For people with poorly controlled asthma, combination inhalers are another medication option. These inhalers contain a mixture of preventer/controller medication with a form of slow-acting reliever medication. People requiring a combination inhaler should be reviewed regularly by their healthcare professional.
Reliever inhalers relax your airways, which help breathlessness, but they do not treat airway inflammation. As well as the relaxing effect of a reliever inhaler, you need the anti-inflammatory effect of a preventer/controller. A combination inhaler provides both forms of medication in one go. Once the airways are less inflamed, they are less sensitive to triggers such as cigarette smoke and viral infections.
Examples of combination medication
- Fluticasone and Salmeterol (e.g. Seretide )
- Fluticasone furoate and vilanterol (e.g. Relvar Ellipta)
- Fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol) (e.g. Trelegy Ellipta)
Possible side effects of combination inhalers
The inhaled steroid in combination inhalers may sometimes cause;
- Hoarseness
- A sore throat
- Oral thrush
These side effects can be reduced by making sure you use your inhaler correctly, use a spacer device, rinse your mouth and spit. Wipe your face after taking medication if using a spacer with a mask.
It is important to read the side effects on the leaflet that comes with your combination inhaler, as there are additional medications with specific side effects that you need to be aware of. Why is my reliever inhaler not enough?
Reliever inhalers relax your airways, which help asthma symptoms, but they do not treat airway inflammation. As well as the relaxing effect of a reliever inhaler, you need the anti-inflammatory effect of a preventer. Once the airways are less inflamed, they are less sensitive to triggers such as cigarette smoke and viral infections.
Do I really need to take my controller inhaler every day?
Yes, always take your combination inhaler as prescribed by your healthcare professional. To work properly, preventers need to be taken every day, usually morning and evening, even if you are feeling well. The protective effect of the preventer medicine builds up gradually.
Once this protection is working, occasionally forgetting to take your inhaler will usually not have any major effects. But forgetting or stopping for several days at a time will mean you lose your protection