Change of Inhaler

[Monidee]

I have just found that my Doctor's surgery (well the CCG actually) has changed my Symbicort to Fobumix Easyhaler, same ingredients. Has anyone used Fobumix and how do you find it?

[Hidden]

Sorry I can't help you with that Monidee, perhaps someone else can help. Hope you get a reply soon.

[Monidee in reply to Hidden]

Thanks very much for the reply anyway Bkin. Have a great day

[Hidden]

If it’s the same ingredients then it should be exactly the same: these things often come about due to medical patents expiring, which then enables other companies to release the same medication under a different name and usually at a lower cost to the NHS. A quick look on the good ol’ BNF reveals that symbicort inhalers all cost £6.50 more each than the equivalent fobumix easyhalers, so odds are that your CCG are just looking to make financial savings where they can and will switch everyone over. Occasionally you may find that different brands have slightly different additives, so it’s possible to not get on quite as well with one as the other, but if that is the case then if you talk to your GP/team you can usually get a specific brand named on a prescription.

[Monidee in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the reply Charlie_G. It was down to cost as they finally sent me a letter about it. I just hope they agree to give me my Symbicort back if this new one isn't as good.

[Hidden in reply to Monidee]

As long as you can be objective about it e.g. on this inhaler I get much more breathless doing x, y, z than I did on the symbicort, or if you get a side effect you really can’t tolerate and that’s lasting for quite a while (remember, things like hoarseness often pass with time), then it’s not normally a problem to request a specific brand, but I very strongly anticipate you won’t notice any difference at all. It’s worth mentioning that any changes we notice in these circumstances can also be psychosomatic - as creatures, humans really don’t like change! It’s almost the reverse of the placebo effect.

[Monidee in reply to Hidden]

The reason I am reluctant is that when they changed my spiriva inhaler to another one, my breathing became worse. So they gave me another to try. Again (but for different reasons) that was also not as good. With the help of the Respiratory team at the hospital, they arranged for me to get my Spiriva back. So that has made me nervous about trying new drugs. With this virus that is spreading like crazy out there, the last place I need to be going is to the Drs/hospital if I can help it. Thank you for your valuable input Charlie_G

[Hidden in reply to Monidee]

I understand your concerns Monidee, In the past I have gone back to my old meds because the new one didn't work as well for me. You could voice your concerns to your GP and say you are willing to try the replacement one but you will expect to return to Symbicort (which works well for you) if the new replacement med does not work as well for you.

I was concerned when they changed the spiriva capsule med to the respimat for me but I have found the respimat inhaler works even better.

So perhaps the new med will work as well. Only one way to find out.

Good luck and wishing you Easy Breathing

x x