Serevent

[ewusia28]

Hi. My doctor changed my inhaler from Atimos modulite to Serevent. I've been using it for two days. My question is how long do you have to use serevent for it to take full effect? Have any of you had experience with this inhaler? Thank you for all your replies.

[GintyFerguson]

Hi, I used serevent for years. I believe its like a long acting ventolin but I also had ventolin if needed . I honestly can't remember how long it took to act but was taken off it and becloforte and spiriva a couple of years ago. Now I have Fostair and Incruse only which seem to work well. I do have bronchiectasis and asthma. If I were you and not finding an inhaler effective, I'd ring the asthma nurse for advice or speak to a pharmacist. Good luck.

[ewusia28 in reply to GintyFerguson]

Hi.Thank you for your response. I don't think serevent works for me because I feel short of breath all the time. Can you tell me what dose you take Fostair? Thank you

[GintyFerguson in reply to ewusia28]

I take 300 mcg morning and night. That's a steroid inhaler . I have ventolin if needed. As mentioned, I also take Incruse .

[RABS1957 in reply to ewusia28]

try and ask for symbicort 200,6 none gas turbo inhaler you have to suck it in works great for me no more blue or other inhalers now I smoke for over45yrs have no cough now or shortness of breath take 2 inhales morning 2 at night

[Gareth57]

I used Serevent some years ago as an add-on to Qvar, but after a few years I was changed to Fostair 100/6, I don't remember how long it took to have full effect but I do remember it was quite good.

[Poobah]

Your previous inhaler was a long acting bronchodilator medication called formoterol, whereas the new inhaler has a long acting bronchodilator medication called salmeterol. Both are immediate bronchodilators, probably taking 30 minutes to kick in, and lasting around 12 hours. So it's not like a steroid inhaler that takes up to 8 weeks to see full results. If you're experiencing a worsening of your asthma symptoms, you need to talk to your doctor either today or tomorrow. Even though the inhalers are from the same family of meds, it can happen that one suits you better than the other.

[ewusia28 in reply to Poobah]

Hi.Thank you for your response. My doctor says he can't change my inhaler to another one because only a specialist can do it, and the asthma nurse says I've already tried a lot of different inhalers and there's nothing he can do. I have an appointment with a specialist in three months. I'm still short of breath, I need a lot of ventolin.

[Poobah in reply to ewusia28]

Looking back at your previous posts I can see that you had covid and have tried a variety of inhalers and Montelukast, as well as having multiple courses of Prednisolone. Your doctor should have referred you to a respiratory specialist by now and they can take more time to assess what's going on, run tests and prescribe more targeted treatment.

I assume you didn't get a referral to a long covid clinic? Even if your GP isn't willing to do that, you should be under the care of a specialist for respiratory disease.

[risabel59]

Hello Ewusia,

Sorry to hear about your woes. I don't know if you are in the UK or not. But it is very unusual to be prescribed a long acting bronchodilator without a steroid inhaler as well. Both the inhalers you mention are Long acting bronchodilators. I obviously don't know what other medication you are using or your asthma history. But from studies done, using a LABA on its own without a steroid inhaler or other anti-inflamatories puts you at risk of a major asthma episode. I think that you need to get another opinion. If you are in the UK do call the asthma lung uk nurses help line.

A LABA does not treat the underlying inflamation in asthma, it only treats the symptoms. They are important part of asthma treatment, but generally not used as stand alone medicine for asthma.

Do take care, get help if your symptoms get worse.

Cheers

R

[ewusia28 in reply to risabel59]

Hi Thank you for your response. I also take Flixotide 250 twice a day, 2 doses.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi, just wondering what other inhalers you take alongside Serevent/what you used to take alongside the Atimos Modulite? Both these inhalers need to be taken with a steroid inhaler for people with asthma (it's a bit different for COPD). They shouldn't be used on their own as then you have nothing to deal with the inflammation in your airways.

As Poobah has said, Serevent should work pretty much straight away, unlike steroid inhalers which take a while.

If you just have this and Ventolin then you need to be going back asap to discuss with your GP/asthma nurse. It's all very well saying only a specialist can change your inhalers. I see you've been referred to a specialist, which makes sense if you're struggling after trying a lot of inhalers (assuming you've given them a good trial of at least 6-8 weeks each for inhaler steroids). But you also need something meanwhile that isn't just a long-acting reliever by itself.

If you haven't already, I'd suggest you call the asthma nurses on the helpline to chat through your options at this stage and how to approach your GP for what they can do while you wait for the specialist: 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp on 07999 377 775 Monday-Friday 0915-5pm

[ewusia28 in reply to Lysistrata]

Hi. Thank you for your response. I also take Flixotide 250 twice a day, 2 doses.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to ewusia28]

Ah I see. Have you tried Seretide? That's Flixotide and Serevent combined as one inhaler - it can work well for some people but not everyone.