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

Enkorten is still currently in the testing phase, and specifically just in Canada. It’s being developed for MS.

The stuff you're taking right now is basically a classic cocktail for asthma, regardless of what the doctors choose to call your condition.

Is difficulty breathing actually a defining characteristic of asthma?

Hey everyone, I’m honestly just glad someone is finally hosting actual, serious conversations about asthma here—you know, stuff backed by medical facts instead of just random hearsay and rumors...
I've been dealing with bronchitis since I was five years old. It all started with some pretty nasty allergies that were a nightmare for a hyper kid. Back then, therapy was basically just Dihalar syrup and using Ventolin whenever things got rough. I stuck with the Ventolin routine all the way through until now, but by the time puberty hit, that bronchitis had basically evolved into full-blown asthma. For two years, I was on the Advair Diskus 250, which definitely helped me breathe easier, but I ended up quitting it on my own because of the side effects... I kept getting this white powder buildup on my tongue and in my throat, which eventually turned into fungal issues. So, I was constantly dealing with Mycostatin and just a general sense of misery. It was gross, plus my throat felt perpetually dry and I was getting sick all the time. Once I stopped taking it, my condition actually got worse after about a year. They put me back on Seretide for a bit, but now I’ve finally been on Alvesco for over a year, and man, I am beyond happy with it. Total lifesaver! My attacks have dropped significantly and I don't have that weird buildup in my mouth anymore. 🙂
The only downside is that I'm in Canada and Alvesco isn't even on the standard drug list here, so it's super expensive... but honestly, it's worth every penny...
Also, during the time I was taking Singulair, it totally wrecked my immune system...

Andrew Diaz5 said:Hey everyone, I’m honestly just glad someone is finally hosting actual, serious conversations about asthma here—you know, stuff backed by medical facts instead of just random hearsay and rumors...
I've been dealing with bronchitis since I was five years old. It all started with some pretty nasty allergies that were a nightmare for a hyper kid. Back then, therapy was basically just Dihalar syrup and using Ventolin whenever things got rough. I stuck with the Ventolin routine all the way through until now, but by the time puberty hit, that bronchitis had basically evolved into full-blown asthma. For two years, I was on the Advair Diskus 250, which definitely helped me breathe easier, but I ended up quitting it on my own because of the side effects... I kept getting this white powder buildup on my tongue and in my throat, which eventually turned into fungal issues. So, I was constantly dealing with Mycostatin and just a general sense of misery. It was gross, plus my throat felt perpetually dry and I was getting sick all the time. Once I stopped taking it, my condition actually got worse after about a year. They put me back on Seretide for a bit, but now I’ve finally been on Alvesco for over a year, and man, I am beyond happy with it. Total lifesaver! My attacks have dropped significantly and I don't have that weird buildup in my mouth anymore. 🙂
The only downside is that I'm in Canada and Alvesco isn't even on the standard drug list here, so it's super expensive... but honestly, it's worth every penny...
Also, during the time I was taking Singulair, it totally wrecked my immune system...

Hey Andrew Diaz5!
Thanks for sharing your story. I'm also in Canada dealing with the exact same diagnosis. Right now, I'm on Seretide 250 and it really keeps my lungs under control, but I’m having major throat issues: it feels like there’s constant mucus stuck in my throat that irritates me and triggers coughing fits. On the bright side, my spirometry results look like an athlete's. I used Alvesco for two years too, but I still found myself reaching for Ventolin just as often, though I didn't deal with these specific side effects.
Today I got prescribed a new regimen: Flovent 250 Diskus + Singulair, so now I'm torn—should I give this a shot or just stick with Alvesco?
Have you had any throat issues since switching to Alvesco? Also, how long were you on Singulair, and what was your take on it?

