Fostair nextHaler dry powder inhaler experiences

[Starry4321]

I am currently on the pink Fostair inhaler. My asthma nurse said she wants to move me to the dry powder inhaler. She said due to government cuts Fostair puffer regular inhaler won’t be available to me anymore and I would need to switch to a different one regardless.

My asthma has been pretty well controlled on the Fostair inhaler (apart from a flare a month ago due to what I think was Covid) so I am a bit nervous about trying the dry powder inhaler.

Does anyone have any experience of this one?

Thank you so did you find your asthma was actually better controlled on the nexthaler in comparison to the original fostair puffer? That is reassuring.

I was put on the Dry powder Fostair a few years ago, couldn't get on with it at all, asthma exacerbated so my Asthma nurse put me back on aerosol Fostair. About 3 months ago this was changed to Luforbec as it's cheaper. It feels 'rough' as you inhale it and makes me cough afterwards but no other side effects.

I refuse to go back on that awful powder

@Starry4321 if you were to state that you didn't get on with it / had poorer control etc then theoretically they should put your health and well being first and continue to prescribe Fostair.

@Secondguess

@summerlovingvibes I've a question for you if you don't mind answering... Re: the fostair dry powder inhaler. I wonder how much of the powder is inhaled vs ending up in my mouth then rinsed out (my tongue feels gritty after inhaling). If you've any comments/tips etc I'd appreciate it, thanks.

With the dry powder you get about 80-85% of the drug to the lungs, the rest is lost in your mouth.

With a pump inhaler it's only about 35-40% of the drug to your lungs (unless you use a spacer in which case it's a lot more).

If you find the powder really sticks to your tongue, then I normally suggest patients have a sip of water first to make sure your mouth is quite wet, take the inhaler and then rinse. It won't make any more drug go to your lungs, but it will stop the sticking / gritty feeling.

With all inhalers they factor in the drug that is lost in the mouth. So they ensure that the dose given is what is needed to be that dose - if that makes. Sense.

There is another 2 inhalers which are identical with the dose but they are written differently - so one is 160/4.5 because that particular company state the drug that gets delivered to the lungs and the other company writes it as 200/6 because that is the dose dispensed - but you only end up with 160/4.5..

Complicated, but that's why I stick with the rule of it doesn't really matter what you are on, as long as it controls a your asthma.

Thank you @summerlovingvibes

@Starry4321 yes my asthma is much better controlled on the nexthaler compared to the aerosol. I noticed a huge difference the first time I used it. I seem to be able to inhale it deeper and I can feel it calming everything down immediately. That’s why I was so happy to drop the ventolin and use the nexthaler for prevention and relief, it’s just so much more effective for me

Really useful thread. Thank you.

I was changed to fostair. Started coughing. After three months went to the GP, was sent for a chest x-ray. All clear. Still kept coughing. Luckily I was due an asthma clinic check with the nurse. I asked if it could be the change from seretide to fostair. She said other patients had issues with the fostair. She put me back on the seretide and the cough ceased.