Program Offers Info on Switching Albuterol Inhalers

For years, the FDA has been working to phase out albuterol metered-dose inhalers that use chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, as propellants, directing manufacturers instead to produce inhalers that use ...

[Julie Naylor]

The new inhalers are awful, I dont get the relief from the Pro-Air, that i got from the albuterol original inhaler. Since I was put on the Albuterol original inhaler, I found that I could breath longer hours than using the current one. I am very disgusted that NOW they decide to do all this.

[Deanna]

I agree.. I am taking Proventil now and it is not near as good as the Albuterol inhaler that I had. Wish they would contact more people and let them try it before they change everything.

[les]

Not only does the Pro Air not last as long, does not do as good a job as the Warrick inhaler, it is 3 times more expensive.

[Eric Magidson]

There has to be something we can do about this. I understand the impact on the environment but what about the impact on human life. As a newly uninsured asthmatic I can not afford to pay three times the cost of Albuterol for an inhaler that seems to not have as much medication or last as long. This is not right. This has created an opportunity for drug manufacturers to get rich off of legislation. How can we fight this? [e-mail].

[kristi]

where can we go to fight this? we need to get a website and all asthmatics together?

im a website programmer and can be of help.

[e-mail]

please email me with asthma in the subject line for any thoughts or replies on this.

[sherry cincinnati ohio]

Is there a different between Warrick Alubterol USP and Armstrong Albuterol? The Armstrong is not working like Warrick did. Does anyone have the answer of why?

[Chris Freitas]

I agree with everyone! I was forced to switch to Pro-Air and I do not get any kind of relief from it. Just yesterday my Pro-Air inhaler stopped working.... it just will not spray at all as if it is clogged. Costco pharmacy sais they have had nothing but problems and that they are on back order and can not get any more for me to replace the defected one. This new system sucks.

[lonnie saunders]

I am under care of the VA and have 25% of my lungs. I have copd. I was in the ER this evening. I was given a new series of medications
about six months ago. I had a marked improvement in
my dailey functions. Then about 1 1/2 months ago I was told VA no longer prescribed albuterol. I was given Levebuterol and it was just as good due to a shortage of albuterol. This new drug is not working. My health has deterioated markedly. I am concerned my healthcare has been invaded by polictics. We all deserve the best health care possible. I am concerned I will be killed by an unproven theroy. Global Warming has not been proven. Who in the world decided that my life is
not worth saving? I am not sure of the answer but I am going to contact my Congressman . It mostlikely won't provide any action but I have to
try . America is the country where ONE MAN'S VOICE can be heard. TRY ! lonnie Sauve Island Oregon

[Jo Ivey]

I agree with all of the above. There HAS to be something to do about it. I would prefer to have one of my Grandad's old bulb-type inhalers.(I am 3rd in known 5 generation asthmatics (isn't that something to brag about?)

I think no one who was in on this has asthma or saw their family in the midst of an asthma attack. My mother died of heart failure during an attack.

Let's protest!!

[Rita Craver]

I have used Albuterol for about l0 yrs. Now they have give me another brand. It does not work for me. I can't tell I've used anything. What can we do about this. Do you thik writing the company would do any good.

[Rita Craver]

I have used Aluterol for about l0 yrs. Now they have given me another brand. It does not work for me. I can't tell I've used anything. What can we do about this. Do you think writing to the company would do any good.

[Cina]

Anyone out there?

[Mike]

I have used the Warrick Albuterol CFC inhaler for 15+ years. I received an Armstrong HFA from my pharmacy about 6 months ago. I noticed a marked downgrade between the relief received during an attack when using the Armstrong HFA vs the relief from the Warrick CFC. So much so that I immediately returned to the pharamacy and requested a Warrick CFC inhaler. I did not feel safe without it.

I was told today that they are no longer making Warrick CFC inhalers. I was under the impression that the inhalers would still be available until Dec. 31, 2008, and that by that time this idiotic CFC legislation would be repealed.

I plan to get as much information about this legislation as possible. I can't believe that damage caused by the small percentage CFCs introduced into the atmoshpere by an inhaler could be more important than the life of human being.

Absolutely crazy.

[AZZ]

Has anyone looked into Canadian drugs. Online you can buy 3 inhalers for $33.04. I am not sure if they are phasing out the CFC's? Would like to know some thoughts

[Phil]

I'm having the same problem, my Warrick inhaler was replaced with an Armstrong. I went over to a friends house that has cats which caused me to have an asthama attack, no problem, I thought, I brought my inhaler. Except it didn't work, 15 puffs later and my friend had to rush me to the emergency clinic.
My pharm says Armstrong is the only brand the can get now.

[Mogsdee]

I was recently switched from albuterol to pro air by my pharmacist without any prior notification. The pro air inhaler is WORTHLESS and I even returned the first one as I thought it was faulty. There must be something we can do . Now I am taking much more pro air than I was my albuterol and it doesn't last as long.This is very frustrating! I wonder if any clinical trials were done on the differences between these inhalers??

[Kelly]

sherry cincinnati ohio wrote:

Is there a different between Warrick Alubterol USP and Armstrong Albuterol? The Armstrong is not working like Warrick did. Does anyone have the answer of why?

Yes, I talked to a pharmacist, and while it is the same medication, it is a different propellant. So it tastes alot different, and the delivery is not as good as it used to be.

[Jaime F]

I went to refill my albuterol, and was told that it was no longer available. They couldn't replace it with the Pro-Air without my doctor prescribing it. I went without until the next day. I don't know why my Dr. ddidn't forsee this and call in new Rx's for all albuterol patients. and of course, it is more expensive. Pro-Air does taste terrible, and I find it very irritating - I am coughing more.
ab=nd I pay cash

Julie Naylor wrote:

The new inhalers are awful, I dont get the relief from the Pro-Air, that i got from the albuterol original inhaler. Since I was put on the Albuterol original inhaler, I found that I could breath longer hours than using the current one. I am very disgusted that NOW they decide to do all this.

[Syd]

I agree with all the comments already posted. I urge everyone to alert his/her congress person to this situation and plead that the FDA reverse its life-threatening decision.

[Angela]

I've been using a Warrick inhaler since I was probably about 8 years old. I got switched over to pro-air which is double the price and it SUCKS. I've had a pneumonia since thanksgiving and it was suggested to me to use my inhaler to help relieve the symptoms...well two months later I'm still suffering and my asthma is worse, i have to use that piece of crap inhaler every 2 hours.