Asthma - alternatives to ventolin

[Canshopwillshop]

I’m having a mare trying to keep on top of my teens and their asthma meds. Both are supposed to use a brown inhaler ((Beclometasone) twice daily and only use their blue ventolin occasionally if needed. I am constantly reminding them to take their brown inhalers. DS (13) is not too bad and will generally take it when I remind him but DD(15) just seems to have a mental block when it comes to the brown and uses her blue one daily!

I really need to get a grip on both of them. Any tips on how to make teens take their meds?

Also, are there any better alternatives to Ventolin? DS’s asthma has been quite bad lately despite taking his brown inhaler and the ventolin doesn’t seem to be as effective in helping his symptoms.

I’m obviously a bit worried about Coronavirus in all this so need to get on top of it all. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Bumping this because I have a DS who might be getting bad side effects from ventolin (although it may not be). We are finding it difficult to get his medication changed to find out.

OP - I think you just need to remind your teens. DS still needs daily ventolin despite taking a steroid inhaler.

@chaotica - thanks. I am trying with the reminders - DD is a nightmare though! I’ve tried to impress on her how important it is to keep on top of things with this horrible virus around.
I hope you get something sorted for your DS.

Asthmatics should ideally not need their ventolin daily. They are not well controlled if so. Guidelines say useage more than three times a week (unless unwell) for genuine symptoms needs a review.
Rather than swapping the ventolin, they need to either use their steroid inhaler twice daily, and if doing so religiously and still struggling, may need stepping up and swapping the steroid inhaler for a combined steroid/long acting reliever.

@cptartapp - I know, that’s my point. I’m trying to get them to use their brown inhalers religiously.

If they're not using them regularly then yes, that's your answer. Stick them next to their toothbrushes.
If they do and are still needing frequent ventolin they need a review with GP or asthma nurse with a view to stepping up. Sometimes inhaled steroids alone are not sufficient as a preventer.

@cptarpapp - thanks. Good idea to put the inhalers next to their toothbrushes!

Second putting next to toothbrushes. Myself and DD aged 8 always take ours before brushing teeth. It also helps if your inhaler causes a sore throat as one of mine did for a time.

Ask for symbicort it's a combined blue/brown (it's red itself!).

If the brown isn't working enough as preventative there are other ones. I used to have a green one and a red one

I second connecting taking inhalers with brushing teeth. This is what I do. I'd never forget to brush my teeth, so making taking my inhaler part of that routine is a good bet.

Also, I find that some of the steroid inhalers give me a sore mouth if I don't brush my teeth afterwards so that's another good reason to give this a try. I used to be very prone to mouth ulcers until I worked this out!

I came on to say keep them with toothbrushes so it becomes a habit. With most steroid inhalers you should rinse your mouth out after use anyway. If Ventolin is less effective there are other inhalers that combine steroids and longer lasting relievers - you use these twice a day but they should have a quicker effect than steroids (if I am making any sense).

Is their inhaler technique good? They should be using a spacer device, especially with the steroid inhalers, to maximise the efficacy.

I was also going to suggest putting by the toothbrushes and building it into the daily routine.

And yes to a spacer. You can buy small ones online for about £12. I’m not sure if you can get the small ones on prescription, they used to be enormous - you’d need a suitcase rather than a handbag to carry them round.

Oh thank you everyone. I’m definitely going to put inhalers by toothbrushes. We do have spacers which DS generally uses but not DD - I need to ensure she does. Hopefully once proper use of brown inhaler is established then they won’t need the ventolin. Thanks again.