Asthma medications: Advair Diskus, Singulair, Tafen Novolizer...

Hey everyone!

I did a little digging and it seems like there aren't many threads about asthma here, aside from one pathetic one. I’ve dealt with asthma since I was a kid, though back then—until I hit puberty—it was mostly attacks (both at night and during the day) where I’d just run completely out of air... basically, I couldn't breathe at all. Back then, they told me I had something like spasmodic bronchitis, but nobody ever actually used the word ASTHMA. During that time, I used some Lamy spray twice a day for a year and everything just cleared up... I mean, I went through puberty and it settled down completely... except for the occasional flare-up in dusty rooms... (turns out I have a dust mite allergy). Anyway... after I turned 20, it started again... but this time in the form of COUGHING.. and I didn't even realize it was the same thing as ASTHMA... until I went to a clinic in New York City for some general checkups and they gave me that provocation test. And they tell me: "Look, it's a textbook case of asthma." Grade 2/3 (out of 4). So, my pulmonologist prescribes Advair Diskus and tells me my asthma is currently in the COUGH VARIANT (because I feel suffocated and have to cough every time I lie down in bed)... and after three months of using it, everything calmed down again... After that, my doctor in Santa Barbara prescribed Singulair tablets, which act like anti-allergics but work for asthma too, not just rhinitis. I've been taking them every day since month four, and lately, my condition has worsened. Maybe it's because I moved to a new suburban neighborhood... or maybe it's something else... regardless, they don't seem to be helping anymore. Has anyone else taken Singulair? I'm thinking about stopping... and what is this Tafen drug? I've never heard of it... so let me know if you know anything... By the way, my pulmonologist in NYC said: "No one has actually treated your asthma until now... but I'll give you the medicine (Advair Diskus)." WTF?! Anyway, the medication is insanely expensive... unless you have supplemental insurance, and I realized no one ever mentioned it to me for those exact reasons... damn, health is expensive. For instance, a pharmacy in Santa Barbara had one in stock, while others already had to order it in... they're really saving money there. Great. While we suffer, nobody informs us... and all that. As for VENTOLIN, I saw in a previous thread that people are poorly informed and think it's just a temporary fix... it doesn't cure or prevent anything. I've only used it a few times and now I avoid it because I'm afraid I won't be able to function without it later, though my doctors say I'm wrong and that I'm just suffering for nothing. So, yeah, that's the deal... 🙂

My dear brother and I both deal with asthma, and we’ve cycled through just about everything—from Ventolin to the Advair Diskus—but nothing seemed to really hit the mark. Now, we’ve both switched over to Symbicort, and honestly, it’s been a game changer; it manages to shut down all our asthma attacks effectively.
In principle, Tafen is quite similar to the Flovent and Seretide inhalers, as they are all corticosteroids.
As for the cost, once the new insurance formulary kicks in, things should shift—for instance, Symbicort will likely become pretty affordable in terms of the co-pay...

I’ve been dealing with chronic asthma for a while now—using Ventolin and two Serevent inhalers, plus I tried Singulair once. It actually helped, but the side effects were brutal; I dealt with constant headaches and diarrhea, and so on. Basically, it was a total wash.
I’ve also started coughing like crazy lately, so reading your posts feels like looking in a mirror.
I haven't heard of this Tafen stuff, but what I'm currently using isn't doing much of anything. The only thing that actually works—and only when I start feeling like I'm suffocating—is Ventolin.

I’ve also started coughing like crazy lately, so reading your posts feels like looking in a mirror, I guess.

"
I haven't heard of this Tafen stuff, but what I'm currently using isn't exactly a miracle worker... the only thing that actually works for me, and only once I start "suffocating," is Ventolin.

Look, I don't know if you've seen a pulmonologist recently, but I think you probably should... Ventolin isn't really a cure; it's just a quick fix. Asthma is basically chronic bronchial inflammation, so it needs actual treatment. In my opinion, Advair Diskus is pretty much the gold standard globally for managing asthma. It helped me a ton, and honestly, I might have to go back on it soon. I'll have to check with my doctor first. Anyway, Advair Diskus is actually a combination of two different medications. One is a bronchodilator and the other is an anti-inflammatory. It's a powder inhaler, so there's no propellant gas involved... the only downside is that it can make your voice sound a bit raspy if you aren't careful, so you really need to rinse your mouth out well with water after using it. It definitely worked for me... I used it for three months, more than seven months ago. As for this Symbicort, you should look into exactly what's in it. I'm going to do some digging myself. Anyway, these types of medications contain corticosteroids, which has caused a lot of debate, but in our case, they aren't dangerous since the dosage is tiny and inhaled directly into the lungs (it doesn't enter your bloodstream).

