Preventer Inhalers
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Preventer inhalers are used to treat chronic asthma. They need to be used on a daily basis to prevent asthma symptoms such as wheezing and coughing as well as dangerous asthma attacks. Preventer inhalers can contain corticosteroids to reduce inflammation as well as a long-acting bronchodilator (a medicine which keeps your airways open). They can contain one ingredient or a combination of two active substances.
We offer a fast and safe way of buying your preventer inhaler without seeing your GP. To place your order fill in our brief questionnaire. Our online doctor will review your order and confirm whether you can continue your treatment. We offer all common inhalers, for example Fostair, Seretide and Pulmicort. Prescription and delivery are free.
| Symbicort inhaler | from £100 |
| Seretide inhaler | from £60 |
| Pulmicort inhaler | from £40 |
| Fostair inhaler | from £100 |
| Clenil modulite inhaler | from £30 |
Prices include prescription and delivery.
In a hurry? Choose Click and Collect and pick up your order after just 3 hours from a Superdrug Pharmacy.
Our service
How our service works
Complete a short questionnaire about your health.
Order and pay for your inhalers.
A Superdrug Online Doctor will approve appropriate treatment.
Delivery information
Orders received before 4pm will be sent out the same day. Orders received after 4pm will be sent out the next working day.
Your inhalers will be posted to you via your choice of standard or next day delivery.
Someone will need to sign for the delivery, otherwise it will be held at your local post office.
Order & Collect (our same day in-store pick up service) is also available in selected Superdrug stores (for Ventolin reliever inhalers only).
Please note; where a generic product has been ordered we may use a range of manufacturers in order to provide you with your medication, in order to maintain our service levels.
Preventer asthma inhalers
What are preventer inhalers for?
Preventer inhalers are usually prescribed if a reliever inhaler such as salbutamol does not suffice to control your asthma symptoms. This may be the case if you are experiencing symptoms at night or if you suffer from asthma symptoms more than three times a week. You may also be prescribed a preventer inhaler if you suffer serious asthma attacks or if you have to use your reliever inhaler several times a week.Preventer inhalers do not usually provide fast relief from symptoms but when used over a long period of time they prevent symptoms and asthma attacks. Some preventer inhalers, however, can also be used to treat acute symptoms. Your GP will advise you on how and when to use your inhaler when you receive your original prescription.
How do they work?
How your inhaler works depends on which ingredients it contains. It may contain a steroid or a long-acting bronchodilator or a combination of the two medicines. Long-acting bronchodilators dilate your airways, making it easier for you to breathe. Inhalers which contain steroids reduce your risk of asthma symptoms by reducing swelling and inflammation in the lungs.
How quickly do preventer inhalers work?
How long it takes for your inhaler to reduce your asthma symptoms depends on which inhaler you are using. It can take up to 5 - 14 days before you notice that you suffer less symptoms and that you don’t need to use your salbutamol inhaler as frequently.
It is very important that you use your preventer inhaler on a daily basis - even if you feel better - as it won’t work otherwise. Before you stop using your preventer inhaler you need to ask your GP to assess whether it is safe for you to change your medication.
The brown inhaler
Brown inhalers are a type of preventer inhaler, which contains a steroid. Like other preventer medication, brown inhalers have to be used on a daily basis. Your GP will decide which brown inhaler is best for you and tell you how often you need to use it. It is important that you follow your GP’s instructions carefully. You must not stop using your brown inhaler unless your GP has advised you to, even if your symptoms have improved.
Brown inhalers include:
Qvar Autohaler
Which side effects does the brown inhaler cause?
Like most other medications, the brown inhalers can cause side effects in some patients. This includes allergic reactions, fungal infections of the mouth and a hoarse voice. In some cases, side effects such as nausea, tiredness and weight loss have been reported, as well as insomnia, depression and restlessness. For a full list of all known side effects, read the patient leaflet which comes with your inhaler.
Does the brown inhaler interact with alcohol?
There is no known interaction between alcohol and the brown inhalers. Depending on which inhaler you are using, it may contain a small amount of alcohol.
Preventer inhaler colours
The brown inhaler is not the only preventer inhaler. Other preventer inhalers are:
Purple inhaler
Seretide
Red Inhaler
Fostair
White and red inhaler
Symbicort
White and brown inhaler
Pulmicort
Your GP will decide which medication you require. Depending on how well your medication works for you, your GP may change your asthma inhaler or the dosage you take on a daily basis.
Steroid inhaler side effects
As most prescription medications, preventer inhalers can cause side effects.
The most common side effects associated with using a steroid inhaler are:
- a fungal infection of the throat and mouth
- a hoarse voice
- a sore throat
Your GP will always prescribe the lowest dose required to control your asthma. You are more likely to experience side effects if you need to take a high dose of medicine.
Most people who use a preventer inhaler find, that they do not experience any serious side effects.
There are a number of things you can do to reduce the risk of side effects:
- rinse your mouth and brush your teeth after using your preventer inhaler
- use an inhaler spacer (this will help you inhale the correct amount of medicine and ensure that you don’t need to change your dosage due to an inefficient inhaler technique)
- make sure you understand how to use your inhaler correctly
- use a breath activated inhaler if you
Steroids for asthma
Steroid inhalers are usually prescribed to asthma patients who have to use their reliever inhaler more than three times a week or who experience symptoms at night.
Your doctor will work with you to establish the lowest dose required to effectively prevent your asthma symptoms.
In patients who suffer from severe asthma, preventer inhalers can be insufficient to get symptoms under control. When preventer inhalers fail to control asthma effectively, patients are sometimes prescribed steroid tablets instead of a preventer inhaler.
Steroid tablets are usually prescribed for a short period of time to get symptoms under control before continuing treatment with an inhaler. In rare cases, asthma patients are prescribed steroid tablets at a low dose on an ongoing basis.
Use our online assessment to order treatment. A Superdrug Online Doctor will review your order and approve appropriate treatment.