Fostair side effects

[Simon20]

I’ve recently been changed to the Fostair combined inhaler and am experiencing a number of side effects the worst of which is problems with sleeping. Can anyone recommend a combination inhaler with low side effects!

[Hidden]

The side affects will pass. I had the same with my fostair. I am on 100/6. The 6 in the blue inhaler. I took one puff morning and night until the side affects wore off and then I went to two morning and two night.

[Simon20 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Camilla22. I’m also on 100/6. I’ll see how it goes. I’ve got an appointment to discuss with GP.

[Hidden in reply to Simon20]

netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/a... information on the fostair you might want to have a look at

[MELNEL]

Hi Simon20, I taking Fostair for quite a while, I have no problems sleeping. How long do you take it? I would suggest that you speak to your GP, everyone is different with inhalers. Some having problems some not. Always better to discuss it with your doctor to find the most helpful one for you. Good luck and take care and keep warm 🌹🤗

[Simon20 in reply to MELNEL]

Thanks Melnel. I have got an appointment to discuss with my GP.

[MELNEL in reply to Simon20]

That's good 🤗 good luck that you find the right one for you 🌹

[Matman]

Didn’t like Fostair originally, but my attempts to make do with an Inhaled-Steroid-Only Inhaler didn’t work out, so had to give the Fostair LABA Inhaler another go.

Since then, it seems to have been OK, but there are other LABA Inhalers out there which some Consultants prefer, some of which include more modern Inhaled Steroid Drugs than the Steroid in Fostair.

Sometimes prescribing costs may be an issue. Fostair isn’t the cheapest but there are more expensive inhalers that the Cash Strapped NHS might be less enthusiastic about prescribing.

If you’re taking two puffs each time you use it (and one of your side-effects is shakiness soon after use) that can sometimes be overcome / reduced by leaving an hour’s interval beteeen each puff.

Also, Fostair (like some other Combo Inhalers) depletes your potassium. As you can’t take more than 100mg a Day of Supplemental Potassium In ‘pill / capsule’ form, the easiest way to ensure you replace this ‘very’ important mineral, is to scoff one or two bananas a day.

[Chokit in reply to Matman]

Hi Matman, I would be interested to know the inhalers that could be used instead of my fostair 200/6, although it has been great in controlling my asthma it has caused me so much hand & foot cramps, spasms & muscle pain that my gp has now put me on Clenil Modulate 200 which I don’t feel is working for me as well as the fostair did but the cramps etc have all subsided....help!

[Simon20 in reply to Chokit]

Seretide (Advair in the US) seems to be a popular combination inhaler.

[Matman]

As you’ll probably know, Clenil is not a duel inhaler, so only provides an inhaled steroid preventer, without any LABA Ingriedient to open your airways.

There are, I believe, a few other Duel Inhalers (like Fostair) about, that include a LABA, but - as I’ve not used them - I can’t really offer an opinion.

Maybe if you create a fresh Post with a title along the lines of ‘Alternative LABA to Fostair?’ or search for that on Google, you’ll discover something that sounds like it might be worth asking your GP about.

Some folk like QVar but, again, that’s one without a LABA.

[Shell8124]

I was on Fostair for a long time and I didn't get on with it at all. I eventually changed to Flutiform and my asthma is the best it has been in years.

[Simon20]

I saw my GP. He’s changed me to Qvar. He thinks the long acting component in Fostair may have been responsible for the side effects. I appreciate that Qvar is steroid only without any long acting LABA component. I’ll see how it goes ....