Seretide inhalers!

tk123

Does any one use a seretide evohaler instead of a diskus? Last time I got my diskus my dad got it for me and the girl in the chemist said I should be using an evohaler as I'm 33 and the diskus is usually for older people?
Also does anyone know of an alternative and hopefully cheaper inhaler as I'm forking out €80 a month for seretide 250. I'm an asthma newbie but there seems to be tons of inhalers - surely one of them is cheaper!! My current perscription runs out in march so I'm trying to get my info together in advance before I got back to my GP.

nesf

I was on the old version of it, the CFC one I think, for a good few years. It works differently to the sabutamol inhalers (the blue ones) in that its effect lasts way longer and is different to the brown inhalers (I forget the chemical name) in that it isn't really a preventative in the same fashion. I used to be on all three at one point, down to just a sabutamol inhaler these days thankfully.

Hersheys

Maybe ask your chemist if there's a generic inhaler you could use?

bob50

I take seretide 500mg diskus my self

As far as i know there isnt a generic brand of seretide 250 / 500

Starokan

im using the seretide inhaler for the past 8 months, the difference from my previous medication has been amazing. Its really improved things for me

tk123

same here tbh! I guess I should count my blessings!

cynder

my husband uses the seretide 250 evohaler, best inhaler he has had in the last 30 years. costs around €60.00 give or take €5.00, my boys use flixotide evohalers, which is good but not as good as the seretide.

happygoose

Seretide is very good, but very expensive.

What is the rule with getting a 6 month prescription from the doctor and asking for a full 6 month supply from the pharmacy in one month and maxing out the Drugs Payment Scheme? Is it possible?

cynder

happygoose wrote: »

Seretide is very good, but very expensive.

What is the rule with getting a 6 month prescription from the doctor and asking for a full 6 month supply from the pharmacy in one month and maxing out the Drugs Payment Scheme? Is it possible?

NO, tried it, but not a hope.

sam34

folks, getting prescription meds online is illegal here so we can't permit discussion of it or recommendation of websites.

locum-motion

happygoose wrote: »

Seretide is very good, but very expensive.

What is the rule with getting a 6 month prescription from the doctor and asking for a full 6 month supply from the pharmacy in one month and maxing out the Drugs Payment Scheme? Is it possible?

The DPS is a system whereby the government pays for the excess once your family's MONTHLY drugs bill has passed the MONTHLY threshold (currently 120, about to rise to 132)

If you want to get 6 month's supply, fire ahead, but:
a) don't expect me as a taxpayer to subsidise it beyond the extent to which I already do
b) don't expect me as a pharmacist to commit fraud at the taxpayers expense to save you a few bob..

locum-motion

tk123 wrote: »

Does any one use a seretide evohaler instead of a diskus? Last time I got my diskus my dad got it for me and the girl in the chemist said I should be using an evohaler as I'm 33 and the diskus is usually for older people?
Also does anyone know of an alternative and hopefully cheaper inhaler as I'm forking out €80 a month for seretide 250. I'm an asthma newbie but there seems to be tons of inhalers - surely one of them is cheaper!! My current perscription runs out in march so I'm trying to get my info together in advance before I got back to my GP.

The Diskus version is intended for anyone - young or old - who has difficulty in correctly using the Evohaler version.

Hersheys wrote: »

Maybe ask your chemist if there's a generic inhaler you could use?

Neither of its active ingredients is off-patent yet, so there isn't a generic equivalent.

nesf wrote: »

I was on the old version of it, the CFC one I think, for a good few years. It works differently to the sabutamol inhalers (the blue ones) in that its effect lasts way longer and is different to the brown inhalers (I forget the chemical name) in that it isn't really a preventative in the same fashion. I used to be on all three at one point, down to just a sabutamol inhaler these days thankfully.

grindelwald wrote: »

my husband uses the seretide 250 evohaler, best inhaler he has had in the last 30 years. costs around €60.00 give or take €5.00, my boys use flixotide evohalers, which is good but not as good as the seretide.

Seretide has 2 active ingredients, which effectively makes it a combined "preventer" (brown) and "reliever" (blue) inhaler.
Its Preventer ingredient is the same as Flixotide.
Its Reliever ingredient is like a longer-acting 1st cousin of Salbutamol (aka Ventolin)

tk123

locum-motion wrote: »

ect me as a pharmacist to commit fraud at the taxpayers expense to save you a few bob..

