Fostair

[Thail]

I am in my 70s was diagnosed in early July with Asthma. Initially on Clenil preventer which didn't help. Been taking Fostair Nexthaler since late August it's helping but still using Ventolin 2-3 times a week. How long does Forstair take to be fully effective?

[Homely2 Administrator]

It took me a couple of months to fully settle with fostair, but it did not get rid of my need for ventolin totally.

Give it another couple of weeks and if you are not happy ask if you can experiment with how you take fostair. There is fostair 100 and fostair 200, there is dry powder and standard inhaler. So lots of variations.

I personally like fostair 100 mart best, where I take up to eight doses a day, with a minimum of two, and am not ameant to be taking ventolin routinely.

Also make sure that you doing the basics properly, keep dust levels down, wash bedding at 60c regularly. Keep a diary as to when you have attacks and see if you can work out what is triggering them. Go through the asthma UK website and build your knowledge up.

[Thail in reply to Homely2]

Thank you that's reassured me a lot - I think I was hoping for a miracle cure, must just learn to be patient. I'm taking the 100/6 powder inhaler. Will keep plodding on.

[Mandevilla in reply to Thail]

It does take a while to find the medication that works best for you - I agree with Homely2 that if it hasn't settled down within another couple of weeks, it would be worth going back and asking for a review. It took me about a year to get sorted, but I now usually only need Ventolin every couple of weeks.

[Thail in reply to Mandevilla]

Thank you I'm very new to this condition and just trying to work out what's going on. Thanks for your advice.

[Mons in reply to Homely2]

Took a couple of months for the Fostair 200 to work its magic. I do have Ventolin to use alongside the Fostair when needed. I find the combination works for me. I don’t need to use the Ventolin much but it is there if needed. I hope it works for you as it has been a game changer for me once it “kicked in”.

[Poobah]

Asthma differs from person to person and so we each have to work with our asthma nurse/doctor to figure out what the most effective medications and doses are.

Fostair will take at least a couple of months to be fully effective and if you're not satisfied with having to take Ventolin every week, it's definitely worth going back to your nurse/doctor to see if you can increase your dose of Fostair for a period of a few weeks to see if things improve. Then chat with them on how things are going and if you're happy or want to try something else. Always give medications time to work, unless you feel they're making things worse.

Never hesitate in contacting your GP if your symptoms become worse, early intervention and additional asthma treatment are always recommended. It's not unusual for a cold or other virus to affect asthma and sometimes we need additional treatment in the short term.

The aim is definitely to be in a position where you rarely take Ventolin, but it's a good idea to always have if to hand, just in case it's needed for a flare up or unexpected symptoms.

And the Asthma UK nurses are very helpful if you want to talk things through about your personal experience of asthma and asthma treatment. They're available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, on 0300 222 5800. Sometimes a chat is easier.

All the best.

[lakelover]

Also be aware that some people are better with dry powder inhalers & some are better with the aerosol type.

[Poobah in reply to lakelover]

You're so right! Some people do better with an aerosol plus spacer. Something to discuss with the asthma nurse. Technique is so important and these spacers definitely help deliver inhaled medication.

[peege]

Mine was fully effective at about 4 weeks. Double check the leaflet.

I take Fostair mdi (the spray type) MART 100/6, 2 puffs night and morning and when I need extra which is only during exacerbation or infection. I find it marvellous and very rarely need ventolin. The MART regime suits me very well, however, we're all different.

Keep at it, find a demonstration on youtube to check your technique for your particular inhalers, its pretty important to take correctly.

The Nexthaler is powder isn't it? If so, do rinse & gargle after using.

[Troilus]

Hi Thail.I was diagnosed when I was 63. I started on Fostair 100/6 early March and was upped to 200/6 in the April. My peak flows when steadily up, reaching near normal by the June.

[Aquariel]

It never did for me but I'm told my asthma is unfathomable.

[JezB]

Fostair in my experience should only take a few days or a week tops to make a difference. Did with me.