Inhalers one or two?

[SORRELHIPPO]

I have asthma and have a salbutamal inhaler. I recall reading an article stating that GP's were giving out far too many single inhalers, and that research showed that if you had the blue inhaler (Ventolin/salbutamol etc) you would do better if you had the preventative brown inhaler also. I have no idea how good the research was, or who conducted the research, as I was not concentrating when I read it!!! Can anyone tell me if it was well founded research with results that stand up, also if the results (as above) were reported correctly? Thanks for your time

[hypercat54]

I don't know about this research but the principle behind treatment for lung disease in general is to have a preventer such as the brown inhaler which opens your airways. This is usually taken every 12 hours. Some preventers such as symbicort have some reliever in as well so maybe this is what the research is talking about?

You then also have a reliever ie the blue ventolin inhaler if you are extra breathless. Current thinking says that if you have to use this more than 3/4 times a week then your preventer inhalor might need amending or changing.

I hope this answers your question. x

[SORRELHIPPO in reply to hypercat54]

Thanks, I am using the reliever at least twice if not four times in 24 hours, and have no preventer, gives me something to discuss with my GP

[hypercat54 in reply to SORRELHIPPO]

Yes you definitely need to see your doctor/respiratory nurse to discuss this as it sounds like you do need a preventer as well. x

[knitter]

Yes , NHS UK recommends a preventer inhaler to dampen down any inflammation if you need your blue Ventolin more than three or more times a week.

I have a brown steroid preventer and a blue Ventolin reliever.

I have tried a combination one but they do not suit me, but others are fine with them....we are all different.

Please go back to your medical practioner for advice.

The BLF have a helpline as do Asthma UK, for those people who live in the UK.

[Ergendl]

When I was first diagnosed with COPD, the Respiratory Nurse got me to try the brown and blue inhaler combination but found they weren't as effective as the green and blue inhaler combination.