Oh can I ask a question since you're a pharmacist pls? I was getting my prescription a few months ago and they said something about being entitled to one free prescription a year so they'd give it to me for free - I can't remember why it was free though - I was so shocked I said yes please and forget what the girl said! Something about some months having 4 weeks and some having 5? It was less than the €120 and I would have spent €108 that month already but on the same prescription - I was getting it a few days early as I was going to be away when the inhaler ran out.

Hersheys

Possibly because like many tablets/medications, they're on a 4 week basis rather than a calendar month basis - I end up taking 13 packets of 4-weekly medications, perhaps its the same sort of set up here?

Hersheys

locum-motion wrote: »

The Diskus version is intended for anyone - young or old - who has difficulty in correctly using the Evohaler version.




Neither of its active ingredients is off-patent yet, so there isn't a generic equivalent.





Seretide has 2 active ingredients, which effectively makes it a combined "preventer" (brown) and "reliever" (blue) inhaler.
Its Preventer ingredient is the same as Flixotide.
Its Reliever ingredient is like a longer-acting 1st cousin of Salbutamol (aka Ventolin)

Good to know it's not off patent yet. Thanks.

nesf

locum-motion wrote: »

Seretide has 2 active ingredients, which effectively makes it a combined "preventer" (brown) and "reliever" (blue) inhaler.
Its Preventer ingredient is the same as Flixotide.
Its Reliever ingredient is like a longer-acting 1st cousin of Salbutamol (aka Ventolin)

Really, why was I prescribed all three then at the same time then?

cynder

nesf wrote: »

locum-motion wrote: »

Seretide has 2 active ingredients, which effectively makes it a combined "preventer" (brown) and "reliever" (blue) inhaler.
Its Preventer ingredient is the same as Flixotide.
Its Reliever ingredient is like a longer-acting 1st cousin of Salbutamol (aka Ventolin)

Really, why was I prescribed all three then at the same time then?

My husband was on flixotide 250 and ventolin but is now on seretide and ventolin also gp won't give seretide to the kids as there isn't enough info on side effects on kids. The Salamol generic ventolin is not as good as ventolin. Whatever's in seretide is way better than what's in flixotide, but one man's poison is another man's medicine.

happygoose

locum-motion wrote: »

The DPS is a system whereby the government pays for the excess once your family's MONTHLY drugs bill has passed the MONTHLY threshold (currently 120, about to rise to 132)

If you want to get 6 month's supply, fire ahead, but:
a) don't expect me as a taxpayer to subsidise it beyond the extent to which I already do
b) don't expect me as a pharmacist to commit fraud at the taxpayers expense to save you a few bob..

I asked what the rule was and if it was possible, you've clarified that it's not - fine, thank you for the clarification. I didn't ask the question in an attempt to 'defraud the taxpayer'.

In relation to a)
As a matter of interest can you explain your assertion "don't expect me as a taxpayer to subsidise it beyond the extent to which I already do"? How are you subsidising anybody who is paying for Seretide monthly OTC? It being a customers supply of inhalers.

In relation to b)
As a pharmacist you're obviously more au fait with the legislation/rules/guidelines on the scheme can you provide a link to where it states that only one months supply is allowable under the scheme in question?

If you can't I can only view your reply as trolling, and will report it as such.

ceegee

happygoose wrote: »

locum-motion wrote: »

The DPS is a system whereby the government pays for the excess once your family's MONTHLY drugs bill has passed the MONTHLY threshold (currently 120, about to rise to 132)

If you want to get 6 month's supply, fire ahead, but:
a) don't expect me as a taxpayer to subsidise it beyond the extent to which I already do
b) don't expect me as a pharmacist to commit fraud at the taxpayers expense to save you a few bob..

I asked what the rule was and if it was possible, you've clarified that it's not - fine, thank you for the clarification. I didn't ask the question in an attempt to 'defraud the taxpayer'.

In relation to a)
As a matter of interest can you explain your assertion "don't expect me as a taxpayer to subsidise it beyond the extent to which I already do"? How are you subsidising anybody who is paying for Seretide monthly OTC? It being a customers supply of inhalers.

