Luforbec COPD

[Cinders1959]

I have been on this inhaler for 4 weeks now after being on Fostair for nearly 4 years without any problems but like many others was moved to Luforbec, apparently mainly because of cost. Since using it my episodes breathlessness has been a huge problem and I’ve got the most awful indigestion all the time. Been told by GP to persevere for a few more weeks but honestly don’t think I can. I am all for saving the NHS money but surely people’s wellbeing should come first. Has anyone else with COPD had or is current having the same problem? Thanks everyone.

[Poobah]

You're not the first to ask about this. This is in a very similar vein.

healthunlocked.com/asthmalu...

I would definitely start taking your peakflow daily and ask your GP to then have a trial of Fostair in order to see if your peak flow improves. If it does improve I can't see your GP being able to argue that Fostair is the better treatment.

Good luck!

[Cinders1959 in reply to Poobah]

Thanks for this. I was on Fostair before with no problems. I am now fighting with the NHS to go back to it.

[Danielmystar]

Can't understand why your not feeling the change in inhalers you've been on the new one 4 weeks you know your own body 4 weeks is more than long enough id go back to your doctors how can any doctor expect you to wait longer if the new inhaler was going to work it should of kicked in within a few days not weeks your the one with breathing problems not the doctor go back to doctor insist you get back your other inhaler or a differant one than the one your trying you've been on it long enough you know your body mite than the doctor .

[Headoverheels]

I do not have COPD but to change your inhaler when you are happy with the one you were using is totally unfair. You must go back to your doctor...or is there another doctor in your practice? You are talking about your quality of life.

Also ask for some meds for your acid reflux. Good luck.

[DannyQ]

My Doctors tried to put me on luforbec as I was on fostair as well, which has been a game changer for me, but I said there was no chance I was using a generic just to save them £8 a device, generic may have the same ingredients but they won't be made the same way. So they backed down and changed me back to fostair so I would go back to your doctors explain that you want to go back on to fostair and they should put you back on

[Cinders1959 in reply to DannyQ]

Thanks very much. If it is supposed to be the same ingredients then why is it making so many people have such a bad reaction to it. I will keep trying. Take care

[DannyQ in reply to Cinders1959]

The best way I can explain it is when you make a cup of we will have the same ingredients but the will both taste different because of how we both make our cups of tea

[BigBawsTam in reply to Cinders1959]

Cinders - I don't think they say ALL ingredients are the same. The blurb I've read says the "active ingredients" are the same. The analogy I would make is that the "active ingredients" of a car is an engine and fuel - yet I think most people would prefer a Rolls Royce to a Lada.😀

[Cinders1959 in reply to BigBawsTam]

I am back on Fostair now like many other people who couldn’t get on with Luforec. I know what you mean about the ingredients but they did this with another medication a couple of years ago and ended up changing it back to the original as the replacement literally made me sick.

[BigBawsTam in reply to Cinders1959]

Yeah, the reason I'm interested is that I have COPD and having been using Fostair for over 2 years. Only 2 days ago I received an unsigned letter from "Practise Pharmacy Team" (NB - Not a doctor) saying Fostair was being replaced with Luforbec.

Only reason given was "making best use of NHS resources" (NB - not saying Luforbec was CHEAPER - but it is). I read all the blurb on both. Fostair blurb mentions Asthma AND COPD. Luforbec blurb mentions Asthma ONLY. Needless to say, I do not wish to change to an inferior product - whether or not the active ingredients are the same.

I intend to follow this up this coming week and will let you know how I get on.

I'm glad you got changed back to Fostair and I sincerely hope you're keeping well now.

[Cinders1959 in reply to BigBawsTam]

My GP surgery has had to change loads of patients back to Fostair. If Luforbec doesn’t work out for you, then demand to be changed back to Fostair. I am currently suffering from Covid but fingers crossed it’s not affecting my COPD too badly.

Let me know how you get on and take care.

