Can You Get an Albuterol Inhaler Over the Counter?
With the loftier price of prescription inhalers, you may wonder whether over-the-counter (OTC) asthma inhaler medications are available in the United States. Asthmanefrin (racepinephrine) is a currently available nonprescription OTC inhaler medication.
These types of asthma medications are designed to temporarily relieve asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, ch est tightness, and wheezing. Before you decide to use an OTC asthma inhaler, see why it may or may not exist a adept choice.
Indications
How sure are y'all that your symptoms are asthma? Many patients written report using over-the-counter products before getting a diagnosis, despite OTC asthma inhalers not being labeled for this purpose. Classic asthma leads to the post-obit symptoms:
- Wheezing
- Breast tightness
- Cough
- Shortness of jiff
Yet, these symptoms can exist office of other serious diseases as well. An OTC asthma inhaler may provide symptom relief and mask some more serious conditions such as heart affliction or COPD. If you are not sure well-nigh your symptoms, brand certain you get checked out by a healthcare professional.
Additionally, OTC asthma inhalers state in their packaging they are only to be used for temporary relief and the most recently approved OTC asthma med conspicuously states that y'all should exist diagnosed by a healthcare provider with asthma earlier using.
Asthma is not a small-scale condition. You lot may be at hazard for a fatal asthma assail. If you accept poorly controlled symptoms, an OTC asthma inhaler is probably not for you.
Side Effects
Simply similar prescription medications, OTC medications too carry a adventure of side effects. Mutual side effects of OTC asthma inhalers include:
- Appetite changes
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Hyperactivity
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Shakiness
- Sinus hurting
- Sore throat
- Tremor
- Problem sleeping
- Vomiting
Prophylactic Concerns
Finally, is an OTC asthma inhaler safe? Some healthcare providers practise not feel OTC asthma inhalers are prophylactic. They point out that medications for other serious conditions such every bit diabetes or heart affliction are not sold over-the-counter.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning specifically for Asthmanefrin and its EZ Breathe Atomizer. They warned patients that they had received complaints about breast pain, high blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, and spitting upwards pinkish or red sputum. Likewise, a 2014 study establish that Asthmanefrin provided less bronchoprotection than albuterol and may exist less effective in treating acute bronchospasm.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were used before 2011 as the propellant to deliver medication from many OTC asthma inhalers like Primatene Mist and prescription inhalers. CFCs were banned from inhalers by EPA to subtract ozone levels and practise less ecology damage. As a result, Primatene Mist was removed from the market place but has returned since replacing CFCs with hydrofluoroalkane.
Asthmanefrin
Asthmanefrin (racepinephrine) is a Cfc-free asthma production that is currently available for utilise that acts as a bronchodilator. Information technology relieves asthma symptoms by relaxing inflamed muscles and functionally enlarging the airways of the lung. You should non apply Asthmanefrin if y'all have any of the following conditions:
- Heart affliction
- High claret pressure level
- Thyroid affliction
- Diabetes
- Difficulty in urination due to an enlarged prostate gland
Asthmanefrin is a petty dissimilar considering it's non a traditional inhaler. Rather, the EZ Exhale Atomizer takes a modest amount of liquid and turns it into a fine mist that can be inhaled into the lung. One time in the lung, it acts every bit a bronchodilator to improve your symptoms.
The FDA warns that this medication's side effects should exist monitored and if you lot use information technology, you should report any reactions.
Conflicting Opinions
Not all professionals believe over-the-counter asthma inhalers like Asthmanefrin should be bachelor to consumers. In fact, organizations such as the American Higher of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology, the American Clan for Respiratory Care, the American Thoracic Society and the National Clan for Medical Direction of Respiratory Intendance do not want OTC inhalers to be included in asthma handling guidelines. They practise not feel that over-the-counter epinephrine products are safe for the treatment of asthma.
A Discussion From Verywell
You volition need to decide for yourself if this is an appropriate OTC treatment for you. You lot might be attracted to the lower cost and that you don't demand to get a prescription.
But these products are not the same as prescription inhalers. Asthma tin can be a life-threatening status, and it needs to be discussed with your healthcare provider. If you have any questions well-nigh whether or not it is appropriate, please talk with your healthcare provider.
Asthma Doctor Discussion Guide
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Source: https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-an-otc-asthma-inhaler-available-200670
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