"Using Symbicort with an adjustable maintenance dose offers better asthma control than sticking to a fixed dose of either Seretide or Symbicort."

"Compared to Seretide, using Symbicort with variable dosing reduces severe asthma attacks by 40%."

=Basically, switching to Symbicort with adjustable dosing—meaning you adjust it as needed or whatever your doctor decides—cuts down on those major flare-ups by 40% when you compare it to Seretide.

I've been on Advair Diskus for two years now. I started at 500mg twice a day, then moved down to 250mg twice a day, and now we're gradually tapering off... For me, it’s worked like magic. Since I started this regimen, I haven't needed my Ventolin once, nor have I had a single minor attack. My test results have been absolutely fantastic.
But, of course, everyone is different. I actually tried switching over to Symbicort, but the Ventolin dosage in it was just too intense for me, so we had to stop. That said, Symbicort might be the better option for some, since the Ventolin it contains means you can use it for quick relief during an asthma attack—something you just can't do with Advair Diskus.

Mark Brooks87 said:I've been on Advair Diskus for two years now. I started at 500mg twice a day, then dropped to 250mg twice a day, and now we're slowly tapering off... Honestly, it worked like magic for me. Since I started using it, I haven't touched my Ventolin once, nor have I had a single minor attack, and my test results look fantastic.
But I guess everything is individual. I tried switching over to Symbicort, but the Ventolin dosage in it felt too strong for me, so we stopped. Though, strictly speaking, Symbicort might be the better option since the Ventolin it contains allows you to use it during an actual asthma attack, which isn't really the case with Advair Diskus.

I see... Well, from what I've read online, Advair Diskus is always considered the number one choice for asthma. And wait, Symbicort actually has Ventolin in it? That doesn't sound quite right to me... I only took Advair Diskus 250mg once a day for about three months. Maybe I shouldn't have quit entirely back then; maybe I should have just scaled down to 100 or something... Since I have the cough variant. Lately, though, I've been feeling pretty suffocated at night when I lie down... uh... 😢

^ I'm concerned that the three-month regimen of Seretide 250 once a day might not be enough to truly stabilize my bronchi...

I’ve actually been dealing with asthma since I was just a little kid—it’s been part of my life forever. Back in the day, I was using Becotide and Ventolin constantly, though I eventually had to ditch the Ventolin because it triggered an allergic reaction in me; now, I just use Atrovent on an as-needed basis instead. Thank God, I rarely find myself needing it lately. When I was small, though, the attacks were almost a daily occurrence—it was exhausting. I remember being rushed to the hospital for IV treatments at least once a week back then... but fast forward to now, and it’s been years of nothing. Currently, I’m on Flovent. I haven't seen my doctor in quite a while, so I end up managing my own dosage—which I know isn't exactly the "proper" way to do things, but honestly, until I feel a real need, I can't bring myself to go see a physician. I usually start my regimen during the fall and autumn months, but since I'm feeling so good right now, I haven't even started taking it yet this season!

Mark Brooks87 said:^ I'm worried that the three-month plan of taking 250mg once a day isn't actually enough to get my bronchi stabilized...

Hmm... I don't know. That’s just what they told me. I guess doctors usually know what they're doing. Maybe when they see me again, they'll just stick to the same prescription anyway...

Aaron Walker9 said:hmm.. I don't know.. that's just what they told me.. I guess doctors know what they're doing.. anyway.. maybe when they see me again they'll just give me the same thing...