In relation to b)
As a pharmacist you're obviously more au fait with the legislation/rules/guidelines on the scheme can you provide a link to where it states that only one months supply is allowable under the scheme in question?

If you can't I can only view your reply as trolling, and will report it as such.

Tax payer subsidises tax relief on inhalers,
They also subsidise everything over 120 euro for people on a few inhalers and other meds. They also subsidise all GMS patients inhalers.

justbored

This post has been deleted.

Kurtosis

happygoose wrote: »

I asked what the rule was and if it was possible, you've clarified that it's not - fine, thank you for the clarification. I didn't ask the question in an attempt to 'defraud the taxpayer'.

In relation to a)
As a matter of interest can you explain your assertion "don't expect me as a taxpayer to subsidise it beyond the extent to which I already do"? How are you subsidising anybody who is paying for Seretide monthly OTC? It being a customers supply of inhalers.

In relation to b)
As a pharmacist you're obviously more au fait with the legislation/rules/guidelines on the scheme can you provide a link to where it states that only one months supply is allowable under the scheme in question?

If you can't I can only view your reply as trolling, and will report it as such.

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service/entitlements/Drugs_Payment_Scheme/

Under the Drugs Payment Scheme, an individual or family in Ireland only has to pay €120 each month for approved prescribed drugs, medicines and certain appliances for use by that person or his or her family in that month.

justbored

This post has been deleted.

cynder

Cheers, there is a difference in taste from salamol and ventolin, the salamol is how do i explain it, cloudy/ heavy when breathing it in, the Ventolin it light and wasy to inhale. Its easier for the boys to take ventolin then salamol.


And just to point out people who pay over the 120euro a month are also tax payers

pejay

I also use Seretide inhaler and found it brilliant from other inhalers i was using like Beclazone.

I had 14 chest infections last year and so doc decided to change the inhaler i was on to the steretide since starting 5 months ago not 1 chest infection thanks god.:D

Nonoperational

nesf wrote: »

Really, why was I prescribed all three then at the same time then?

Seretide = preventer and long acting reliever

Ventolin (or equivalent blue inhaler) = short acting bronchodilator (short acting version of the long acting reliever in seretide) for breakthrough episodes of breathlessness.

Supercell

Just wondering if anyone knows how long after patents expire, before generics are sold here usually?
For example the Seretide EU patent is set to expire next year, so will we be able to buy cheaper generics sometime next year in Ireland?
Also on the subject of generics, say your GP gives you a repeat prescription for Seretide and two months later a far cheaper generic comes on the market, can you ask your Pharmacist to give you that instead or must they give you the branded version on the prescription?

happygoose

Generic Seretide in the US isnt much cheaper at all - I think its called advair. I imagine it will be the same when the patent expires here.

Supercell

happygoose wrote: »

Generic Seretide in the US isnt much cheaper at all - I think its called advair. I imagine it will be the same when the patent expires here.

God I hope not, its a rip off here. I can see online that in Australia the 250mg Diskus is $25 and according to a poster here on boards its around €27 in Poland.
At that price I'm wondering if its worthwhile getting a RyanAir flight there once a year and stocking up, maybe make it an annual holiday, the savings would pay for the holiday!!
Would a Polish doc prescribe me there?, and if so would the Pharmacies give me 12 months supply, or even 6 months at a time to make the trip worth while. Any Polish people here do this?

justbored

This post has been deleted.

happygoose

Supercell wrote: »

God I hope not, its a rip off here. I can see online that in Australia the 250mg Diskus is $25 and according to a poster here on boards its around €27 in Poland.
At that price I'm wondering if its worthwhile getting a RyanAir flight there once a year and stocking up, maybe make it an annual holiday, the savings would pay for the holiday!!
Would a Polish doc prescribe me there?, and if so would the Pharmacies give me 12 months supply, or even 6 months at a time to make the trip worth while. Any Polish people here do this?

Its crazy alright it would nearly be cheaper to fly there and stock up.

I get mine through a friend in Hungary, who is on it too. Hungary has a proper state subsidised drug scheme, Ireland's is brutal, a threshold of 130 a month, way more than anyone on the average industrial wage can afford. I really couldn't afford to buy it every month here.

ballooba

The Australian drugs are subsidised. It's a well known scam to illegally export them.

