Hi, I've been on Luforbec about 3 weeks and noticed a gradual decline in peak flow.Just hit a crisis point by getting a cold and I have gone from no asthma symptoms to being a full on asthmatic again.
I have asked to go back to Fostair but meeting a little opposition.
I found a used Fostair with a bit left this morning and used it - I am in no way better but a definite improvement.
The Fostair has more 'push' for sure and I'm using a spacer.
I have been trying to find out what different ingredients are in them outside of the active ones so I can see if that's the problem.
Anyone know??
Thanks for reading
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SGguitargirl
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I found the details SGguitargirl. I think it was on the MHRA website from the details that were filed when they authorised it. I’ll try to find it, but I don’t think it will be tonight. They weren’t identical, if I recall, but the difference was minimal, not that I’m saying that doesn’t count. Like you, when I was changed to Luforbec my peak flows started to drop. The thing that struck me was that it had been tested on “healthy individuals.”
A number of people have had issues with generics not being as good for them as the original. We are all different and some things just do not work for some people.
Normally though when people go back to their GP, the GP puts them back on the original.
I am lucky that my GP asthma nurse manages my asthma, with me, as your medic is ameant to.
If your GP is not being helpful, ring the asthma UK helpline on 0300 2225800, and see if they can help you phrase your request to the GP to go back to the original in the correct NHS speak.
If you asked a health professional, they would say that they have the same ingredients, but Luforbec is cheaper, being made in India. But of course, anyone who has had experience of the difference between the branded versus the generic form of many medicines, can tell the difference, no matter what they say. The one thing I've noticed with Luforbec is the inferiority of the dose. I've had many instances when one press has either given me two doses or hardly one. I had an old Fostair container and put he Luforbec cannister into it and had no problems. Might that be your problem?
I was given Luforbec 4-5weeks a go and has to use more than twice a day as my asthma has declined and would like to be given Fostair as my asthma was better also my Ventilin was replaced by Salamol and I believe they are better for the enviorament and not my asthma not happy at all as I’m 64 soon to be 65 what can be done to restore my original treatment ????
Hi -the active ingredient is the same but the propellant is different as Lubfobec is a non CFC one - Maleic acid instead of hydrochloric acid in Fostair is the difference only.
Speak to your asthma nurse and asked to be changed back to fostair - mine changed it immediately when i complained the Lubfobec wasn’t working as well so obviously some people don’t respond as well
I was put on Lufobec and did not get on with it, - slight dizziness when driving and dry throat,, - the 2 acids in Luforbec and Fostair are different on the canisters,, I went back to the asthma nurse and explained I was not happy with it and I had had no problem with Fostair, she put me back on Fostair!….It is a cost saving exercise by the NHS and Luforbec is made in India!…..
I was put on Luforbec and I did not get on with it. It made me cough as I inhaled and my asthma got worse. My asthma nurse said any problems and we will put you back on Fostair when she prescribed it, needlees to say I'm back on Fostair. It's like the difference between Ventolin and Salamol, they are not in the same league! I buy my own Ventolin now as my surgery won't prescribe it specifically and as it is more expensive my local pharmacy will only give me Salamol.
I had similar issues to the point my asthma, which had been reasonably stable for several months, began to get really twitchy. Luckily, I had a GP surgery appointment for an asthma review. The lady was a qualified asthma nurse practitioner - and she read my notes and the letters from the Respiratory Clinic - and immediately switched me back - putting a note on my surgery records that my Fostair 200/6 (used as mart) must NOT be changed. She explained that the change to Luforbec had been an across the board decision, with no accounting for individual’s patients needs. They had presumed that people would tell them if Luforbec proved troublesome. Rather like playing Russian roulette with patients health….. She also had a look at my spacer - and ordered me another. Please, please contact your surgery for an asthma review, stating that your asthma has become really twitchy….and hopefully, get changed back to your Fostair.
The same thing happened to me. I ended up needing 2 courses of antibiotics and 3 lots of 40mg prednisolone plus a weaning dose. Back on Fostair now and a lot better.
You are correct in what you say, I think. I got a letter from Health Dept. (I'm in Scotland) saying they were going to switch me from FOSTAIR to LUFORBEC. The letter assured me the Active Ingredients were identical (ie. Not ALL Ingredients). I went to doc and protested about this and the doc agreed to keep me on Fostair. I have COPD and I prefer Fostair.
From what I've read on here, it seems to me NO user of Fostair prefers Luforbec. In my opinion, FOSTAIR is a far superior product to LUFORBEC and the reason for the 'change' is 100% to do with the price and the nature of the propellant.
As I said to the doc - The "active ingredients" of all cars are wheels, engine, steering wheel and brakes - But who would prefer a Fiat 500 to a Rolls Royce or a Range Rover??
Thank you for this. I do have a friend on Lufer(!) who has no problem with it and so it's an individual thing. I am not ok by a long way and just returned to Fostair so early days. I usually never use the blue ( now every few hours) I go to the gym 3 days a week ( not possible) antibiotics started today and steroids.
Hi, Luforbec is the generic of fostair and not a very good one my doctors did attempt that with myself but I flatly refused, the reason for the change is to save £8 on each device.The advice I give to you is stand your grown with your doctors and explain how its affecting your health and eventually they will give in as my doctors did.
Luforbec and may have the same ingredients but doesn't mean they are the same, I would check out of the threads on here at the amount of people that have had issues with Lubforbec
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