Asthma Inhalers

[granny grump]

My Asthma nurse has changed my inhaler from Sirdulpa to Fostair. I was doing fine on Sirdulpa and had my asthma under control. I have been on the Fostair for just over 3 weeks and am not happy with it. There is a horrible taste when I use the inhaler which I have never had with any other inhaler. This goes when I rinse my mouth out. Also my sleep is disturbed and I am waking virtually every hour and my mouth and tongue is so dry I can't speak I keep a drink by my bed but it is a change from previously. I am also having pains in my shins at night but I'm not sure if this is connected to my inhaler. I don't know why it was changed but the Fostair is more than £15 cheaper would this be the reason

[hc4361]

Could be the reason. Speak to your nurse, she may change your prescription back to Sirdupla

[granny grump]

I will hc It seems to do the same job but Sirdupla didn't have these side effects I don't want to cost the Health service extra money and if I thought that the side effects would settle down I'd carry on with it I'll check with my nurse

[Scarlett]

Sounds like you absolutely shouldn't be taking it- why did she change it if your asthma is controlled? Cost is a big deal and they have probably been told to try to get people onto the cheaper inhaler. I have been told that Salbutamol is cheap as chips, and my steroid inhaler is about £25+, I was made to feel grateful for being allowed that one.

[jourdain2]

I also would speak to the nurse. I'm asthmatic and one gets used to a medication so it doesn't upset the throat etc..

[granny grump]

Thank you I'll ring and make an appointment - Just checked Fostair is £15.29 cheaper

[hc4361]

As far as I know the two inhalers are in a similar price bracket - around £28, unless you were on the higher dosage of Sirdupla (250mcg) which costs around £45.

It is definitely not a like for like swap - the ingredients are completely different

[wolf63]

One of my cats has an inhaler for his asthma. If I buy them through the vet the steroid one costs me about £70, cheaper (slightly) through the chemist. Flixotide was the name - I think.

The Ventolin inhaler is less than £10.

We/I gave up with the inhaler, cats tend to be non-compliant when it comes to medication. He is back on the Prednisolone talbets.

[granny grump]

thank you hc Very interesting Thank you for your comment Wolf63