Your Asthma Plan if taking a Combination Inhaler

You have been sent a link to this page because you take a Combination Inhaler for asthma.

A combination inhaler is one where you use one combination inhaler instead of two separate preventer and reliever inhalers.

There are several types of combination inhalers.

These may be dry powder inhalers, or aerosol inhalers. 

A combination inhaler will: 

  • reduce inflammation in your airways
  • prevent asthma symptoms such as breathlessness and a tight chest
  • act also to deal with symptoms or an asthma attack.

Like other combination inhalers, a combination inhaler contains:

  • a steroid preventer medicine to keep down inflammation in your airways and
  • a long-acting bronchodilator medicine (LABA) to keep your airways open.

The LABA is like a longer acting Blue inhaler. It can be used to give you relief if wheezy also, but takes a few minutes to work.

How do I use my combination inhaler?

You use your combination inhaler:

  • every day as prescribed, usually twice a day, even when you are feeling well.
  • if your asthma symptoms get worse - you can take an additional dose.
  • if you have an asthma attack.

You can see instructions on how best to use your inhaler here.

You may be used to taking a blue reliever inhaler when you get symptoms, but with most combination inhalers containing Formoterol you can get relief if wheezy by taking an extra dose - it will take a few minutes rather than a few seconds (with a blue inhaler) to give you relief.

Each time you use your combination inhaler as a reliever you also get a dose of steroid preventer medicine. This reduces the inflammation in your airways so you’re less likely to react to your asthma triggers.

What to do if your asthma is moderately worsened

eg, by catching a cold or by suffering an allergy reaction to something you are sensitive to.

You can increase the number of doses per day in this case, to up to double (usually 4 puffs/doses) per day.

What to do if you have an asthma attack

  1. Sit up and try to keep calm.
  2. Take one dose of your inhaler every few minutes for relief - up to six doses.
  3. If you feel worse at any point OR you do not feel better after six puffs call 999 for an ambulance.
  4. If the ambulance has not arrived after 10 minutes and your symptoms are not improving, repeat step 2.
  5. If your symptoms are not better after repeating step 2, and the ambulance has still not arrived, contact 999 again immediately.

If you do not have your combination inhaler with you and need to use a blue reliever inhaler, take one dose every 30-60 seconds up to a maximum of 10 puffs and call 999 for an ambulance.

If you are unsure about how best to utilise your inhaler please let us know or see the Pharmacist.