Best,

Singulair is the gold standard; I recently finished a course with it and didn't experience any side effects, though I did make a massive mistake by picking up smoking again. I’ve since quit, but that was a setback that still haunts me—even though my test results are looking much better lately. The only thing that really gets to me now is during heavy physical exertion, like when I'm out for a long run, but my doctor insists it's just because my cardio is currently in terrible shape. :/..
Basically, I'm currently using this other medication that comes in a similar inhaler format to Ventolin (except the casing is red), but honestly, it feels significantly weaker than both Ventolin and Singulair. It's not like I've ever had a massive attack where I couldn't catch my breath; it was mostly just constant, nagging coughing..
By the way, while I was on Singulair, I was also using Tafen Novolizer and Nasonex, all of which were pretty mild stuff...
Edit: Just realized I'm posting in the "Women's Health" subforum, and I'm a guy. Lol...

Hey there, fellow asthma warriors.
-I’ve got a relatively mild case of asthma, and honestly, I've been allergic to just about everything since I can remember. I wanted to touch on how serious asthma and allergies actually are. They aren't just minor inconveniences; they wreck your quality of life. It mostly comes down to that inability to take a full, deep breath. And we all know that if you aren't breathing properly, you aren't living fully. The real issue here is insufficient lung capacity leading to oxygen deprivation in the brain, which causes your body to produce less serotonin. Low serotonin triggers a whole host of issues—anxiety, depression, a total lack of willpower, physical exhaustion, heightened sensitivity, low pain tolerance, fatigue, and so on. It even leads to various sexual issues, like difficulties for women or premature ejaculation in men. Basically, you just don't feel comfortable in your own skin.
I personally struggled with every single one of those serotonin-related issues. Eventually, I saw a psychiatrist, and he prescribed an SSRI—you know, those much-maligned antidepressants. Within three months, my lung function jumped from 70% to 95% on a spirometry test, with a Feno of 13. My lung health had been declining for years, so this was the first time in my life they actually showed improvement. Just to be clear, I also use Advair Diskus and stay active with sports.
-My doctor explained that this makes sense because antidepressants help relax the central nervous system. When that system is hypersensitive, it overreacts to normal things—whether that's anxiety, social phobias, or even just common allergies like pollen or dust.
I really want to emphasize that our lungs are the core of our self-confidence. Every single person with allergies or asthma I've ever met seems to struggle with insecurity. They lack confidence, and let's face it, life is pretty miserable without it. So, maybe our main issue isn't just the lungs, but an overactive nervous system. We need to find ways to calm it down or strengthen it (like using antidepressants). We have to go to the root of the problem, and that might just be our heads.😉
-Also, deep breathing—diaphragmatic breathing—affects the body in much the same way as an antidepressant. But it won't do much good if your lungs are too weak to handle it. So, my plan is to get my lung capacity up to 100% and then constantly focus on diaphragmatic breathing until it becomes second nature. Once that happens, we can finally LIVE WITH FULL LUNGS, WITH CONFIDENCE, AND POSITIVELY. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Hey, I could really use some help here. My doctor just wrote me a prescription for Tafen Novolizer (Budelin), but apparently, it’s nowhere to be found in the US or even over in Canada. Word is there might be a shortage?

Does anyone have any leads on how I can actually track down some Tafen Novolizer? Thanks.

So, they're pulling Tafen Novolizer, but Budelin is still being processed and should hit pharmacies by the end of the week. Since Medical is the importer, you'll likely see it in their locations first.
I just couldn't wait any longer, so after searching fruitlessly for days, I ended up driving over to Canada to pick some up...

Hey, just let me know where exactly you picked up the Budelin, and what kind of price we're looking at? Also, do you actually need a prescription for it, or is just showing them your medical history enough? Thanks a ton

In Brežice, there’s a pharmacy right inside the community health center. (Once you cross the bridge, take the second roundabout, then turn left, and it'll be the second or third one on your right. You can't miss it.)
It's 19 dollars, and just showing them your medical history should be enough.
(There are a few pharmacies in the area, but when I searched for 'Brežice pharmacy' on Google, this one popped up first with the map, so they were my first call.)

I really need some help if anyone here knows what they're doing
so I just got this Advair Diskus
2x1

The thing is, my little one is still nursing
can I even take these two together?...

