A combination inhaler contains an inhaled steroid plus a long-acting bronchodilator, and sometimes a third medicine. They simplify treatment into one device — but the instructions differ substantially between brands, and using one the way you used the last is a common source of poor control.
They are preventers. Most are taken every day whether or not you have symptoms.
Some regimens using Fostair or Symbicort are prescribed as MART: maintenance and reliever therapy. You take a regular daily dose and use the same inhaler for symptom relief instead of a separate blue inhaler.
Rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after every dose. This prevents oral thrush and hoarseness, the commonest side effects.
Metered dose inhalers work far better with a spacer. Dry powder devices need a fast, deep breath in — the opposite of the slow steady breath a metered dose inhaler needs, which is why swapping device types without being shown the technique often goes wrong.
Ask us to check your technique. It takes two minutes and is one of the highest-value things we do.
Oral thrush, hoarseness, sore throat, headache, tremor and palpitations are the common ones.
Report worsening breathlessness, needing your reliever more often, or breathing that gets worse immediately after using the inhaler.
Needing a reliever three or more times a week means control is not good enough — book an asthma review rather than accepting it. Have a written asthma or COPD action plan, and an annual review.
Call 999 if you cannot speak in full sentences, your reliever is not helping, your lips look blue, or breathing is exhausting you.
1 Lyng Lane, West Bromwich B70 7RW · Mon–Fri 8:30am–6pm, Sat 9am–1pm · 0121 500 5756
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