With so much attention on the looming deadline to remove CFC, doctor prescribed, metered dose inhalers from the market by December 31, 2008, many do not realize that another deadline is in the works.
As early as 2010, over-the-counter epinephrine metered dose CFC inhalers may also be...
Over-the-counter Epinephrine Inhalers Are Going Away
9/19/08 12:18am
taking away the over the counter inhalers could be a problem,cause I'm sure I'm not the only one who's been at work or on a trip and forgotten their rescue inhaler.sometimes those otc inhalers are the only thing that save me from a trip to the hospital and yet another medical bill that I cant pay,and what about those that cant afford asthma meds?I know doctors frown upon it,but sometimes you do what you have to do,and otc meds can be a lifeline for some
9/19/08 5:20pm
I did not know I had asthma and was on a business trip where I had to rent a car. They had sprayed it with perfumed air freshener and 30 miles down the road, even with the windows open, I started having breathing difficulties. I met my customer at a restaurant and started to cough and then could not get air, almost blacking out. My husband ran into a drug store next door and bought an over the counter inhaler which I believe saved my life. I have since been diagnosed with asthma and am using prescription inhalers, but worry about the possibility of not having an alternative if my emergency inhaler runs out when I travel so much or if I lose it somewhere.
10/16/08 4:38am
If an asthmatic dies from an attack and an anti-steroid user convinces a politician somewhere that the death was related to the persons use of a steroid inhaler, are steroid inhalers going to be taken off the market? When are we going to smarten up and learn about health care and preventative medicine. Have the American drug companies completely taken over control of the cost and use of certain medicinal products? Obtain M. Moores most recent documentary on Health care. If the U.S. starts real soon, in 20 years we may catch up to the health care given in Great Britain, France, Cuba, Canada, and a host of other Nations around the world. We must get our heads up out of the sand, and admit that the U.S. is grossly inferior to many Countries (that do not have expensive defense plans), but whose daily living for everyone, not just the rich, is better because of Government provided Health care.
10/27/08 7:26pm
1/27/09 10:53pm
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Have had asthma for over 75years. In the late 1930’s, treatment (when not in the hospital) was a sulphur-like powder that came in a rectangular tin. You took off the top, poured some in the top & lit it. It smoked like mad – you inhaled the smoke, and coughed your head off. Tough, but it brought up stuff and you could breathe easier.
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In the mid 1940’s an aerosol was developed called Asthma-Nephrine. It was Epinephrine in an inhalator aerosol. We had to write away & order it from a manufacturer in Buffalo, NY. I think it’s a synthetic adrenaline, but I’m not a chemist, pharmacist or Doctor, so don’t take my word on that. This changed my life. I was able to take gym in school, participate in Scouts, hunt, hike, etc. For the better part of 60 years, this over-the-counter medication was my life-saver. The manufacturer changed, the name changed, but I was always able to find it.
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Somewhere about the end of the century, Albuterol came along. It was supposed to do the same thing, but I found at times the Epinephrine was quicker and longer acting. The Doctors stated they preferred I not use it, but could not give me any good reason beyond ‘the dosage may not be as accurate’. While I sometimes use the new FHA propelled albuterol inhaler, it is not as effective as the CFC propelled model. Further, one cannot tell if it’s full or empty, or whether you are getting a dose or not. (Thank you FHA!) Now I find the FHA proposes to remove the Epinephrine inhalator aerosol from the over-the-counter marker in 2010! Serious mistake! But that’s our Government’s history.
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Epinephrine inhalator aerosol is currently sold under the name of Primatene Mist, and is available in most drug stores.
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In 2002, my Doctor put me on Advair 250/50, but after several months with no improvement, I stopped taking it. I eventually went to a specialist who put me on Advair 500/50 on July 24, 2007 (1½ years ago). The results were astounding. My use of Albuterol/ Epinephrine went down from 2½ containers/month to 7 > 10 months/container! The only side effect is hoarseness in my voice at times. It’s better to breathe. Read about
Epinephrine at the following sites:
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http://www.respiratoryreviews.com/nov00/rr_no
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http://www.wemsi.org/epinephrine.html
2/15/09 4:12pm
I am 60 years old and have suffered from allergies and asthma since childhood. For many years, I used prescription albuterol inhalers (Ventoling or Proventil) to manage the condition when an attack occurred. About ten years ago, I had a serious accident, involving a traumatic brain injury and spinal damage. For some - apparently ideopathic - reason, my allergies disappeared overnight and I was no longer prescribed the albuterol inhalers. but the asthmatic attacks, chronic shortness of breath, continued and I started to use the Primatene Mist epinephrine inhalers which worked fine. If they become unavailable, I will be in a desperate condition. I am sure that there are many others who would be similarly affected, if they only knew. What can be done to ensure that this does not happen? Who can we lobby? What course of action is open to us to prevent this?
