Expert: Marc Rubin, RPh Asthma Educator - 8/11/2010

Question
QUESTION: Dear Doctor,
Could you please let me know whether
1) ventolin and Foracort 100 can be used at a same time?
2) Ventolin and Flixotide can be used at a same time?

Thanks...

ANSWER: Hello Suresh,

Both Foracort and Flixotide are "maintenance" medications which are to be used every day to keep control of the lung inflammation. Ventolin is a medication that opens up the airways by relaxing the muscles of the airways. It is used as 1) primarily a "rescue" therapy when having an asthma attack, and also 2) a pre-treatment before exercise or any physically exerting stress that could potentially trigger an asthma attack. The Ventolin lasts generally between 4 to 6 hours.

Flixotide is an in inhalation steroid taken daily to reduce lung inflammation. Foracort has a different steroid, PLUS a long-acting form of albuterol, and is a step up from Flixotide. It is used when the Flixotide does not adequately control the asthma episodes. You would not use both Flixotide and Foracort.

Feel free to get back to me if you need further assistance.

Sincerely,

Marc

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Doctor,
Thanks very Much for your kind and detailed reply.Both Foracort and Flixotide are used by me and my son. But we are not using Ventolin. We both are having cough for more than a month.But dont find any improvement. Now my question is, Is it good to use ventolin  just before using maintenance medicine to get complete cure from cough.

Thanks...

Answer
Hi Suresh,

Yes, you can use the Ventolin prior to the treatment, but I think something else is going on here. You and your son's asthma control is diminished, and it is probably due to increased triggers at this time of year. Here in the US, August and September are the worst months of the year for asthma. I don't know your specific environment, but here, a lot has to do with this time of year the weeds enter pollination stage. Add that to rains causing higher mold counts, and the asthma attack rate soars. You may be having the same situation there.

What you need to do is meet with your doctor and re-evaluate your control status. In all likelihood, you and your son will need increased dosing ( Moving from Flixotide to Foracort for one of you, and either increasing the Foracort dose, or adding on additional medication for the other. Another consideration would be adding a steroid nasal spray for both of you. If the sinuses are flaring up, they will trigger the lungs also. Then if all this goes well, re-evaluate in November to see about stepping back to the prior therapy.

Hope this helps!

Sincerely,

Marc