[BigBawsTam in reply to Cinders1959]

Cinders - I'm pleased to report that after consulting my pharmacist, he told me to see the GP practise. I got an appt. with a doctor the day before my Fostair supply ran out - and, armed with the contents of this thread on this forum, and also the info online from the makers of Luforbec and Fostair (NB - Luforbec bumpf didn't mention COPD, only Asthma; whereas Fostair bumpf did mention COPD as well as asthma) I went prepared for a "fight" to argue my case. However, after a discussion with GP, she said the Head Practise manager would phone to arrange an appt. with her. Instead, later that day I received a tcall from the Practise Pharmacist to say an "Urgent" prescription was issued to the Community Pharmacist to retain the Luforbec and issue me with Fostair instead. I'm so pleased with this result and glad I read your posts on this Forum. Thank You very much!👍😅

[Cinders1959 in reply to BigBawsTam]

That’s awesome. I’m so pleased for you. Bit sad that even though we know what works better for us, we have had to fight to get it. Take care and all the best for the future. Linda ❤️

[Maya_227]

I've just been informed my next inhaler will be Luforbec. I am worried I will experience the same problem as switching to Fostair 2 years ago was literally life changing for me.

[Cinders1959 in reply to Maya_227]

Please let me know how you get on with it. It may be that it’s fine for you.

[BigBawsTam in reply to Maya_227]

Maya - Persist in insisting you receive Fostair - especially if you suffer from COPD and not Asthma. I suffer COPD and was successful in getting the medical/pharmaceutical staff to reverse their initial decision to change me to Luforbec from Fostair. I'm now still on Fostair.

[Scrumpyman]

I have had nothing but problems since be switched to Luforbec. I have requested to go back with Fostair awaiting the outcome.

[Poobah in reply to Scrumpyman]

Keep us posted and good luck!

[Cinders1959 in reply to Scrumpyman]

After discussing with my respiratory nurse, I have now been moved to a new recently NICE approved triple therapy inhaler called Trixeo which is supposed to be a game changer for people with COPD. Only been using it for a couple of days but so far so good. If it doesn’t improve my symptoms within six weeks then it has been agreed that I will be able to have Fostair again.

[DannyQ]

I hope everything goes well with Trixeo, as theres nothing worse than struggling with bad breathing

[Cinders1959 in reply to DannyQ]

Thanks. Sometimes if you can’t breath properly it feels like you’re drowning. A lot of people just don’t understand.

[DannyQ]

Yeah I know what you mean with having asthma attacks, in the past thankfully. Again all the best, you'll get there

[Bremar]

I've only just found this forum having been looking for reviews of Luforbec. I was changed over to this a couple of months ago from Fostaire and I can see that I am not the only one experiencing problems with it. This is the second change I've had, the first being Trimbow which caused huge problems. Now I am having the same problems with Luforbec. The other thing I have noticed is that whatever the propellant is that they use it isn't working. So far I have 'lost' two weeks worth of medication because the propellant isn't working.

[Cinders1959 in reply to Bremar]

You have the right to go back to Fostair as I have now. Trixeo didn’t work for me either. You just have to be persistent with your GP. Apparently loads of people have had to be changed back to Fostair as they cannot get on with the alternatives.

[Bremar]

Thank you for replying to me. I will be calling the surgery later today to to speak to one of the doctors about this - hopefully. The pharmacist I use has already told me that he has had a lot of complaints about Luforbec and I will be joining that long list. When I wanted to change from the Trimbow they were reluctant but did change it back to Fostaire, within 24 hours I was back to being as normal as I would ever be. Change isn't always for the better is it?

[Cinders1959 in reply to Bremar]

Definitely not. Please let me know how you get on. Don’t take No for an answer. Good luck.

[Bremar in reply to Cinders1959]

I'm waiting for a call back from the surgery now, fingers crossed.

[Bremar]

Good morning, just a quickie to let you know that I have spoken to the doctor and I am back on Fostaire as from today. He agreed that the Luforbec didn't suit me without any fuss and I will go and collect it today. What a relief and thanks for your support.

[Cinders1959 in reply to Bremar]

That’s brilliant news. I think that a lot of GP’s are starting to realise that there really is no replacement for Fostair. All the best,