Thank you
2/28/09 2:41pm
I am terrified by the thought that I will not have this available to me! I suffer from stress-induced anaphylaxsis...a condition that cannot be controlled (I'm on several meds, but it still occurs...even in my sleep!). I have tried all other inhalers for this, but they do not work, not to mention, the side-effects are almost as bad as the condition! This is far more severe than an asthma attack (I have them now, too, since a chemical exposure at work two years ago, and use albuterol). Primatene (epinephrine) is my last hope of breathing before death. Epi-pens require that you go to the ER right away, and you have to be very careful of how they are stored or they will not work. I have had several instances where I needed to run into the drug store for the OTC inhaler, but now that they are gone, I guess I won't have any other options. FYI - I am a single parent, 37...and the condition began 14 years ago while I was pregnant.
9/23/09 12:47am
I use Primatene Mist and OTC enhaler. It works perfect for me, and use it on a occasional basis. Only during intense physical activity do I notice an airway issue. My little brother has severe ashtma as does my older brother but my symptoms are no where near theirs. So I picked up an enhaler at the local drug store to see if it would help at all. To my delight it worked perfectly. I don't even use it weekly at this point. Although I could and probably should go to the doctor to see if I need something different, I currently do not have health insurance and this $18 enhaler has definitally made the difference for me. I do NOT abuse it, and it serves its purpose wonderfully for me.
10/ 5/09 1:58pm
This is an outrage, and it absolutely should be addressed by legal means. Anaphylaxis is life-threatening, potentially killing in minutes. Obviously, an auto-injector is the preferred treatment as serum levels comparable to the injectable form are difficult to obtain via inhalation, but an epinephrine inhaler can buy a person precious time in situations where the epi-pen is not instantly available due to "storage issues." The epi-pen must be stored under very specific conditions, and this often means that students participating in sports or other outdoor activities have their epi-pens inside the school building, but they can easily tuck an epinephrine inhaler into their pocket, buying themselves time, if needed. Many victims of anaphylaxis die waiting on an ambulance or waiting for someone to bring them their epi-pen or trying to get to their epi-pen on their own. No, the epinephrine inhaler is not a perfect solution, but at least it is some sort of life-line.
Oh, what about the asthmatic whose inhaler is empty when the pharmacy is closed, but the local WalMart or grocery store are open and carry epinephrine inhalers??? These people can often use the epinephrine inhaler in a pinch. There is absolutely no reason to remove these inhalers from the market, and something must be done to remedy this situation.
11/ 1/09 2:16pm
Before the CFC inhalers (I'm 58) we used a device called an atomizer (or nebulizer). The epinephrine solution came in a small brown bottle. You would pour a few drops of the stuff into the atomizer. The atomizer had a small rubber bulb attached to it; you simply held the device to your mouth, squeezed the bulb with vaporized the solution, and inhaled. The device was a little bulky but not unmanageable. Then they came along with the CFC driven gizmos. Why not make the old atomizers available again. As I said, they're not as portable, but epinephrine gets the job done for me. Albuterol tastes like crap and doesn't relieve my attack like epinephrine does. Oh sure, doctors say it elevates your blood pressure and heart rate...yeah? well so does driving down the freeway at rush-hour!
Is it so hard to propel the epinephrine without CFC gas? I really worry about not having Primatene or similar (and cheaper) inhalers readily available. It's 911 for without them!
11/ 4/09 3:39am
this would pose a problem for me, but i would also like to know why it would be banned.
9/ 3/11 12:21pm
To Joey:
The government is trying to limit deterioration of the ozone layer around earth.
One way to do that is eliminate airborne CFCs (aka chlorofluorocarbons, which are organic compounds that contain carbon, chlorine, and fluorine).
Among other uses, CFCs propel medications used in many self-contained, aerosolized inhalers. It is/was a propellant in Primatene and Albuterol inhalers.
If manufacturers want to continue selling aerosolized inhalant meds, they must find a replacement propellant that won't harm the patient nor the ozone layer.
I wasn't thrilled when generic albuterol inhalers were replaced with name brand ProAir inhalers. Doing so doubled my out-of-pocket price from $20 to $40 per inhaler.
