just wondering if anyone else has had the same problem .
Thanks.
I have a Fostair 200/6 which is a Fostair but I have a 100/6 as a “top up.” Initially this was a Fostair but a couple of months ago this was changed to a Luforbec. It looks same shape wise but somehow I didn’t feel I was taking it right almost as if I couldn’t get a proper seal on it. I asked the pharmacist if next prescription could I have the Fostair instead. He said that the 100/6 weren’t available at the moment.
I have got round it by always using a spacer with it.
Apparently, both Fostair and Luforbec contain the same active ingredients and propellant. But Luforbec is around £8.80 cheaper, hence the swap from Fostair.
I'm skeptical when generic meds are asserted to be exactly the same, and yet the experience is different. One can't argue with the patient's actual experience.
Definitely say that your husband's asthma symptoms have flared and the swap has proved a bad experience. I would also take peak flow measurements prior to taking the inhaler and again 20/30 minutes later. This may illustrate any bad reaction to your GP and it will be difficult for the GP to argue with PF proof of poor tolerance to the new inhaler.
I used to take the luforbec but didn’t find it was working at all, making me wheezy and not providing relief and I also had an extreme raised heart race. I then switched to Fostair and was provided with immediate relief. Confused as they’re supposed to have the same ingredients!
They will have the same ingredients but they won't be made the same way, original patents for drugs have 15 years to develop there processes before anyone can copy them but there only allowed to know the ingredients, So there processes would be the same. The best way to explain it, if I was making a cup of tea vs you making a cup of tea the likelihood is even though were using the same ingredients, they would taste completely different and have a different effect, I hope this helps
I am having the same problem since going from foxtail to luberfunk.makes my breathing worse going to go back to fostair
I have been using Luforbec for one week. Previously on Fostair. I’m coughing again day and night, and getting breathless. They say it’s the same Ingredients, but doesn’t seem to ha e the same umph!!
I've only used mine for 2 days, and my breathing is definitely worse too, and I've got a really painful tongue 😦
Just been switched to Luforbec and Im experiencing the same issues.
I'm so glad I read everyone's messages I've been put on Luforbec it's been 3 days only 3 & im having trouble breathing & when I use it it makes me cough absolute disaster !!
My prescription was changed from fostair to luforbec on the 5th July, I have been coughing a lot and been breathless, I was that bad last week I went to the doctors who said it was an asthma flairup, he gave me a course of steroids which have made no difference. It is now 12.45 and I have had to get out of bed because when I lie down I start coughing and wheezing. I will not be taking any further doses of luforbec and will try to get in touch with the doctors tomorrow to see if they will put me back on fostair.
It's a real problem for loads of people, isn't it? Good luck with your doctor. My hubby was changed back to Fostair and immediately improved!
I'm on Bibecfo, which is another alternative to Fostair, but much cheaper for the NHS.It's only been a couple of weeks, but seems fine so far.
It’s more to do with environment and ecg and quotas than actual benefits to sufferers. Nobody I know who had their prescription(s) switched; without consent may I add-has reported a positive result. It’s a disgrace when you think about it and the following effects. The fact we pay so much just renders it obscene!!
I too was switched to Luforbec from Fostair and have been very poorly I never linked it to the change at first and have had an awful cough for months When I take the Luforbec I can't get it down it triggers a coughing fit and irritated my throat
I have visited the doc today and asked to have Fostair back as the penny had started to drop that I had been poorly since the inhaler swap but had been been fit as a fiddle before
The doc agreed Luforbec did not agree with me and thankfully changed me back
My cough has calmed a little already
I think they are having lots of complaints about the change as I did not have to put up any fight they just did it
I can't believe all my weeks of suffering were just to save a few quid for the NHS and by looking here I'm not the only one
yeah I have the same issue - it makes me cough and the GP doesn't believe me. They are convinced its because I don't use a spacer but I do - all the time! I am still putting up a fight even though Ive been assured I wont be switched over again. Glad you managed to get it sorted though !
My GP has now tried multiple times to issue me Luforbec. First time was about 8 months ago and they insisted it was the same; I coughed every time I took it even when using a spacer and my breathing really suffered. I spoke to the GP about it and they assured me they would keep me on the Fostair even though it was more expensive. I emailed over two weeks ago for a new prescription and turned up at the Pharmacy today to find out I have been issued Luforbec again. I instantly called the GP who again tried to tell me my experience was somehow wrong and that they are the same...... THEY ARE NOT THE SAME! They may have the same drugs but they do not work in the same way. Sorry to hear that a year later and all these personal experiences they are still trying to push this drug on us.
I'm relieved to see this thread. I also recently switched to lubofec after being on fostair for years and feel worse for it. On fostair I could exercise, go on lengthy bike rides etc but since being on lubofec my asthma is not under control. I'm making an appointment to get changed back to fostair asap
The exact formulation can easily differ, which can hugely alter how effective it is.
“Luforbec is not the same as Fostair, but they share some similarities. Both medications are inhalers used for the treatment of asthma, and they contain a combination of two active ingredients: a corticosteroid (beclometasone dipropionate) and a long-acting beta-agonist (formoterol fumarate). The specific formulation and dosage may vary between the two medications, and they may have differences in terms of available strengths and delivery devices.”
This is from this website ukmeds.co.uk/blog/guide-to-...
Really thankful for this thread. My doctor agreed to change me back to fostair from lubofec earlier and already I am starting to feel better.
Dizziness with Fostair?
Fostair excessive use maybe? 
Fostair vs symbicort 
Fostair makes me cough
Fostair and throat/voice irritation
