Fostair 200/6 vs Symbicort Inhaler

[goodmask1]

Hi everyone.

I have been taking Fostair 200/6 for my severe asthma for a number of years. Due to a frustration of the asthma not being under control, and needing too much time of work, I have opted for the Symbicort 200/6 Inhaler.

1. For the Fostair Inhaler 200/6 I was prescribed 2 inhalations per day.

2. For the Symbicort 200/6 Inhaler, I have now been prescribed 1 inhalation per day as it contains powder that is inhaled.

Please could people comment on which of the above 2 options you think are best for controlling severe asthma? Thankyou.

[Poobah]

I found Fostair superior to Symbicort. My old Symbicort 200/6 doseage was 2 puffs twice a day. I'm currently on Fostair 200/6, 2 puffs twice a day. I've been able to reduce my Ventolin use thanks to Fostair. But we're all different and some find Symbicort more effective than Fostair. I have non-eosinophilic asthma.

[Asthmasince2yrsold in reply to Poobah]

I was on Symbicort which I didn't get on with at all. I find Fostair very good and I am very pleased with it.Like Poobah says we are all different.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

As others have said we're all different, so what works for you may not work for someone else - and we also aren't healthcare professionals with your notes who are able to advise on what's best for your asthma.

Having said that, I'm not sure why you've been told to take less of the Symbicort than the Fostair, especially if your asthma isn't under control. The way Fostair works means you need a lower dose to get the same amount delivered to the lungs, but this doesn't apply to other inhalers necessarily. I'm not an expert but it seems as if you may be on a lower dose of both the steroid part and the long-acting reliever than you were with Fostair? I would check that with a pharmacist or other healthcare professional though.

Assuming you're in the UK, there are other options you could discuss with your GP and asthma nurse, or consultant if you have one. Either instead of Symbicort or Fostair if neither works well for you, or in addition to. But you'd need to discuss that with your GP/asthma nurse.

You may also want to chat through your options with the nurses on the helpline. They can't prescribe or treat you, but they do have time to listen and can make suggestions for you to take to your nurse or GP. 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp on 07999 377 775 Monday-Friday 0915-5pm

[Trinity7]

Goodmask1# i came back off symbicort a while back. I did not feel as good as Ventolin. My GP happy to change it back. They said some people find efficacy not as good.

[Alith2]

I was on Symbicort but was changed to Fostair as it was a ‘better’ inhaler. It didn’t work for me so went back on Symbicort for some years. It worked fine for me until my COPD/asthma worsened. It seems to be trial and error to find which medication works best.

[Patk1]

I've just been comparing them online and fostair 100/6 is equivalent to symbicort 200/6 because fostair is smaller molecules that get absorbed more easily by sm Airways.See how u go but do contact gp if it's not right for u.we r all different,no q1 size fits all.hope it's suitable for you

[Mons]

I tried Symbicort but it didn’t work for me. Tried the Fostair 200/6 and after a couple of weeks worked REALLY well. I have been on it for about 2 years. On the flip side I have a friend who tried Fostair 200/6 first and it didn’t help at all and she is on Symbicort now and it’s working well for her. It’s a bit trial and error as to what works for each individual person. Hope you find something that relieves your symptoms.