Look, you absolutely cannot judge a medication based solely on its "brand name"—you know, that fancy trademarked label? If you look closely at the box or the inhaler, you'll see that little "R" in a circle. That’s the giveaway.
More often than not, behind those flashy commercial names lies a "generic" version—which is actually the exact same drug, containing identical active ingredients.
That is why, whenever we are asking about a specific medication, the only correct way to do it is to ask for its GENERIC NAME—its actual active substances. However, since that level of detail is usually reserved for doctors or pharmacists, you shouldn't go playing chemist on your own without consulting a professional.
The commercial name is basically a smokescreen—a way to hide the reality—whereas the information on the packaging regarding dosage represents the INN (the non-proprietary name). While this name is widely recognized, it isn't technically the "generic" name yet, because, scientifically speaking, active substances are most accurately identified by their chemical nomenclature.
This is precisely why we frequently end up having these confusing discussions on forums where people are talking about two different names for the exact same drug.
We all carry our own set of misconceptions, and it is vital to clear them up through discussion so that these misunderstandings don't snowball into even bigger problems than the ones we are already dealing with.
For instance, my own mistake was thinking a single test result meant I had asthma, then the next one suggested it was just allergic issues rather than chronic asthma, only for us to finally discover it was actually COPD. Even specialists can get it wrong sometimes, let alone the rest of us. As for Seretide, there has been plenty of talk about it on this site (if you use the search function for "asthma," you'll find my previous posts on the subject).
Basically, Seretide is:
a) Fluticasone... which is a corticosteroid
b) Salmeterol (the substance that acts as an anti-inflammatory).
Overall, it's been one of the better options so far, but let's not kid ourselves—even small doses of corticosteroids can be quite harmful over the long term and often require increasing dosages over time. It is a huge misconception to think that inhaling a drug doesn't cause systemic effects or enter your bloodstream. Everything we breathe in, MOSTLY ends up in the blood (just think about the impact of smoking).
You really need to stay updated on global medical advancements, which often hit close to home, especially regarding asthma. Check out:www.pharmacy.com
There are several new studies currently underway globally aimed specifically at finding substitutes for corticosteroids to eliminate their side effects—especially the systemic ones seen during pulse therapy for severe asthma attacks.
That certainly offers a glimmer of hope for everyone dealing with everything from obstructive lung diseases to asthma.

I know exactly what an Advair Diskus is... but honestly, it hasn't been much help. If things don't change, this cough is going to be the death of me.

Winter is going to be brutal for me—that's always the worst part. Any shift from warm to cold triggers an attack immediately, no exceptions.😢

Noah Vaughn3 said:I know what that is, and I know Advair Diskus... but it hasn't really helped much—if it did, this cough wouldn't be trying to suffocate me.

Winter is going to be absolutely brutal for me—that’s my biggest nightmare. Moving from a warm room to the freezing cold? Boom, immediate attack. No exceptions.😢

Watch out for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like Voltaren, Ibuprofen, and especially Aspirin)—they can be a massive trigger for asthma attacks, particularly when winter hits.
If you absolutely have to take something for a cold, stick to Tylenol if you can.
And look, always check with your doctor before you try anything.
From what I've gathered, there's a new drug on the horizon (it's actually already registered) that targets the actual root causes of asthma and airway obstruction. It's peptide-based, which is a total game-changer because we haven't seen anything like it until now—it essentially works by gradually reducing breathing resistance and clearing out the lungs. I'm currently trying to track it down.
As for moving from warmth to the cold: do it gradually. Take deep breaths before you step outside or walk into a different temperature zone, then exhale slowly. Do that cycle at least three times until your bronchi get used to the shift—it helps prevent that sudden, violent constriction.
That's my routine, and I do it religiously.👍
Best,

redcrane6 said:Watch out for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like Voltaren, Ibuprofen, and especially Aspirin)—they can be a massive trigger for asthma attacks, particularly when winter hits.
If you absolutely have to take something for a cold, stick to Tylenol if you can.
And look, always check with your doctor before you try anything.
From what I've gathered, there's a new drug on the horizon (it's actually already registered) that targets the actual root causes of asthma and airway obstruction. It's peptide-based, which is a total game-changer because we haven't seen anything like it until now—it essentially works by gradually reducing breathing resistance and clearing out the lungs. I'm currently trying to track it down.
As for moving from warmth to the cold: do it gradually. Take deep breaths before you step outside or walk into a different temperature zone, then exhale slowly. Do that cycle at least three times until your bronchi get used to the shift—it helps prevent that sudden, violent constriction.
That's my routine, and I do it religiously.👍
Best,

So, which specific medication are we talking about?

