Where Can I Buy An Asthma Inhaler
Philip Morris International is buying Vectura, a large asthma inhaler-maker, in a move that health groups have urged Vectura shareholders to reject on both ethical and practical grounds. Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images hide caption
where can i buy an asthma inhaler
Philip Morris International is buying British pharmaceutical firm Vectura in a deal that will see a company synonymous with Big Tobacco taking over a firm that makes asthma inhalers. The American Lung Association, Asthma UK and other health groups have spoken out against the takeover.
"Despite articulating an ambition to move 'beyond nicotine,' PMI continues to manufacture cigarettes (more than two billion per day)," the groups stated, adding that the company markets cigarettes "in low- and middle-income countries where large youth populations and lax regulations have seen widespread smoking uptake in recent decades."
Primatene Mist is a metered dose inhaler (MDI) available OTC. Its original formula used chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to propel the medicine, but the CFCs were phased out due to their potential to deplete the ozone layer.
The medicine for the inhaler comes in individually foil-wrapped plastic vials. Each vial is good for 7 days after removing the foil. You can save a little money by only buying the actual inhaler once, and buying refill packs thereafter.
The Vicks Personal Steam Inhaler does not contain any medicine or active ingredients. It uses steam and optional menthol Vicks VapoPads (sold separately) to soothe irritated lungs due to asthma, cough, or cold.
If you experience troubling side effects, stop using the inhaler and contact your doctor. If you have severe side effects, like chest pain or severe shortness of breath, call 911 or go to an emergency room right away.
Asthma inhalers are hand-held, portable devices that deliver medication to your lungs. A variety of asthma inhalers are available to help control asthma symptoms. Finding the right one and using it correctly can help you get the medication you need to prevent or treat asthma attacks.
To find the best inhaler for you, you need to find a balance between the correct medication and the type of inhaler that suits your needs and your ability to use the inhaler correctly. Training from your doctor or other health care provider is essential for learning to use the device you choose correctly.
These inhalers consist of a pressurized canister containing medication that fits into a boot-shaped plastic mouthpiece. With most metered dose inhalers, medication is released by pushing the canister into the boot.
Some types of metered dose inhalers release medication automatically when you inhale. A few metered dose inhalers have built-in dose counters so that you know how many doses remain. Some newer devices use wireless technology to help you count doses by allowing you to track them with an app downloaded to your phone.
For some people, such as for children or older adults, using a spacer or valved holding chamber with an inhaler might make it easier to inhale the full dose. A spacer holds medication in a tube between the inhaler and your mouth after it's released. A valved holding chamber is a specialized spacer with a one-way valve to help regulate the flow of medication.
Rather than a chemical propellant to push the medication out of the inhaler, you release the medication in these inhalers by breathing in a deep, fast breath. There are multiple dose devices, which hold up to 200 doses, and single dose devices, which you fill with a capsule before each treatment.
Soft mist inhalers are propellant-free devices that are slightly larger than conventional metered dose inhalers. These devices release a low-velocity aerosol mist that can be slowly inhaled over a longer period of time than metered dose and dry powder inhalers. Soft mist inhalers can be used with a valved holding chamber or a face mask in children.
Using your inhaler correctly is critical in ensuring you get the correct dose of medication to keep your asthma under control. Talk to your doctor if you're having trouble using your inhaler, or if it seems like you're not getting enough medication.
Reliever inhalers provide fast relief from the symptoms of asthma. A reliever inhaler works by relaxing the muscles in your airways which makes it easier for you to breathe. It works rapidly and can be used at any time when you notice symptoms of an asthma attack. So, it is important to keep your reliever inhaler with you all of the time.
Combination inhalers act in 2 different ways to manage your asthma. They work to keep inflammation in your airways down and also to reduce symptoms all of the time. Combination inhalers are taken every day whether you are having symptoms or not. Your doctor will advise you how and when to take your combination inhaler.