4/14/10 2:59pm
I have chronic allergies and asthma. I have lost my insurance and can not afford to go to a doctor for perscriptions. I rely on over the counter medicine and just pray that I do not become so unhealthy that I have to go to the ER. Just last night I had an attack that resulted in hives and difficulty breathing. What are people who are not poor enough for public assistence nor reach enough to go to doctors or paid clinics supposed to use when over the counter inhalers go away. It seems an unfair system that would deny hard working people of the medicine they need to make it through each day.I hear nonsense like those people can go to ERs or free clinics. We have no free clinics in my part of Florida. ERs just tell you that you have chronic asthma and hand you a presription for medicine you can't afford and a hospital bill you have no hope of paying. S. Brock
8/26/10 5:06am
I know and understand the risks of using an epinephrine inhaler that is currently available OTC, I cannot afford any other treatment. I had adult onset asthma and was forced to go to an ER after struggling to breathe all day by a roommate who was rightfully concerned. I was experiencing my first asthma attack and with no health insurance or any way to afford health insurance (I am 21 with 24,000 in university debt, plus that hospital bill; working as a server and bartender). I was able to see a doctor after my ER visit to get a prescription ( a doctor visit can cost hundreds of dollars) when the inhaler the ER gave me ran out and I experienced another asthma attack I bought and OTC epinephrine inhaler ($20). The cost benefit to the uninsured is way this drug is popular and necessary on the market. Would I like to use better, lower risk drugs, and properly treat my asthma you bet, can I afford to no. Since my allergies are a trigger I take Zertec OTC generic ($9 for 100 pills) every day and have the OTC inhaler ($20) for when I experience symptoms. Is this proper treatment, no; can I afford better, no. One doctor's visit to receive a prescription would cost me hundreds of dollars, to fill that prescription would cost hundreds more. So cost versus effect $29 higher risks but I'll be breathing and sleeping through the night or thousands a year for proper treatment, unable to pay rent or buy food but breathing like a champ. We need access to affordable healthcare in the country and until people don't have to choose between food and shelter or healthcare, don't take away the crappy medicine we can afford.
11/ 1/10 11:43pm
It is about time these were removed! Dangerous, especially for older patients, who may have underlying heart disease and dysrhythmias. They cause a lot of side effects, and keep people believing they can self-diagnose and self-medicate, when in fact they push themselves to the absolute limit (or past it) before seeking help. I would favor a reasonably priced albuterol sold OTC, but GET RID of EPI!--ER MD
11/11/10 3:48am
It really irritates me when someone, obviously not suffering from allergies, asthma, COPD or other respiratory problems, whether an MD or not, express these opinions in the fashion you chose. I am 58 years old and have had to deal with my medically diagnosed allergies, COPD and asthma problems for the last 56 plus years. I have moderate to severe respiratory issues and have been under a doctors' care throughout my life. I have been hospitalized countless times for asthma related problems, including bronchitis and pneumonia. I have been put on all the various forms of prescription medications to deal with my breathing issues since the age of 2 years old. Prescription inhalers, corticosteroids, theophylline, and other oral and inhalation meds do not work as well and have horrible side effects for me and are very expensive, if and when an insurance company will pay for them (not to mention having to try to get a visit with a doctor to get the prescription/renew a prescription and then fighting with the insurance company to get it filled and keep it filled). I know more about my health condition then most doctors do and have been living with it longer than most doctors have been in practice. I am very familiar with the anxiety involved in not being able to breathe and the suddeness and intensity of a respiratory emergency. I also know the panic when I am not able to obtain immediate medication. The OTC epineprine inhaler (Primatene Mist) has been my lifesaver countless times. I have not only depended on it for a back-up over the years, but have found that if works better for me than the prescription meds. I am currently depending on it as my rescue inhaler. If I have more severe respiratory problems, then I use my albuterol nebulizer, but it doesn't work as well or as quickly as the epinephrine inhaler. Since using the OTC inhaler, my emergency room visits have decreased sharply over the years, which I am thankful for (I hate waiting for 6 hours to be seen when I am obviously not breathing well).
