Fostair - switch from aerosol inhaler to NEXThaler dry powder inhaler

[Starlight1987]

Gp wants to switch me from the regular aerosol 100/6 inhaler to the dry powder inhaler (NEXThaler). What is everyone’s experience with the nexthaler? Did you find it good or bad?

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I've never been on the aerosol version of Fostair, but I am on the Nexthaler and I used to be on Symbicort which is also dry powder but an older style.

I much prefer the Fostair dry powder to Symbicort - it feels easier to get in even when my lungs aren't happy. Obviously, you can't use a spacer with it as you may have done with the aerosol version, so make sure to rinse out your mouth after you use it to avoid thrush (no problems for me as long as I do that and I'm on 200/6 2 puffs twice a day).

If you're not sure how to use the new inhaler, ask the pharmacist when you collect it to show you how.

I would hope if you get on ok with Fostair MDI (the aerosol) you should be ok with the dry powder - but if you're struggling after a decent trial then go back to your GP or asthma nurse. Maybe give it a couple of months unless you notice a huge difference and your asthma becomes uncontrolled for any reason - in which case you should be seeing your GP or asthma nurse anyway regardless of the reason.

It's important you have the best inhaler that works to control *your* asthma, and that may not be what works for someone else.

And if the change was made for environmental reasons, you can give it a go but that should never, ever be considered more important than what's best for your asthma.

[Starlight1987 in reply to Lysistrata]

Thank you

[lakelover]

I am much better on dry powder inhalers than aerosol ones. My body seems to object to the propellent in them & everything goes downhill. However I know that other people prefer the aerosol kind. Did the GP say why he wanted you to change?

[Starlight1987 in reply to lakelover]

Something to do with helping the environment and less gases. And less plastic waste due to not needing spacer. They also said they want everyone on Luforbec instead of Fostair aerosol as it’s cheaper.

[Simi55 in reply to Starlight1987]

I got switched from Fostair 100/6 to Luforbec for some reason, I was not asked first, just switched. It made me cough immediately after taking a puff tried for a month or two but still the same and asthma / chesty cough became worse so went to Asthma nurse and she swapped me back to Fostair. It has the same drugs but there is something different and it did not go down well with me, Fostair is dearer but far better and the aerosol dispenser / counter is far better on the Fostair.

[AmySm25 in reply to Simi55]

I’m the same. I couldn’t take the Luforbec without coughing but the asthma nurse couldn’t prescribe the fostair aerosol anymore so I’ve been on the powdered one for about a month and it’s been great

[Simi55 in reply to AmySm25]

Really... my Asthma nurse said Pharmacist or Pharmacy had changed it but when I told her how it was affecting me she specified Fostair, as she said " Whatever treats you better is what you need" I have not tried Powered of any type. So are you on fostair powered or luforbec powdered?

[AmySm25 in reply to Simi55]

Apparently in my local area the forstair aerosol can’t be ordered. It’s all very worrying eh

[Petetriplet in reply to AmySm25]

AmySm25,

It is my understanding that the BIG Parmacies ( suppliers ) have a BIG say I. What is prescribed. Some people can have it prescribed others cannot - as evidenced in these comments.

Always worth persuing if you need to

[Poobah]

Fostair NEXThaler is a very good design and I find it very easy to use. Just watch a demonstration on YouTube to get the technique right and you should enjoy good medication delivery. Rinse your mouth well after use, brush and gargle is possible.

[Mons]

I am using Fostair 200/6 twice a day. When I was initially diagnosed with asthma I tried numerous inhalers none of which helped a great deal. The Fostair works very well for me, but did take a little while to “kick in”. I hope you find the Fostair works well too.

[Lilly_the_unicorn]

It’s better for the environment, I was put onto the Nexthaler and after about 2 months I noticed a decline in my asthma control so the nurse switched me back to Fostair MDI. The Nexthaler is easy to use and I think more convenient than carting the MDI and spacer around as I am on MART.

Everyone is different, so I am always happy to have a go as I know I can always be switched back if needed.

[Msccruises]

The nexthaler works very well for me. I wash my mouth out with water and a little bicarb afterwards

[JazzySalmon]

For me all dry powder inhalers make my asthma worse. I'm very sensitive to inhaled particles in general and I'm left with an unpleasant "gravel" feeling in my lungs. My GP tried me on several of them and I began to despair that I'd ever be able to control my asthma. Eventually I was prescribed the Fostair aerosol and it was like magic! No powder inhalers for me again.

If you've never tried a powder inhaler before, and your asthma is currently well controlled, there's no reason not to try it. Plenty of people get on with them really well.