Seretide prescribed for copd, or not so... anymore?

[Mezitonka]

I've posted before that I am having severe problems with fostair (severe headaches once a week or so, about 24 hrs on average, muscle fatigue, major weight gain). When i was on seretide it worked well respiratory-wise and with no side-effects and so I would dearly love to know if it is still prescribed for copd, or just for asthma. I am sick and tired of fostair slavery!!! Does anyone have the knowlege?

[Caspiana]

Hello Mezitonka ,

I don't have asthma, but I was prescribed this when they initially mistook my lung disease for asthma. I think Seretide is used for asthma. If you are suffering so much using Fostair, please ring your doctor and get it changed if possible to something else . I'm sorry if you have mentioned before but song on have asthma and copd?

Suffering the side effects of medication can really get one down. I hope things improve for you soon. Take care of yourself.

Cas xx 🍀🐞🍀

[Mezitonka in reply to Caspiana]

Thanks for the info. The knowledge I need is if Seretide is widely prescribed for copd. By this I don't mean just in a small number of cases for copd, but quite widely. I need to know in case my request to revert to seretide is pointless.

[Caspiana in reply to Mezitonka]

I don't know Mezitonka ,

But maybe others will be more knowledge. I am thinking if you did well on Seretide what would be the opposition to going back on it?? Surely it's the results that matter ? xx 👋

[Sparkywoo]

As far as I’m aware Seretide 500 is (certainly was) licensed for COPD. I guess Fostair is much more cost effective Which is why it’s so widely prescribed. Go back and talk to your GP. Not all drugs agree with everyone and they should change it.

[Preshous]

I wish I could give a definitive answer but can only say I was switched from Seritide 250 to Sirdupla 250 a few years back, I have severe emphysema and to be fair there was not much between the 2.

[Cade1]

Hi I have bronchiectasis- not COPD (just yet) & was changed to Fostair a year ago. Have not really got on with it at all. Spoke to my GP who changed it back to Seretide. As someone else has said talk to your GP about it. Seretide is still used for copd (to my knowledge).

[teddyd in reply to Cade1]

Can I ask why ' just yet'.

I am not being nosey or rude. I just wondered do you mean bronchietasis moves on to copd?

[Cade1 in reply to teddyd]

No, I don’t really think it does. I suppose I really meant they are related. Sorry if I caused confusion & you are right to pull me up on that 😊

[teddyd in reply to Cade1]

Thank you. I was not trying to pull you up on it. Its just my consultant tells me they are not related.

Stay safe . Nice to chat 🌞

[Cade1 in reply to teddyd]

I find this an interesting subject as years ago, they were lumped together but as time as gone on & tests become more sophisticated, the differences are becoming more apparent. Xx

[teddyd in reply to Cade1]

Hi

Yes it is so often clumped into one category. I have said to Gps more than once I do not have Copd.

[Lesleyr14]

I was prescribed Seretide for asthma about 10 years or so ago, which worked well; I was changed over to Relvar about 3 years ago, but don't feel it works with the night time wheezing. I did mention this to my GP a couple of years ago but was told they were not prescribing Seretide any more. As I was diagnosed with COPD a few months ago, I think the asthma was misdiagnosed as I have never had an asthma attack!

As I am in NE Scotland, I expect location has an effect on prescriptions!

[Itsmeagain1]

I am on seretide 250 been on for 7 years or so however my doctor is trying his hardest to get me off it I have emphysema hope that helps

[B0xermad]

Hi I have seretide and the asthma nurse at my review said fostair is better as it doesn't contain as much steroid so I trialed it for 3mths, headaches breathing difficulties general fatigue,I swiftly asked to go back onto seretide with no other option I impressed upon the nurse so 3yrs on still taking seretide and much more able to function

[katieoxo60]

Hello there, to confirm Seretide is being replaced by other drugs for Asthma and COPD. I had mine replaced with Relvar Ellipta high dose but had a reaction and was returned to Seretide by the Hospital. It is prescribed for COPD but I also have asthma. Due to the current crisis I have not been able to try other options for now. If Forstair is not working for you then you need to discuss it with your GP or consultant. Most drugs have side effects so you need to find the one with the least side effects. I have been taking Sertetide 500 now for several years because it was the drug of choice in the past. But there are many new ones now. Do try to get the best for you even if it does mean change. Good Luck.

[gingermusic]

I am currently using Seretide 100 and have been for some time with no ill effects at al and I do not have Asthma. O suffer with Emphysema and Bronchiectasis hope this helps

[Hidden]

I couldn't use salmeterol in any form as it caused bronchoconstriction a few minutes after inhaling it, even in a combination inhaler. I have been using Fostair for a couple of years now with good effect. As far as I know though you absorb more steroid with this inhaler because the particles are smaller and therefore penetrate further into your lungs. Since using Fostair I bruise easily all over the place which I put down to taking in more steroid than I used to. On the other hand before Fostair I was having asthma attacks once or twice a year that required oral steroids. No win situation.

[Nimrod2]

I used Fostair without any problems except I only used 1 puff morning and evening as I found with 2 I was more breathless. I am now on Trimbow as have asthma and COPD. I used to have Spiriva as well but Trimbow includes something to deal with mucus so now just on 2 puffs of that twice a day. Many moons ago I was on Seretide but I bruised so easily on that. I have not had that problem on Fostair or Trimbow.

[anng18]

I've been prescribed seretide for COPD.

Had a terrible time with Fostair - began causing numbness down the side of my face - when I stopped taking it, it went away. It also made me anxious!

[Kirkysnan]

I was originally prescribed Seretide in 2014 but in 2018 changed to Fostair. I had terrible bleeds on my arms all the time and constant coughs and infections. I gave up smoking at last in August 2018 but really struggled with my breathing. I tried lots of different inhalers Braltus, Incruse , Clenil then back to Seretide. At my review in January they changed me back to Braltus again. I self isolated from the16th March but had an awful chest again,had a telephone consultation and doxycycline and steroids. It improved for a week but then I was struggling again so after a few days I took Seretide which I'd saved and within a day my breathing had improved and my peak flow was up from 190 to 290. Last week I rang the doctor and he changed my repeat back to Seretide. It's your body and your breathing you must t if you know Seretide works well for you Good luck

[Grayjay]

I've changed from Seretide to Fostair. Now on Trelegy Ellipta which is a non Steroid inhaler. Not had any problems with this.

[ccccc]

I take Seretide 250 for asthma and have tried numerous other inhalers over the years (Fostair being one) and not found any of them as effective as Seretide. Like others have said Seretide is more expensive than the other inhalers, however that's not your problem as the patient, the best drug for you should be prescribed not the cheapest for the GP. It really angers me when people are switched onto cheaper drugs that are less effective just to save the a few quid. It isn't the people who make these decisions who wake up breathless in the night or struggle to live day-to-day on less effective medications. So I would politely but firmly insist to go back onto the Seretide if it works for you

[mikeadams51]

I was switched from seretide to forstair but found it no conducive to better breathing. I switched back to to seretide only to be switched to sirdupla which is a cheaper copy but still works. Like others have said go back to the doctors and ask to be put back on seretide. Good luck

[kimmi61]

Hi Mezitonka

I have been taking Seretide for about 6 months, after having a terrible time with a dry powder inhaler. It has made a difference and I am breathing much easier. I have Emphysema.

[teddyd]

I can't answer your question however Fostair did not work for me ( asthma & bronchietasis). It made me quite poorly .

I would recommend like most other replies call your Dr or specialist nurse.

There are lots of options .

[stamford1234]

There are lots of meds for COPD. Speak to your doctor there will be an alternative. Good luck