My doctors change over the years along with their opinions on what medications are best for me. My health insurance coverage changes depending on the whims of the companies, the government, and policies and whether or not I can afford their policies. The precription medications change often, depending on company development and FDA approval or whether or not the side effects have been so pronounced that it is removed from patient use... it seems that when I find one that finally works for me, it is removed from the market... but the one thing that is and has been consistent is the OTC inhaler. It has been readily available and can be obtained 24 hours a day at some all-night drug stores. It has saved my life so many times. I am really stressed out that this product will be removed and I have no other alternatives except frequent visits to emergency rooms and back on dangerous prescription drugs, in which I experience serious side effect problems. If there is a class action or other legal means of stopping this removal of this medication, I can be counted on to help fight the battle. There is absolutely nothing wrong with people making informed decisions about their own health, health care, and treatment options. If an over the counter medication works for people... leave it alone and do not leave people with no alternatives... especially for something as important as breathing.
11/16/10 7:43pm
I rely heavily on primatene inhaler & am worried about what I will do next year when our govt. takes it off the shelf. Without Primatene mist, I may die!. I'm sure I'm not alone & I'd like to know if anyone will be marketing a product similar to the mist. Looking forward to hearing from someone about this pressing and perplexing situation.
12/29/10 5:06pm
I am also concerned about Primatine inhalers being taken away. I have used primatine for years and have always enjoyed its fast action. I have been prescribed Atrovent, ProAir and Ovar and none of these are for emergency relief. How can the gov't do this to their people? If anyone has found a product to take primatine inhalers place, please share your find. Good luck to everyone who has used these products and will be left with nothing to help.
2/10/11 10:22am
If you guys would try to read information before complaining about something going away, you would know by now that the inhalers are not "going away" forever. They are simply switching over to a new CFC-free over the counter epinephrine inhaler. Primatene has been working on perfecting their new CFC-free inhaler since 2009 when they announced they were pulling OTC as well as Rx inhalers that had CFC in them.
4/ 4/11 12:55pm
Your name-calling was rude and unneccessary. Ever since the prescribed switched to CFC free, my asthma has gotten significantly worse. It does NOT work as well. And, according to the article we all just read, it does specifically ask our opinion regarding if otc inhalers were removed from the market. I have no insurance, unemployed and do not qualify for any type of medicaid. So, if the government feels it would be cheaper to have me go to the ER on their dime ( actually, the taxpayers dime) , I am all for it :)
9/ 3/11 9:19am
As an intelligent adult who thought I hade freedom to chose what I put in my body, I fully believe the banning of OTC inhalers has nothing to do with the enviroment and everything to do with the health care disaster the US finds itself in the middle of.
I have insurance thru my employer and could chose to rack up medical bills in the thousands of dollars to treat an occasional asthma attack which would be paid by the insurance company. Iinstead, I pay $19.00 out of my own pocket for Primetine Mist because that makes more sense. Shame on me for being a responsible consumer with a brain in my head. Perhaps if the government needs to locate their brain and start doing things that make sense. Why force people to incur huge private insurance costs or Medicaid or Medicare costs when you can get an OTC product for $10.00. What about the folks with no resources that might die because of this stupid decision. Just does not make sense.
9/ 3/11 9:19am
As an intelligent adult who thought I hade freedom to chose what I put in my body, I fully believe the banning of OTC inhalers has nothing to do with the enviroment and everything to do with the health care disaster the US finds itself in the middle of.
I have insurance thru my employer and could chose to rack up medical bills in the thousands of dollars to treat an occasional asthma attack which would be paid by the insurance company. Iinstead, I pay $19.00 out of my own pocket for Primetine Mist because that makes more sense. Shame on me for being a responsible consumer with a brain in my head. Perhaps if the government needs to locate their brain and start doing things that make sense. Why force people to incur huge private insurance costs or Medicaid or Medicare costs when you can get an OTC product for $10.00. What about the folks with no resources that might die because of this stupid decision. Just does not make sense.
9/17/11 3:15pm
I do rely on OTC inhalers when I forget mine! You said they "may" be banned. Can you give me more solid information than that? No need to get everyone in an uproar (which seems to happen more than not) without knowing the facts.
I really don't care to know how the "comment" people feel politically, it's not relivent. I'm an RN that is concerned about CFC's and the environment. I think any rational person would also be concerned, if they took a little time to understand the subject.
OTC inhalers are a subject that needs to be clarified. Perhaps your expertise is needed to approach the government on the subject, so we know if we need to be concerned or not. Can we please have some positive momentum? If you consider yourself a scholar on the subject please stand up for us. If they knew this was a matter of life or death for some people, perhaps they could form an opinion and then we can hear what they have to say. Speculation is foolsh and a waste of time.
