Has anyone changed from Seretide 250 to Fostair 100/6?

[Bridget-Jones]

I have just had my medication for my asthma changed from Seretide to Fostair as the nurse was concerned that long term use of Seretide at a high dose could lead to side effects in the future like diabetes. I’ve only been on Fostair for a couple of days but so far have experienced headaches, stomach ache and generally feeling a bit unwell. Wondering if it is likely to improve if I let my body adjust to it or if I should go back to the GP?? I’m also a bit worried that I’ve been on such a high dose of Seretide for so long and no GP has ever suggested it may be a problem before, if anything the side effects of inhalers are generally minimised. I’m also taking nasonex twice a day, so have been on a lot of inhaled steroids for years. Any thoughts / advice would be appreciated.

[Hidden]

Omg that's scary I've been on Seritide 500 purple one for years and no one ever mentioned diabetes..must ask GP about that,thanks Ger

[Gladwyn in reply to Hidden]

I was on Seretide when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a few years ago . Hmmmm . I was later switched from Seretide to Fostairs and have had no problem at all with it.

[Hidden in reply to Gladwyn]

Me too... and I am still using Seretide. I will have to do some research.

[poppit1946]

I was changed to AirFluSal MDI as I am an adult (this one is not suitable for children or adolescents) and have no problems with it

[monju]

Hi I belive Doctor's never inform us about side, they say the leaflet with the medication should tell us.

[jabber]

Hi, I took Seretide 500 for well over 10 years with no real problems. I hadn't heard that it could lead to diabetes, but it seems to me that these days almost everything comes with an enormous list of side effects (don't you love the ones that say could cause constipation and diarrhoea?)

As you were on a high dose of Seretide, the symptoms you're describing could be steroid withdrawal type symptoms, rather than caused by the Fostair. So giving the new drug a bit more time might be a good idea.

I asked for a change from seretide nearly 3 years ago because my voice was disappearing and I'd heard it could be causing that, so my consultant changed my prescription to Fostair and Spiriva. The changeover was very smooth for me and I noticed no difference at first, but after a while I realised my breathing had become much easier, and I felt much better. My voice has improved a bit, but the biggest change that I didn't register straight away was that I started losing weight with no effort. I was eating less, and to cut a long story short, I am now 2 stone lighter than I was, so I've lost a fifth of my body weight. Quite a difference when you're only 5 feet tall and it must have contributed to easier breathing and general fitness.

Sorry, I've gone on a bit, as I always do once started. What I could have said was that for me Fostair contributed to a great improvement, but we are all very different on how we tolerate the same meds. If you're not happy with it, there are alternatives. My husband has Symbicort for his asthma and gets on well with that.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do, Jan

[Bridget-Jones in reply to jabber]

Thanks Jan,

I’ll definitely give it a bit more of a go. I have also had massive problems with my voice on Seretide, so hoping the Fostair could help with that. Losing weight would also be a great bonus!

[jabber in reply to Bridget-Jones]

I hope it goes well for you. I do think it's a good idea to give the Fostair more time, but be gentle with yourself while you're not feeling a hundred per cent. Hopefully you'll soon be feeling some benefit from the change.

Having said that, you know your body best, so do go back to your GP if after a while you feel it's just not working for you.

Keep us posted!

[Hidden]

Sadly Fostairs hasn't had the weight loss effect on me !!! How I wish it had. 😄😄

[jabber in reply to Hidden]

I'm not really sure what caused me to start eating less, resulting in the weight loss. I put it down to stopping the Seretide with its steroid content, but who knows? I'm just thankful as I've never been able to diet successfully, though I was definitely overweight for my height.

Or, as a friend of mine used to put it, 'I'm not overweight, I'm just undertall'

[Dragonmum]

I find Fostair far better than Seretide and I was on that for years.

[peege]

Fostair has been brilliant for me.

[lKeith]

Bridget-Jones

Hi, I have been on inhalers for years, it seems each time I go into hospital they change my prescription or supply inhalers thro' a different system such as a nebulizer.