Rebecca Carter5 said:I really need some help if anyone here knows what they're doing
so I just got this Advair Diskus
2x1

The thing is, my little one is still nursing
can I even take these two together?...

It’s literally written right there on the medication instructions.

And honestly, it’s pretty much like any other situation where you really ought to go talk to your doctor first before making moves...
I actually thought maybe someone here had dealt with this exact thing before, since there are so many people dealing with asthma in these groups, and there's probably a few moms in the mix too who might know...
But whatever, I guess I'll just keep Googling and searching for actual personal stories...

Rebecca Carter5 said:And honestly, it’s pretty much like any other situation where you really ought to go talk to your doctor first before making moves...
I actually thought maybe someone here had dealt with this exact thing before, since there are so many people dealing with asthma in these groups, and there's probably a few moms in the mix too who might know...
But whatever, I guess I'll just keep Googling and searching for actual personal stories...

I don't doubt for a second that whatever doctor prescribed the medication was already fully aware of the situation regarding the kid and weighed the benefits against any potential risks accordingly.
Besides, most inhaled meds—including Advair Diskus—are designed to work topically, meaning they hit the target organ directly so the effect is maximized while systemic absorption, and therefore those nasty side effects, stays kept to an absolute minimum.

Does anyone know if Singulair causes weight gain?

rapidcanyon5 said:Does anyone know if Singulair causes weight gain?

I would love to blame my extra pounds on it, but honestly? No, Singulair doesn't cause weight gain.

rapidcanyon5 said:Does anyone know if Singulair causes weight gain?

Well, look, people have definitely tried to link it to weight gain, but honestly, some researchers think any obesity seen in folks taking montelukast is more about the underlying condition itself—you know, dealing with asthma usually means you aren't exactly running marathons every day.

When it comes to putting on pounds, the math is pretty straightforward: you gain weight when you eat more than you burn. 🧐

I highly doubt a single pill of Singulair packs more than 2 calories.🤔

Hey everyone! 🎉
I see this thread is getting pretty lively, but I’ve got a few lingering questions about asthma, so if anyone else is still lurking here, I'd love some advice (if you actually know 😉).
Basically, I'm wondering if my primary care doctor is allowed to switch up my asthma treatment plan, or is that strictly something for a specialist?
After doing a bit of deep diving into asthma stuff, I realized that my "highly esteemed pulmonologist/allergist" hasn't actually done a great job managing things so far. For about ten years, I was just stuck using Ventolin, and then for the next fifteen, it was nothing but Serevent. Now, my GP wants to overhaul my therapy, and I'm questioning if she’s even permitted to do that. Looking online, people seem to rave about Tafen, Singulair, and Seretide (though they do mention some side effects with the latter two). Reading up on the active ingredients in each—according to the "internet experts," anyway—it sounds like Tafen Novolizer might be the top tier option. What do you all think? I really don't want my doctor to just push some medication because she was charmed by the sexiest or most persistent pharmaceutical rep walking through the door; I want to go into my appointment feeling prepared. At the end of the day, it's my health on the line, and frankly, she shouldn't be indifferent to that. 🐔
Sorry for the long rant, but I figured I'd give you guys something interesting to chew on with your coffee. ☕🙂🍿
Thanks in advance 🙏

The thread's looking a little dusty, so I figured it was about time we brushed things off and got talking again!

I’ve been dealing with asthma since I was about 15, and I’ve been using an Advair Diskus for the last decade or so. Since I started on it, I haven't really had any massive attacks that required a trip to the ER or anything like that. Mine isn't allergic asthma, though—my main triggers are usually just humidity, sudden temperature shifts, or when I push myself a bit too hard physically.
My most recent lung function test showed an FEV of 77%. Because of that, my pulmonologist decided to switch up my routine; instead of the Advair Diskus, he's put me on Forspiro.

Has anyone else here actually tried this medication? I'd love to hear what your experience has been like, if you don't mind sharing.

Thanks in advance.