I've been dealing with asthma since I was seven years old. It flared up quite a bit during my teenage years, though things eventually settled down significantly. For a while, I was using Advair Diskus, and honestly, it worked wonders—I didn't even need to touch my Ventolin during that stretch. Now, however, my pulmonologist has switched me over to Tafen Novolizer. Since I'm planning to get pregnant, I have to move away from using Seretide. So far, Tafen hasn't really proven its worth; I've had a few attacks, albeit milder ones. Perhaps it'll start performing better once I've been on it longer.
I suspect Tafen Novolizer might be one of those newer medications, as my doctor mentioned it's relatively recent to the market, but who knows? There might be other options out there.

Thanks, but does anyone here actually have any experience using Symbicort?

Michael Newman18 said:Thanks, but does anyone here actually have any experience using Symbicort?

I’ve dealt with asthma since birth, though I don't get those "classic" attacks—it’s more like allergic asthma. Dust, mites, pet dander... that kind of thing. It stays with me year-round regardless of pollen counts or whatever. Summer is the only time things feel slightly easier. Usually, I just rely on Claritin tablets to deal with that miserable morning sneezing and congestion... honestly, if I could just stop sneezing my head off first thing in the morning, I might actually be able to breathe, but even with the Claritin, it's still 🙏 🙏
Anyway, I’ve cycled through just about every asthma med out there—truly, everything—and nothing has really been a game-changer. A few months back, I had some lung inflammation that combined with my asthma, and god, it was awful. I couldn't catch my breath at all; my eyes were constantly watering... easily the worst moments of my life. My pulmonologist put me on Symbicort, twice a day. And I will say, it helped. It made breathing easier. It wasn't a long-term fix for me then, but it provided enough relief when it mattered.
I used it for maybe two months and then stopped. Now, I just use it as needed—kind of like how I use Ventolin. If I’m really struggling, I take an inhaler and that’s that. Though, personally, I find it much safer than Ventolin, which can be pretty sketchy if you aren't careful...

Symbicort is the gold standard. Since I started taking it twice a day, my shortness of breath has completely vanished. Out of all the medications I’ve tried over the last 20 years—and believe me, I’ve tried them all—Symbicort is by far the most effective. I wouldn't recommend relying on Ventolin, though; using it constantly can be hard on your heart. My pulmonologist, Dr. Raos, based out of the suburban neighborhood, is truly the best in the business.

Kyle Diaz28 said:Symbicort is the gold standard. Since I started taking it twice a day, my shortness of breath has completely vanished. Out of all the medications I’ve tried over the last 20 years—and believe me, I’ve tried them all—Symbicort is by far the most effective. I wouldn't recommend relying on Ventolin, though; using it constantly can be hard on your heart. My pulmonologist, Dr. Raos, based out of the suburban neighborhood, is truly the best in the business.

I wasn't aware of that. I mean, I knew it was risky if you exceeded the recommended dosage, but I hadn't considered it being an issue with regular use.
For me, things have actually improved since switching to Tafen.

I've been dealing with asthma since I was two years old.
I've cycled through Serevent, Ventolin, Flovent, Seretide, and Singulair.
As you can tell, I've had my fair share of experience with this stuff—unfortunately. 👎
But anyway, I have a question:
I didn't take any meds this summer because I wasn't doing anything active. Today I went out for a little rollerblading and ended up having a major asthma attack. It was bad... imagine if I had actually gone for a run.
I don't have any allergies or anything; my asthma just "activates" whenever I push myself physically. Now that I’m planning to start running, I’m definitely going to need my meds again. I'm also starting a diet, so I wanted to ask:
1. Is Singulair a corticosteroid, and what has your experience been like with it? When I first started taking it, it seemed to do the trick perfectly, but once my body got used to it, it became almost totally useless.
2. Does Singulair cause an increased appetite or lead directly to weight gain?
3. Regarding Ventolin—is it actually a corticosteroid, and does it increase appetite or cause weight gain?
One more thing. I'm 19, and this really shouldn't be happening—whenever someone yells too loud or I get startled, my heart starts racing and hurting, like, REALLY hurts. Could this be because of the corticosteroids I've been taking basically my whole life (especially the Serevent), and what should I do about it?
Is anyone else going through this??

Anyway, I'm seeing Dr. Raos, and he was the one who recommended Singulair...
Is there anything new on the market that's actually healthier than Singulair??

Thanks for any help. 🙂