One of the frequent questions I've seen here and on other asthma websites is whether asthma can be safely treated with (cheaper) over the counter medicines. So, I thought I'd use this post to explore the answers to that question.

Some Facts

Before I get started, though, let's refresh your memory about a couple of asthma facts:

• Asthma is very treatable. While asthma is a chronic, long-term illness that often can't be avoided in the first place, the good news is that it is fairly easily treatable in most cases. With the right treatment, people who have asthma should be able to live full, active lives without many -- or any -- limits.

• The best treatment for the majority of people with asthma is a daily or twice daily inhaled steroid. Of course, no one medicine works best for everyone, but research has shown that inhaled steroids are generally the most effective asthma medicine. If they are used correctly, as prescribed, they should control your symptoms most of the time.

Unfortunately, inhaled steroids, like most asthma medicines, are only available at this time by prescription. And they can be expensive, especially the newest ones, particularly if you count in the cost of having to get regular medical care too. Also, the cost increased a couple of years ago, when pharmaceutical manufacturers had to phase out the old CFC inhalers in favor of the supposedly more environmentally-friendly HFA inhalers.

So, with so many people in the United States lacking health insurance that would pay for doctor's visits and prescriptions, there continues to be a demand for the old-fashioned over-the-counter generic CFC inhalers, such as Primatene Mist.

Is Primatene Mist Like an Inhaled Steroid or Albuterol Inhalers?

The answer to this question is no. Primatene Mist and other OTC generic inhalers like it contain the medicine epinephrine. Although the action is similar to the albuterol inhaler -- in other words, quick but short-term relief of asthma symptoms -- the actual chemical in the medicine is different, and probably not quite as effective, though many happy users might disagree.

The problem is that neither Primatene Mist or albuterol inhalers can safely be used as a controller medicine for asthma. They temporarily relieve symptoms, but they do not treat the underlying disease as inhaled steroids do.

Also, Primatene Mist is a CFC inhaler and will not be sold after the end of 2011.

Primatene Mist type inhalers are much cheaper, though, than their prescription alternatives. They also have a different taste and a different feel in the mouth.

Primatene Mist type medicines are safer than it was once thought, provided you use them as you should. You can visit the Primatene Mist website for more information on correct usage and possible side effects and risks. Keep in mind, though, that these generic OTC inhalers will only be available for another year... and they are definitely NOT the best way to control asthma.