Difficulty switching from epinephrine inhaler to albuterol. Help please.

Due to not having health insurance, I have used the over the counter epinephrine inhalers to treat my asthma for about 15 years.  However, since they have discontinued the epinephrine inhalers, I have had to switch over to albuterol. 

When I switched to the albuterol, it was not giving me relief like the epinephrine was.  I used to only take the epi inhaler just before bedtime to help open my airways and sleep easier.  Other than that, the only times I would ever really need it during the day was when I would be sick or my allergies would act up.  However, with the albuterol inhaler, I am having to take it every 3-4 hours.

I re-visited my doctor, and she said a big part of the problem was that I had been on the epi inhaler for so long, and gave me Singulair.  Regretfully, she rushed out of the room before I was able to ask her what the problem actually was, and if it is something that is temporary like withdrawal, or permanent damage on some level.

So, I'm wondering if anyone else encountered a similar problem when the epi inhaler was removed from the market and they had to switch, or if anyone can fill me in on what the epi inhaler did that is causing this issue.  Whatever information anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Well thanks, I appreciate it.

I am very surprised that with the discontinuation of the epinephrine inhalers, there isn't more people who can relate to my problem. I figured with so many people switching, there must be quite a few people who experienced this. Anyway, hopefully someone will come along eventually, as it has been about 3 weeks now, and it still seems like it is not getting much better for me.

With a very long term asthma experience I also am now also having difficulty since they have withdrawn OTC epinephrine, i.e., Primatine Mist and other similar, formerly available inhalers. The prescription versions do not work the same way and from all I have tried (dating back to 1972) they won't. Pro-Air, Ventolin, Combivent and other 'rescue' versions don't provide the relief that Primatine did. The prescription versions are for some reason not as effective for relief of attacks. The use of corticosteroids inhaled or not is, in my opinion, the WORST idea - despite claims that they have been 'reformulated' and are now better. In my opinion the lack of epinephrine is not a withdrawal issue. The action is totally different. With Primatine it was practically instant relief with no residual wheezes. Pro-Air, Combivent, Ventolin all reduced a PORTION of the wheeze only. There was still some tightness not to mention the racing heart and palpitations. Tedral controlled my asthma well for years but that is now no longer available either. Reading an interesting history of asthma treatment published in the New England Journal of Medicine - epinephrine was recommended for use in 1928 - and it worked well then. It is unfortunate that big pharma, and whomever else is involved or responsible for eliminating these medications that are harmful in their opinions can't understand that there are responsible patients who use the medications as directed. Apparently the majority of them have not spent hours in an emergency room getting treatment or awakened in the middle of the night gasping for breath. They should or perhaps let an elephant sit on their chests for a few hours and they may get an idea of what patients go through. Per Primatine's maker, it might be available next year pending FDA approval. I have called FDA with my comments. I suggest anyone who finds the existing drug arsenal lacking call and pressure them as well. Meanwhile I am researching alternative inhaled products and their availability in the US. So far no luck.

 

cottonwood:

I, too, used Selrodo, which I believe was prescribed for me when I was seen at the Mayo Clinic sometime between 1940 and 1942. My memory of it is that it was the most effective medication I ever used for asthma and produced no side effects that I or my parents ever noticed.

xopnex is just too expencive and there is no reason for it except greed! i have to suffer with all the terriable side effects from reg abuteral cause my insurance wont pay for xopenex. i used an asthma drug called marax which was sim to tedrol but taken off the market in late 80,s. it worked wonders . combivent was taken off the market due to its propelant ! not its drug content. stupid treehugers! best rescue inhaler i ever used.