fostair 100/6 how long until you noticed an improvement?

[Nattycake]

HelloI have been switched from clenil to Fostair following a chest infection. I am still wheezing with a cough and coughing up mucus. Also started on montelukast a week ago. Just wondering if anyone has any experience of how long it can be before I can expect some improvement? Thanks 😊

[andy121]

It usually takes 8 weeks for a new preventer to kick in properly, but you should get some relief from the reliever element straight away. The montelukast I found took a week or 2. Also it can take awhile to get over an infection, last time I had one it took 4 months or more my doctor gave me steroids to take while my new preventer had a chance to kick in. Maybe speak with your GP or the asthma uk helpline if you’re worried. I hope this helps and you feel better soon

[Nattycake in reply to andy121]

Thank you very much 😊 I've had a course of preds and antibiotics and its not as bad as it was but still lingering and slight wheeze. Sounds like I just need to be patient!

[greyguide]

hi,

Tldr; stick with it for a few weeks. Talk to asthma nurse / gp if no improvement or worried.

I remember transitioning as you have, and wasn’t overwhelmed with the initial improvement, however it did happen slowly over a couple of months.

Since then I’ve tried periods without montelukast, as I wasn’t sure it was actually benefiting, but during a cold was shocked at the quantity of mucus, so quickly returned to it, as it definitely reduces that for me.

I still suffer with tight lungs and mucus on Fostair 100/6, but this is now mainly during nasty colds, when I’ve been advised to increase the daily amount from the prescribed 1 or 2 twice daily up closer to max dosage.

[Nattycake in reply to greyguide]

Thank you 😊 I will give it more time

[Homely2 Administrator]

Took me a couple of months. I liked clenil and it radically helped me, nearly doubling my peak flow, but it could not cope as my asthma deteriorated.

[Nattycake in reply to Homely2]

Thank you. I was on clenil for the last 5 years from diagnosis so I've been apprehensive about the change!

[MarmiteMalice]

I take peak flow readings morning and evening. If I hadn’t been, I’m not sure I would have subjectively noticed much of an improvement when I switched from Qvar to Fostair and then Montelukast was added in. I took 28 days of Montelukast then stopped as I didn’t realise it could be a longer term medication and it wasn’t on repeat. When I stopped taking it my peak flow readings started going down, so we added it back in and my readings rallied.

[Nattycake in reply to MarmiteMalice]

Thank you for your reply. At the moment I'm not really seeing any benefits from the montelukast but it's only been two weeks I suppose time will tell

[Patk1]

I'd give it time as aftereffects of exacerbation can take time to settle x

[Nattycake in reply to Patk1]

Thank you. I am hoping it is just time that is needed 😊

[Ern007]

Hi, Sounds like you are suffering from the effects of your chest infection.

Fostair is a preventative not a reliever like ventolin. If you are coughing up more mucus you could need antibiotics and maybe Prednisolone. Maybe see your GP.

Fostair takes time to work fully, so you won't get any immediate affects. I was on Seretide and was quite happy with it, but was changed to Fostair, not seen any real difference. Seems to work ok.

[Nattycake in reply to Ern007]

Thank you for your reply. I have had a course of steroids and amoxicillin. Although I am much better in regards to my chest i am still having lingering symptoms

[Patk1 in reply to Nattycake]

Soz if I've asked before - do u do lung clearance x

[Nattycake in reply to Patk1]

No never done this x