Frequently Asked Questions

How important is it to treat inflammation in the whole lung?

The lungs are made up of large and small airways. Asthma is a disease of chronic lung inflammation that affects both the large and small airways. If left untreated , this inflammation can cause damage to the airways in the lungs and can be associated with asthma attacks and difficulty breathing. The small airways make up more than 98% of the lung.2

Extrafine QVAR is the only preventer inhaler in New Zealand designed to reach and treat inflammation not only in the large airways but also in the small airways.

Can extrafine QVAR help control my child’s asthma but on a lower steroid dose?

Yes, an extrafine preventer inhaler like QVAR can be a great option for kids 5 years and up, as you can use a lower dose of medicine (corticosteroid) to control their asthma.

Can extrafine QVAR be used to treat nocturnal (night-time) or exercise-induced asthma?

Yes, small airways inflammation has been shown to be associated with nocturnal (or night-time) asthma, exercise-induced asthma, and allergy induced asthma.1

Several recent clinical and real world studies have confirmed that treatment of asthma with extrafine preventer inhalers like QVAR is associated with better asthma control than standard preventer inhalers.1

They concluded this was because extrafine preventer inhalers like extrafine QVAR produce medicine particles that are small enough to reach and treat inflammation in the small outer airways.1

Will I have to pay extra at the pharmacy for my extrafine QVAR inhaler?

No, like most other asthma inhalers the extrafine QVAR inhaler is ‘fully subsidised’, so the usual pharmacy dispensing fees that you normally pay should apply.

Is extrafine QVAR the same as combination inhalers?

Some asthma medications contain a combination of an ICS (inhaled corticosteroid) and a LABA (long-acting beta agonist). QVAR is different from combination products because there is only one drug in extrafine QVAR, an inhaled corticosteroid. QVAR is a part of a class of medications that doctors prescribe for treating mild-to-moderate persistent asthma.

Check with your healthcare provider. As asthma symptoms come under control your doctor may recommend ‘stepping down’ from a combination-ingredient inhaler to a single-ingredient inhaler like extrafine QVAR.

When do I use the extrafine QVAR Inhaler?

Always take extrafine QVAR as your doctor has prescribed. The usual regimen is twice a day. To help you remember, try taking extrafine QVAR along with other daily activities, like brushing your teeth in the morning and at night, or while taking other ‘twice daily’ medications.

How do I take a dose from the QVAR inhaler?

It is easy! The QVAR Quick Guide (Download PDF here) gives instructions on how to take a dose from your QVAR extra-fine preventer inhaler.

With extrafine QVAR you do not usually need a spacer, but it is a good idea to take a breath and hold for 5 seconds after inhaling a dose.

What do I need to know about using other medications while using QVAR?

Make sure your doctor knows about all the medications you are taking, as well as any dietary supplements or herbal remedies that you may be using. Your doctor may adjust your dose of QVAR or other medications depending on how they interact.