Stopping Fostair: Im absolutely fed up... - Lung Conditions C...

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Stopping Fostair

Edam profile image
Edam
15 Replies

Im absolutely fed up with the side effects I get with Fostair Nexthaler and most other inhalers and as my GP wont change it im stopping it.

I only take 1 puff of 200/6 in the evening so if I need to taper it how can i do so. Im thinking of perhaps taking it every other day

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Edam profile image
Edam
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15 Replies
andy121 profile image
andy121

Hi, you shouldn’t just stop or adjust your preventer inhaler without speaking to a health care professional first!

Maybe it’s the dry powder type that’s the problem have you tried the Mdi version? How long have you been on it? As it takes around 8 weeks to work to its full effect and any side effects can subside. Maybe speak to a different GP. Or call the A/Lung Uk for advice.

All the best

garshe profile image
garshe in reply to andy121

Fostair did not agree with me. I also don't like any powder inhalers.Went back to my usual one .

Lizzab profile image
Lizzab

Get your GP to prescribe something else. There will be something that suits you .You'll always need an inhaler on hand. I can go a few weeks without one but once it starts to get difficult again it gets difficult very quickly so I don't recommend it.

Not medical advice following:-

Some people use a Frolov device and buteyko breathing. Both need training.

If trying to taper take a break every three days. As I say I don't recommend that and speak to your GP and make sure you tell them how fed up you are.

Edam profile image
Edam in reply to Lizzab

I have had problems with side effects from Fostair and other inhalers for many years and have posted on this forum about it before. A few days ago I got the side effect shortly after taking the Fostair which really surprised me .

Enough is enough!!!

Lizzab profile image
Lizzab in reply to Edam

It took a year if trying different inhalers to find the right one. I'm now on alvesco and atimos.

Check your thyroid and other hormones and diet as I have found that all these things effect my lung health.

Walking daily helps me too.

Cornishman1966 profile image
Cornishman1966

I'd ask for a second opinion. I took Fostair for a few weeks and ended up shaking so badly I couldn't do my job properly. My GP changed my inhaler immediately once I'd told him. So you're certainly not the only one it affects.

anban18 profile image
anban18 in reply to Cornishman1966

I ended up in hospital twice with an 'adrenalin' rush which has affected my heart - it now has an extra beat - stopped Fostair and went back to my original inhalers

Izb1 profile image
Izb1

I dont have copd but bronchiectasis and find that most inhalers dont work for me. I use Ventolin when I need it and Seretide when necessary. I cant use powder inhalers they just clog me up. Why dont you give the helpline a call 0300 222 5800 they will be able to advise you x

Nelson1963 profile image
Nelson1963

Hi I have also stopped taking Fostair and suffer worse symptoms than the problem itself. Anxious, shaky, and heightened feeling of overwhelmed.

Mavary profile image
Mavary

Hi! I was on Fostair and got on with it ok apart from I had a very sore tongue. I complained about it and they started to change me over to Luforbec which they said was the same. I kept saying it wasn’t the same. For a start they were giving me 100/6 which was a lot less. I had an awful fuss and then I ended up with another bout of Aspergillosis. Which ended me in having to ask for steroids.

Bear in mind I was on Fostair 200/6 and they cut me down to 100/6 and they wanted me to have one puff a day whereas I’m on two puffs twice a day of Fostair. Eventually I saw an Asthma nurse who asked me if I would like to see the Consultant which I said yes I would.

I’ve now seen the consultant and he’s happy for me to take Luforbec at 200/6 which I now do and seem ok. It is the same as Fostair but they were trying to drastically reduce the dosage and it didn’t work. I am now getting over Covid and I’m sure the Luforbec has helped.

There are different kinds of Fostair. It may be that you can change which one you have. I know one is a powder then there’s another I don’t know how that is propelled.

Can you say what symptoms you have?

lenniep profile image
lenniep

I was on Seretide Preventer Inhaler and they tried changing me to Fostair and after only 3 days I had to ask to be changed back as the Fostair felt as though it was ripping my throat apart and made me very shaky and certainly wasn’t anywhere near as effective as my Seretide. So contacted my Respiratory Nurse (who was the one who changed my inhaler) and she changed it back. She did say that some people just can’t take Fostair due to side effects.

Timberman profile image
Timberman

Advice says do NOT stop suddenly. Your dosage is unusually low in fact but I would still advise getting advice before stopping. I am not clear what you disease is but if it is COPD I strongly suggest finding and using your local COPD team - they know a lot more about COPD than any 'general' practitioner is likely to.

This may be useful:

rightbreathe.com/medicines/...

Davegt profile image
Davegt

Today treatment regime should be different. In years gone by a doctor would prescribe something and you were not consulted. Today you should have an input for treatment. You explain to the GP that Fostair is not suitable because: list your personal side effects and how they affect you. Then ask what other treatment may be better for you without the side effects that affect you most.

england.nhs.uk/personalised...

Deep-Purple profile image
Deep-Purple

Hi, thanks for sharing, you don’t actually say what your side effects are. I’ve been on Fostair for years for Asthma and COPD - my symptoms aren’t nearly as bad as they were at first because I gave up smoking as soon as I got the diagnosis. I find my voice gets weak and croaky and sometimes I can’t seem to clear my throat. It would be good to know an alternative medication that doesn’t do that.

Edam profile image
Edam

Although I have not had any breathing problems during the day after stopping Fostair I think that my O2 is dropping during the night so I have had to restart it again,

This means I will still have to put up with weak legs after using it

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