9/18/11 8:38pm
10/ 6/11 10:21pm
Once again the govement is looking out for our best interest? The people with asthma are destroying the atmosphere, not the large coal fired factories, hair spray, spray paint and dozens of other products. The FDA says there is little eviddence that this inhaler has any medical benifit.If they are doing this for our own good, why do they still allow the sale of acohol, ciggarettes, and all of the fast foods that are responsiblile for so many other ailment. Sure red wine in mnoderation has some health benifits but as far as I know beer, whisky white wine and other spirits dont help you a bit (medicaly) and actually hurt more people so to help asthma sufferers they remove a viable product from the market.
The cfs in the inhalers is a minor problem in conparison to the releif the users get from the medication.
It seems to me that the makers of Primitene mist just didnt play the game right and didnt donate enough to the right campagines so they got targeted to have their product removed from the market.
Again if they were concerned with our health and not money, they would remove tobacco products from the market, but the tobacco farmers pay too much in taxes.
Let the asthma sufferers die and it will save the country billions 9No social security etc.)
I have had asthma for 60 years and have used asthma nephrin and primatene mist since 1951 with NO side effects. In that time my dr has tried me on albutorol and combuvent with very little or no success and I had to use mor of these products and a lot of side effects.
Iam sure glad Iam on this end of life instead of the other.
I gurantee if Michell or one of his kids used this product, it would be available forever!!!
10/30/11 12:03pm
SO WHAT WILL PEOPLE WITH ASTHMA BUT NO HEALTH CARE INSURANCE DO NOW?I'M MOST PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF, WILL GO TO EMERGENCY ROOMS AND THE STATE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS WILL PROBABLY CAUSE THE DEATHS OF MANY PEOPLE, THIS WILL GREATLY AID THE POPULATION REDUCTION AGENDA. BECAUSE OF ALL THE POISENS THAT ARE BEING SPRAYED INTO OUR ATMOSPHERE, MORE PEOPLE THAN EVER ARE SUFFERING WITH ASTHMA. THESE INHALERS HAVE BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR MANY YEARS, WITHOUT ACCESS TO THEM MANY "USELESS EATERS" WILL DIE, BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM GOD.
10/30/11 12:05pm
SO WHAT WILL PEOPLE WITH ASTHMA BUT NO HEALTH CARE INSURANCE DO NOW?I'M MOST PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF, WILL GO TO EMERGENCY ROOMS AND THE STATE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS WILL PROBABLY CAUSE THE DEATHS OF MANY PEOPLE, THIS WILL GREATLY AID THE POPULATION REDUCTION AGENDA. BECAUSE OF ALL THE POISENS THAT ARE BEING SPRAYED INTO OUR ATMOSPHERE, MORE PEOPLE THAN EVER ARE SUFFERING WITH ASTHMA. THESE INHALERS HAVE BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR MANY YEARS, WITHOUT ACCESS TO THEM MANY "USELESS EATERS" WILL DIE, BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM GOD.
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I have had asthma since I was born, 32 years. In that time I have been hospitalized too many times to count, gone into respiratory arrest once, and been in the ICU. Tonight I was shown a clip on You Tube of a speech that Obama gave in which he states, "Everybody knows that it makes no sence that you send a kid to the emergency room, for a treatable illness like asthma, they end up taking up a hospital bed, if you just gave them a treatment early a breathilizer,..." The clip doesn't finish but I'm sure we can assume the rest of what he was going to say. This is an infurriating statement for anyone muchless someone running for President to make. Does he not know the statistics on asthma, obviously not. People without asthma will never know the feeling of not being able to breath and for him to link an illness, as he calls it, that kills thousands of people a year to taking up hospital beds is uncalled for. If you would like to see this clip go to www.Youtube.com and type in Barack Obama and Joe Biden Gaffe Machines. Just a little extra he thinks that the US has 60 state if you count the 57 that he says he's been to, the 1 he has left to visit and the 2 his campaign feels are not worth the time, all in the same clip.
I too have asthma,mine is adult onset.I agree with you....no one has a clue to what it's like to NOT be able to breath when you have an attack.I've never got bad enough to go to the hospital yet, but I too think Oblamo as my husband calls him hasn't a fr*&^$# clue about much of ANYTHING.Especially health care!!!!!! lord help us......can't wait till 2012.
I'm a pulmonary nurse. I disagree with Obama's healthcare reform 100%. However, it is true that most hospitalizations could be avoided if kids/adults are regularly checked by their doctors and their meds adjusted accordingly. I work in a pulmonary office and part time in the hospital ICU. I see a lot of patients that don't do what we tell them in the hospital. Of course some hospitalizations can not be avoided. Kids who come to the office every 3-6 months have no problems.