Our registered doctors will assess your online form to check that you have chosen the right inhaler. Most people will be prescribed a reliever inhaler to use when symptoms happen. If you need to use your reliever inhaler three or more times a week you may be prescribed an additional inhaler to help prevent symptoms from occurring. It is important to understand how and when to use your inhalers and to follow these instructions.
Asthma inhalers are different colours to make it easy to tell the different sorts of inhaler apart. This can be important for people with asthma and their families. If you have an asthma attack you will need to use a reliever inhaler quickly. These are usually blue in colour and will provide fast relief from symptoms allowing you to breathe easily again. Being able to tell the different inhalers apart quickly can be very important if you have an asthma attack.
Reliever inhalers have very few side effects. They may cause shaking or a fast heart beat for a few minutes after using them. These side effects may be worse if you overuse your reliever inhaler. The sensation should pass very quickly. If you are concerned that the side effects happen often or are lasting longer than a few minutes it is important to speak to your doctor.
Inhalers used to treat asthma contain steroids and higher doses of steroids can cause some further side effects. Your doctor will try to keep you on the lowest dose of asthma treatment to reduce the amount of steroids you need to use. However, for moderate and severe cases of asthma, you may need a higher dose. Less common side effects of inhalers will not affect everyone but may affect some people with asthma.
If you have any concerns about side effects caused by your asthma inhalers it is important to continue to take your medication whilst seeking medical advice, unless you think you are having an allergic reaction, in which case you should seek advice as an emergency. You should speak to your GP before stopping your medication, even if you are worried about side effects. Stopping medication without expert advice could make your symptoms get worse or you could suffer a life-threatening asthma attack. Your GP will be able to adjust your asthma medication plan in order to manage any side effects.
These are generally prescribed if inhalers do not control your asthma effectively. The most common type of tablets are Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists (LTRA). Theophylline and steroid tablets may also be used.
This is a relatively new treatment which is used for the most severe cases of asthma and involves an operation. The aim of this operation is to weaken the muscles around your airways and to stop them from narrowing. Early research suggests that bronchial thermoplasty can reduce the amount of asthma attacks and also how serious they are when they do happen.
There is not very much evidence about the long term side effects or the effectiveness of this treatment for asthma. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of bronchial thermoplasty before recommending the treatment.
The Buteyko method and the Papworth Method are breathing techniques (exercises) that aim to reduce asthma symptoms. Some evidence suggests they can be effective for reducing symptoms of asthma. The Buteyko method teaches you to breathe slowly through your nostrils which keeps air warm and moist, reducing the sensitivity of your airways. The Papworth Method is used by physiotherapists and teaches you breathing techniques which match different activities.
You should have a personal asthma action plan agreed with your doctor or nurse that includes information about the medicines you need to take, how to recognise when your symptoms are getting worse, and what steps to take when they do so.
For children diagnosed with asthma, the condition may disappear or improve during the teenage years, although it can return later in life. Moderate or severe childhood asthma is more likely to persist or return later on.
Speak to your GP if you think you or your child may have asthma. You should also talk to your doctor or asthma nurse if you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are finding it difficult to control the symptoms.
Asthma attacks often develop slowly, sometimes taking a couple of days or more to become serious, although some people with asthma are prone to sudden, unexpected severe attacks. It is important to recognise attacks early and take appropriate action.
Some of these may be genetic. However, a number of environmental factors are thought to play a role in the development of asthma. These include air pollution, chlorine in swimming pools and modern hygiene standards (known as the 'hygiene hypothesis').
You may be given a peak flow meter to take home and a diary to record measurements of your peak flow over a period of weeks. This is because asthma is variable and your lung function may change throughout the day.
Your diary may also have a space to record your symptoms. This helps to diagnose asthma and, once diagnosed, will help you recognise when your asthma is getting worse and aid decisions about what action to take.
To help diagnose asthma that may be related to your work (occupational asthma), your GP may ask you to take measurements of your peak expiratory flow both at work and when you are away from work. Your GP may then refer you to a specialist to confirm the diagnosis. 041b061a72