Fostair to Bibecfo

[V8Lurcher]

I have had my repeat prescription changed from Fostair to Bibecfo. I have also had my Salbutamol stopped as Bibecfo will replace this as well.

I have been on Fostair as a preventer for about 8 years and Salbutamol/Ventolin for over 30 years so am a bit wary of change.

I wondered if anyone else had had this change and how it went?

I would be grateful for any feedback.

[Patk1]

I've just been reading up on it in bnf - it's active ingredients are same as fostair.Many of us are on MART ( maintainance & reliever therapy) with fostair & it's alternatives.for some people,it's v effective,some of us still need salbutamol

[V8Lurcher in reply to Patk1]

Hi thank you for your reply. I was told it was the same, but cheaper. I was supposed to be going to MART last year, but my prescription frequency wasn't changed so I would have run out.We'll see how it goes.

[DannyQ]

I would say it's a generic of Fostair, now my first question to you is your Asthma under control using your Fostair then I would suggest you don't want to be changed onto a generic alternative just to save the NHS money. I would say about 12 months ago they attempted to change lots of people including myself off Fostair onto Lubfec, myself refused as for the first time in over 27 years of my Asthma being diagnosed I had control. I was quickly changed back onto Fostair as your not messing with my health to save money.

So what I would say if your not happy being changed ring up your Asthma nurse to have a chat and explain your thoughts and take it from there, I hope this helps

Danny

[V8Lurcher in reply to DannyQ]

Hi Danny, thanks for the info. I wouldn't say it's 100% under control as I still take Salbutamol regularly. I was told last year my medication might change, but never heard back about it. Apparently Bibecfo is £10 cheaper than Fostair. Which I'm fine with IF it works.

[Blue-Breeze]

I have just read about this my main concern is the last sentence. I was changed from Fostair to Luforbec with bad response and changed back. (Luforbec...Bibecfo then no good you get fostair back?)

Bibecfo (beclometasone / formoterol) pMDI (pressurized metered dose inhaler) for treatment of asthma in adults (GREEN status) - recommended for use: first line pMDI option inhaled corticosteroid (ICS - beclometasone) & long-acting β2-agonist (LABA - formoterol) for patients in whom a dry powder inhaler (DPI) is unsuitable; can be used as part of maintenance therapy (both strengths) & Maintenance & Reliever Therapy (100/6mcg strength) replacing Luforbec as preferred choice. Equivalent to originator inhaler Fostair but lower cost.

I am on Salbutamol and it's on my action plan with MART

[peege]

The medicinal component may be exactly the same however it's the. propellant that's been causing problems for some members so its worth checking that before you change.

I still find it beggars belief that we're having our life saving meds messed with due to green issues imo 'they' should be banning all, the unnecessary aerosols like deodorant and air fresheners, shaving cream grrrr.

I dread the day my excellent Fostair MDI MART is changed for financial reasons, particularly in winter my very worst time my Ventolin was changed to Salamol (which hasn't worked very well) but now I'm prevented form having Salamol because "you don't need it on MART "!

I most certainly do need extra help on the (thankfully rare) times I have a chronic infection or exacerbation when I've got by on out of date ventolin 😡

[Patk1 in reply to peege]

That is awful peege, being refused salbutamol whn u need it.i agree 100% stop other many aerosols b4efore changing medications that keep us alive x

[peege in reply to Patk1]

Thanks Pat, last month I bought two Ventolin and a pack of clarithromycin in India (all for £7) - I'm now kicking myself I didn't get Fostair as well just in case. My friend (who loaned me the ticket) will go next year & will definitely be getting a shopping list. My GP practice is appalling , I need to try to move to another asap. Fancy banning a reliever inhaler to an asthmatic!

[Patk1 in reply to peege]

Scandalous! Yes u do meed to find a better gp practise.im glad u have bought some x

[Poobah]

I've checked various formulary, and both Fostair and Bibecfo contain the same propellant and active ingredients. This change isn't about lowering the carbon footprint (both inhalers have high carbon footprints), but about lowering cost. Some formulary suggest that Bibecfo should only be prescribed for newly diagnosed asthmatics, but you need to check your Trust's local formulary regarding that. Bibecfo is £13.98, Fostair is £29.32.

[V8Lurcher in reply to Poobah]

I was asked if I could go on powder form as well, but I turned that down. I was told I would need to inhale harder on powder and I explained I struggle to inhale what I have sometimes. I was told £14 and £24 but yeah it's cost saving, which if fair enough if it's the same.I'll start on it tomorrow so we'll see how it goes.

[Poobah in reply to V8Lurcher]

It may be prudent to keep a record of your peak flow (if you have one), so that you can see any changes to your asthma and, if necessary, use that record to support any request to change back to Fostair. Hopefully, you won't experience any difference in Bibecfo. Good luck!

[BigBawsTam]

They tried to change me from Fostair to Lubrofec and told me the active ingredients were the same. I told them I was happy with Fostair, and the only reason I could ascertain for the proposed change was that Lubrofec was cheaper. .....

On further investigation, I now believe the "active" ingredients are the same, BUT the other ingredients are are NOT. I believe the propellant is of inferior quality to Fostair propellant - and it is the propellant that effectively delivers the so-called "active" ingredients to where they are required. I objected to the change and the doctor kept me on Fostair, after I explained the active ingredients of a car are an engine and petrol - but I wouldn't wish to swop a Jaguar for a Mini.