I am being changed from my Fostair MART to Luforbec. It was emphasised that they are exactly the same, and being done because Luforbec is cheaper. This is understandable considering the pressure the NHS is under, but it makes me nervous, and hope that it is exactly the same. (Have memories of Ventolin being changed to Salamol which never seemed as effective)
Has anyone else been changed to Luforbec and how are you finding it?
Quite a few people have posted about this, with mixed opinions.u can do a search.if u have any probs,speak to Yr gp x
Ghanks Patk1 😁
Hi. I was changed to Luforbec by text message from my GP, no discussion. Yes, it has the same ingredients but I wasn’t happy with it at all. I found that it caught the back of my throat and made me cough so I managed to change it back. The pharmacist wasn’t happy and said I “will have to change eventually as they will stop making Fostair”. As long as there is a call for it, it will still be made. Good luck with using Luforbec, you may well be okay. If not complain, it’s no good having something cheaper if it causes problems.
Thanks for your comment Jeaniseuge. I shall see how it goes. I will try and get it changed back to Fostair if it doesnt work for me. I am a bit sick of this messing abojt with our meds. Last time they were trying to change me to Fobumix powder, and i had go convince them to put me back on Fostair.
I have had the same problem with a nasal spray for my sinusitis. They give me a generic Beclometasone spray which is okay but it doesn’t work as well as the Beconase branded one. I’m told that they’re not allowed to prescribe Beconase in Warwickshire as “it’s the same” but occasionally my pharmacist will give it to me. I have to resort to buying it myself otherwise. There is most definitely a difference in how it helps.
thankyou Jeaniseuge👍
They are EXACTLY the same! Please do not let anyone scare you into thinking they are a lesser medication. I am given both, depending on what the chemist has in stock.
And again
thankyou Lilypicke1 👍
I don’t care what you say, I found a difference without doing any research as to it’s effectiveness!!
That's very rude!
Not really, I think Jeaniseuge is just stating her own experience. The fact it differs from yours doesn’t make it less valid. Anyway, they might contain the same drug but they’re not the same product. There’ve been numerous posts on this topic - if you type Luforbec into the search box you can read about the ways in which it differs from Fostair
Thank you janedivney.
The rude part was "I don't care what you say". Doing away with that sentence would have got your point across just as well.
I’m not looking for a fight with anyone here as we are all fighting the same battle, only perhaps with the NHS for not believing that people react differently to them. If you research them through the medical journals they are manufactured from different sources and by different methods. The NHS only gives a basic overview and are trying to source at minimal cost. This is only the same as two people baking a cake from the same recipe but producing different products that are liked by different consumers. So they aren’t “EXACTLY” the same.
Ummm... I'm not commenting on your main point on the meds - each have their own experiences.
My comment was solely about your statement: "I don't care what you say"....
I may or may not agree with your points on the meds, but I respect your right to comment on your experiences with different brands or generic versions of what are supposed to be the same meds.
I hope you're able to get the brands that suit you.
I'm in a country where I have to pay for any treatment and meds so I can choose which brands to buy after consulting with medical professionals.
well i will try the Luforbec and see how i get on with it and try and keep an open mind. at the mo though i am using up two Fostair inhalers that ive only just collected before the change was announced. Thanks for everyone's comments. xx
That’s exactly what you should be doing Shirazmataz, giving things a try. Good luck with the meds, hope you stay well x
It's ok for the powers that be to say things are the same but I have also experienced drug swaps in the past that have definitely affected me differently. I think they talk about the main ingredient being identical but sometimes the different propellants or the fillers in tablets don't suit me. XxMoy
Also with tablets, different colours.
Yes, that too! xx Moy
I am thinking of starting a campaign to have ALL ingredients in medicines listed, not just the active ingredients. Not sure how to begin.
good idea but sounds a challenge. I wonder if it has been done but is out of reach for the general public, who knows!
Even the GP I saw privately didn't have a list of prescription drugs which included the colours. I needed an antibiotic, and the only way he could prescribe one without the azodye food colours, was for us to look at photos of each medicine in turn and check out ones that weren't in capsules and were preferably white. Fortunately I had booked a double appointment with him.
Wow that sounds a lengthy process!!
ah that's a good point MoyB about the propellants. Its a huge price difference so i can see why they are doing it. I will try it and see how i get on. Its such a pain all this mucking about with your meds though, as there is nothing worse and it makes you anxious if something is not working and affecting your breathing, especially if on your own and difficulty of getting a surgery appointment.
I totally agree! I had to ask to be changed back to Ventolin from the other one they were trialling as it didn't work for me at all. There was no problem changing back as the asthma nurse at the surgery was asthmatic herself and had also experienced it not working as efficiently.
xx Moy
ahh very handy she was asmatic too !!!!😀
I think that's what clinched it really. She'd had the same experience. xx Moy
I have been on Fostair Nexthaler and am not getting on with the powder making me cough. I was changed to Fostair but given Luforbec and this hasn't been working well for me, the cough is worse and not sure if it's just the change over. I will continue with it for a while as they say give it 4 weeks to see if it works. When I spoke with my consultant she isn't sure if it the arthritis in my hands isn't pumping enough of the solution into the chamber, she has suggested a different inhaler if I need to change which I think is called Breatheasy. Give it a chance it may well work for you x
thankyou, i will give it a try and see what i think!
I am being moved over to luforbe from fostair on my next prescription. I use a spacer with tidal breathing and my resp nurse told me I can do the same with luforbec as it is an MDI. I get on well enough with salamol so hopefully will with luforbec too but I can change it back to Fostair if it doesn't suit.
Hope it works out well for us both 😁
I was changed from Fostair to Luforbec. Didn't like it and it was not as good,, so changed back to Fostair. During a hospital stay in September I was put on Trimbow which I think is better.
thankyou jackwok - i wonder how much Trimbow costs in comparison and interesting the hospital changed it, because its the GP surgeries that are trying to reduce their costs. Why didnt you like Luforbec. Did you feel more breathless and peak flow measures down?
The Luforbec was not working for me and I was more breathless. One of our COPD nurses who is asthmatic doesn't rate it either. When I queried Trimbow with the hospital they said it was the only brand they stocked.
It seems like its very useful to have a professional contact who is also asthmatic as they know exactly what the issues are with the medications!
yes couple of years ago
Spiriva capsule didn't vibrate in handihaler
THE GREAT SURGICAL HAND GELL SCAM ! ...
Is anyone else having problems with Air Liquide
Change of moisturiser 
Repeat hospital admissions
