Question for ashtmatics or anyone: Why has my inhaler been changed without consulting me?me? A

[PunishmentRoundupWithJoon]

I have been using a preventative inhaler called Clenil for years, the active ingredient is beclometasone. Just gone to order a new one to find it's no longer in my repeat medication - there's now something called Salamol. Looked it up and this is a different ingredient, salbutamol.

Does anyone know why the GP would suddenly have changed this without me having spoken to anyone recently? If this has happened do to cost measures or something, then other people will be finding the same thing, so wondering if I'm the only one!

Apologies for messing up the thread title - not sure what happened!

I thought ClenilModulite50 and salbutamol are two things.

one being preventative brown and the other being reliever blue.

citing from memory but will go and check the cupboard in a min…

Oh god, ignore my post, it's the ventolin they've changed! Looked it up and it's a 'greener' version of ventolin.

Sorry - I panicked!

Phew!

I could understand maybe swapping patients to a cheaper version of something that does the same thing, but that's an entirely different type of medication that does an entirely different thing, not a money-saving switch. You need to contact them to query this.

@Mykittensmittens - yes, you're right - it's the reliever inhaler they've changed. I saw the change and because I don't use ventolin much, presumed it was the Clenil that they'd changed. Still, I wish they'd let me know before doing this...

Could it be that the new one is deemed to be more effective, or as you say, more cost effective.

I did very well with a particular asthma medication and it was changed. The reason given was that it was an older medication and the new one was as effective. I was told about it though, so it wasn’t a surprise. I’ve just ordered a repeat of mine and am assuming it’s the same as usual.

Ah I see your update — yeah that's a straight switch, so if it works out okay for you it's not an issue. If you don't find that it works as well for you as Ventolin, though, you could ask to switch back.

Just seen the update. Problem solved!

Salamol contains about 1/3 less carbon emissions, that's why the swap. Our patients have all been swapped over from their usual reliever.

Thanks all! Appreciate your replies.