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.