Reliever spray without lactose - help please

[Henlen]

I am looking for a recommendation for a lactose-free reliever spray. My Bricanyl spray makes me feel terrible. Do they exist? My doctor says not. I am really tight and don’t know what to do. Sorry for the rambling explanation I am not feeling great. Thank you. (Long version why: I used to have poorly controlled asthma until five years ago when in total desperation I went vegan. Four days after, my asthma became really bad. Then after ten days the wheezing disappeared; after six months I came off my Seretide 250. I later accidentally ate butter and the heavy wheezing and mucus was back. Turns out I have a delayed onset t-cell response to dairy (consultant confirmed). Living without dairy I have been completely symptom-free, except when I have been exposed accidentally. In the past I did not tolerate salbutamol well and was prescribed Bricanyl which also made me feel bad but was better. I have not used it in years but caught a horrible cold three weeks ago and have been wheezy and gasping for ten days. Using Bricanyl gives me the same burning chest and wheezing dairy exposure does and apparently contains milk proteins.)

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

I think a lot of DPIs (dry powder/sucky) have lactose in them but most (if not all) preventer MDIs don’t (puffers/sprays). Have you tried the any MDI inhalers? And if so any issue with them? (Salbutamol has lactose in I know...)

[Henlen in reply to EmmaF91]

Other than bricanyl (DPI) I have only ever had ventolin (salbutamol) and it also contains lactose. I spoke to out-of-hours GP today and he said there are none. Doctor’s surgery has closed except for corona (111 classified me as not corona, as no fever). I am hoping to get a name here that I can suggest to a telephone doctor / nurse on Monday. I am so tight it is really unpleasant.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Henlen]

Fostair 100 MDI is worth a try. It can also be used as a MART inhaler so can replace salbutamol (if it works for you)

[Henlen in reply to EmmaF91]

Thank you Emma! I will try to talk to my practice about it today (though they are closed for routine appointments. It's hard to be wheezy without a reliever.)

[Joan_Public]

I think that most dry powder inhalers and metered dose inhalers with canisters contain lactose and your options for short- acting relievers are limited. Even the combined maintenance and relief therapy inhalers; like foster and symbicourt, which use long acting relievers and steroids together for both relief and maitenance, most of these types have lactose in a small amount

Bricanyl is available as nebules, which are a liquid form and so they don't contain the powdery fillers that are in the turbohaler, but they need to be taken through a nebuliser. If your doctor will prescribe them, they may also lend you a nebuliser or you may have to buy one.