SillyMangoX

I've been on inhalers since I was 4 years old, have been on seratide for the bones of 10 years now, we have the drug payment scheme though so it doesn't cost us as much. What makes you qualify for/lose the drugs payment scheme? I also used to be on other very expensive medication, genotropin, and am currently on singulair which is also very expensive so the DPS is really a god send for us! But I'm afraid I might lose out on it when I'm older... I really don't understand how it works!

locum-motion

SillyMangoX wrote: »

... What makes you qualify for/lose the drugs payment scheme? ...

Everybody who does not have a full Medical Card is entitled to be registered for the Drugs Payments Scheme.

happygoose

The drugs payment scheme is not much of a help for people on seretide really. They only pay for anything over the cost of 132 euro per month. If you're on seretide and nothing else it doesn't come into play, seretide is 85 euro and you just have to pay it every month. Its a lot of money to fork out on something on a monthly basis for a PAYE worker on the average industrial wage.

locum-motion

happygoose wrote: »

The drugs payment scheme is not much of a help for people on seretide really. They only pay for anything over the cost of 132 euro per month. If you're on seretide and nothing else it doesn't come into play, seretide is 85 euro and you just have to pay it every month. Its a lot of money to fork out on something on a monthly basis for a PAYE worker on the average industrial wage.

I'm glad to see that you finally understand how the DPS works and no longer accuse people of being a troll just because they know something that you don't.

Tails142

Have to say that after nearly 20 years on beclazone and other steroid type inhalers, my doctor switched me to seretide. The difference is night and day, haven't had any chest infections since I switched over two years ago and I don't get affected by wheezing or shortness of breath if I run up the stairs or go out for a walk at lunch etc etc.

Used to carry my ventolin with me everywhere I went since the age of 8, now I don't even know where my ventolin is... probably not a good idea

The €85 a month is a hard pill to swallow, on top of VHI and everything else but it is SO worth it. Very happy with seretide, just wish it was cheaper.

It actually kind of gets my goat up that diabetes sufferers get their meds for free but as an asthmatic I have to fork out my hard earned cash.

Sailplane

Google it in the states $70 US no prescription more proof of the inept government allowing excessive profits from the sick and employed.

slfcarro5

happygoose wrote: »

The drugs payment scheme is not much of a help for people on seretide really. They only pay for anything over the cost of 132 euro per month. If you're on seretide and nothing else it doesn't come into play, seretide is 85 euro and you just have to pay it every month. Its a lot of money to fork out on something on a monthly basis for a PAYE worker on the average industrial wage.

Where are you getting Seretide for 85 a month if you dont mind me asking. In my local pharmacy its €105 although i haven't really looked elsewhere.
Thanks

Tails142

slfcarro5 wrote: »

Where are you getting Seretide for 85 a month if you dont mind me asking. In my local pharmacy its €105 although i haven't really looked elsewhere.
Thanks

I've been getting it for around 85 or 90 at our local doc morris pharmacy. Going to head to boots or tesco next time to see if it's any cheaper

tk123

slfcarro5 wrote: »

Where are you getting Seretide for 85 a month if you dont mind me asking. In my local pharmacy its €105 although i haven't really looked elsewhere.
Thanks

I've actually dropped down to seritide 100 - initially to save money and use my old ones (I was on 100 then consultant bumped it up to 250) but my asthma is controlled on the 100 so happy days.. Anyhoos I paid €55 last week (was €60 the month before) in Clearwater pharmacy in Finglas. Definitely shop around - my dad goes to Doc Morris for his heart/collesterol stuff because it was the cheapest in the area for it - he shopped around on my advice lol

Jd215k

tk123 wrote: »

Does any one use a seretide evohaler instead of a diskus? Last time I got my diskus my dad got it for me and the girl in the chemist said I should be using an evohaler as I'm 33 and the diskus is usually for older people?
Also does anyone know of an alternative and hopefully cheaper inhaler as I'm forking out €80 a month for seretide 250. I'm an asthma newbie but there seems to be tons of inhalers - surely one of them is cheaper!! My current perscription runs out in march so I'm trying to get my info together in advance before I got back to my GP.

The diskus inhaler is a preventable and is not used for older people as I have been using it for a number of years. The seretide250 that is a preventable also on the Ventolin.