Asthma Inhaler Question?

[luvmarypoppins]

Has anyone's dr. switched them to the proventil inhaler from the albuterol one yet? The dr. just did this for ds yest. and I told him I think he had this once before and did bad with it. He said its the only thing they will be making. He gave us a drug card for a free sample one. I would still like to ask the pharmacy if I can get the old one if they have it. Anyone have any experiences, problems etc. TIA

 

[kctwinmommy]

No, haven't heard of that one. Although my DD only has a mild case of asthma, mostly cold-induced when she gets sick. So we don't use it all the time. I have heard of someone talking about the changes with the thsoe floricarbons, or what they're called, the stuff in CA that they can't have. The name escapes me right now... Did they say why??

 

[momoftwins]

anymore? Albuterol is really a rescue inhaler (at least for me anyway). Is Proventil a rescue inhaler?

I use Flovent and Serevent for my daily maintenance.

 

[kydisneyfans]

I'm having big time problems since albuterol was discontinued. The new rescue inhaler just does not work. We have now tried 3 diffierent inhalers with no success.

I have been told that albuterol was discontinued due to pollution concerns???? I can't get the medicine that allows me to breathe, but I can walk by a 20 year old Plymouth Voyager in the pharmacy parking lot that hasn't had a muffler for 5 years. Something is wrong here.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Yes, albuterol was discontinued due to environmental concerns, or so they say.

I was given proventil as a sub and it does NOT work as well. I have an albuterol as well and I am dreading calling in for a refill in case they give me another proventil.

 

[maps]

Albuterol is the generic of Proventil and Ventolin. The drug companies are no longer making the "old" inhalers because it's "bad for the ozone". Apparently the activator for the medication was a pollutant.

Interestingly enough, all the "new" albuterols which have the same medicine as before just with a different delivery system, have all gone up in price.

So everyone who was able to afford the generic albuterol now have to cough up a lot more money(no pun intended).

 

[GoodFairies]

As maps said, it's all still albuterol. The medication hasn't changed, the method of delivery has. I also think it doesn't work as well -- the medicine doesn't seemed to be "propelled" to the lungs as efficiently.

 

[sugarpie]

They're definitely still making albuterol. If the alternative to the inhaler isn't effective perhaps the doctor can order albuterol via nebulizer.

 

[gradtchr]

Albuterol did not ever work for me. I was peeved when Ventolin (name brand) was discontinued because it did work. I am now on xoponex after trying a couple of different types before we found that this one worked.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I have never been able to take albuterol. It make me a insomniac. I use alupent. I have been taking it for over 15 years. It is a rescue inhaler. I take flovent and singulair daily.

 

[mickeyfan2]

anymore? Albuterol is really a rescue inhaler (at least for me anyway). Is Proventil a rescue inhaler?

I use Flovent and Serevent for my daily maintenance.

I would recommend you do some research on this drug. It is link to deaths in asthmatics. I use to take it but my Dr. took me off of it when the AMA sent out the warning. The AMA wants the drug off the market. It is considered a drug of last resort. BTW Advair is Flovent and Serevent in on. It also has the problem.

 

[kctwinmommy]

Albuterol is the generic of Proventil and Ventolin. The drug companies are no longer making the "old" inhalers because it's "bad for the ozone". Apparently the activator for the medication was a pollutant.

Interestingly enough, all the "new" albuterols which have the same medicine as before just with a different delivery system, have all gone up in price.

So everyone who was able to afford the generic albuterol now have to cough up a lot more money(no pun intended).

That's what I thought... I just got my DD's new inhaler, with Albuterol, a few months ago. But I know my friend was saying it was a new thing, like I said in my earlier post, those floracarbons, or whatever their called. And she also said it would go up in price.

 

[belle&beast]

My DD uses xopenex because the albuterol made her really anxious. She has had good results.

 

[momoftwins]

As a matter of fact, I am looking for a new doc. We just relocated to PA.

I know Serevent is black labeled. It took me forever to find the combination of drugs to work. I did not even know they took albuterol off the market in its present form. I only really go every year for a followup. My rescue inhaler is albuterol and my year is almost up.

Do you find the Singular to be as effective as the Serevent? For me, I started the Serevent when I began having nightime symptoms of waking up gasping for breath. The Serevent calmed everything right down.



Oh god, what a pain this is going to be!

 

[CF'er]

I would also ask for Xopenex. It's like Albuterol w/o the shakes. Also, are you using it with a spacer? That might help.

 

[sugarpie]

I'm a nurse and I'm still seeing albuterol inhalers being prescribed, so I was curious. According to the FDA albuterol inhalers in their current form are still available, but will be discontinued on December 31, 2008. There is a limited supply, though.

 

[LaraK]

I'm hording my inhalers...DS and I use the same dosage.

 

[mickeyfan2]

As a matter of fact, I am looking for a new doc. We just relocated to PA.

I know Serevent is black labeled. It took me forever to find the combination of drugs to work. I did not even know they took albuterol off the market in its present form. I only really go every year for a followup. My rescue inhaler is albuterol and my year is almost up.

Do you find the Singular to be as effective as the Serevent? For me, I started the Serevent when I began having nightime symptoms of waking up gasping for breath. The Serevent calmed everything right down.



Oh god, what a pain this is going to be!

For me Flovent and Singulair works great. I was talking Serevent and Singulair then Advair and Singulair before . Flovent and Singulair works just as well. I guess you need to try it. I may or may not work for you.

 

[peachgirl]

I'm a nurse and I'm still seeing albuterol inhalers being prescribed, so I was curious. According to the FDA albuterol inhalers in their current form are still available, but will be discontinued on December 31, 2008. There is a limited supply, though.

They quit manufacturing the inhalers with the old propellant a few months ago. You can still get them as long as the supply lasts. After 12/08, you can't get a rx for them anymore, and whatever they have left has to be destroyed. I know that Schering Plough expects their supply to be depleted by the end of summer.

I've been stocking up on my inhalers since I heard about this a year ago. Every month like clockwork I pay my $10 and get another inhaler. I figure I have about a 3 yr supply right now...

When I have to switch to the new one, my co-pay increases to $60 so I'm putting that one off as long as I can.

So far, I'm still able to get the old one, but who knows for how long.