With the Fostair it is possible that you would feel the benefit better if you used an aero spacer, these come in 2No forms a shortish one and a large one. The larger one alows you to take in the medication at a much slower pace and you can breath normally in between the inhaling. Works better for me that way as I don't have the puff anymore to take long drags. If you haven't got an aero spacer try that first before requesting a change the med.

It is rumoured that Fostair is better than Ventolin. Talk it thro' with your GP.

IKeith

[Damocles]

I used to be on Seretide 250 they discovered a link between that and pneumonia so I was taken of it and am now on fostair 200 I found the transition a little rough for a while but it did settle in time and I find the fostair a better inhaler now hope this helps

[Lorre]

Hi, I was on Seretide & changed to Fostair, the reason I was given was, because it was more economical, ( cheaper) to prescribe, I haven’t had any side effects from Fostair but was told I’d need to have 2 puffs twice a day, whereas when using Seretide I only needed one puff a day 😃

[Derek]

I too was on seretide which was changed to Sirdupla (salmeterol/fluticasone propionate) but without any particular reason so assumed it was a cheaper option. I always feel l have some constriction in my throat (Narrowing?), my voice is affected (husky) and at times prevents normal speech. I’ve used this inhaler for a few years now so perhaps, having read the other comments, should query my throat condition?

[Roysieboy in reply to Derek]

Hello Derek. I was on Seretide and Forstair and had similar symptoms with my speech as u r talking about. I was sent to adult speech therapy, am not sure whether that helped or not but soon after that I was put on Duaklir and my speech is as normal now. My consultant said it maybe the steroid that was causing the speech problem. Duaklir has not got steroid in it apparently. Don’t know if this is of any help, I certainly hope so. Good luck and best wishes. 👍🤓

[swallow]

I was changed from Seretide to fostair 3 months ago, I have seen my GP this past week to let him know, I have given it a good try but it is no way better for me than Seretide, I'm finding it has set me back and given me a low grade cough I didn't have before, we're all different so give it a month at least. I doubt Seretide causes diabetes.

[Shadwell]

Just been to see my chest specialist and also been taken off seritide she said new information. Suggests that unless you suffer from lots of chest infections seritide becouse it contains a steroid can make u suseptable to pneumonia which I had earlier this year

So that could also be a reason why they've taken u off it

But definatly speak to your gp about your symptomswith the new drug

[Poppins23]

Hiya, I've been switched a couple of times from seritide to different fostair inhalers. Neither agreed with me, it is a much finer mist which is inhaled easier but I felt so ill whilst using it. My breathing became far worse, no energy and dizzy spells. Each time I switched back to seritide. Neither my GP or asthma nurse are fans of seritide but have never given a reason why. I've recently switched to symbicort which does seem to be more effective. If you are not feeling any better with it then I would definitely get it reviewed.

[Yatzy]

I changed from Seretide 250 four days ago. My GP practice sent me a letter saying my Seretide had been changed to Sereflo, which has the same ingredients as Seretide 250 but cost the NHS half the price....they hoped I would help.

So far I’ve had intermittent tingly lips and a sore throat, also I wake with a mild headache at the back of my head, an unusual place for me, needing paracetamol. But apart from a wobble the first day, requiring use of my reliever, my asthma has stayed good.

The jury is still out for me but I’m willing to persevere a while longer, to be a more economical patient. Seretide 250 is a very expensive option I now realise. But don’t want my asthma backtracking, so will be asking for a reversal if that happens.

[Mango503]

I have been on seritide for 8 years.didnt seem to help very much.so my doctor in thailand added another inhaler.called spiriva 2 puffs every morning 1 puff seritde.then 1 puff seritide night.i feel a hell of alot better now.i just worry what harm taking seretide and steroid tablet every day will do to my body.

[Torchy]

Hi I also have been changed from seretide to fostair. I had been on Seretide for many years with no issues. However since changing to Fostair I suffer with extremely bad cramp on a daily basis and my peak flow has dropped to 177 following spirometry test carried out by nurse. The nurse is fully aware of my issues and has told me to take my ventolin 20 minutes before taking Fostair. This doesn't seem to have helped. Still breathless and suffering cramp in legs ,hips and hands. Seeing gp on Tuesday. Would love to go back to Seretide but nurse didn't think it was an option.