Albuterol, one of the oldest asthma medicines, typically costs $50 to $100 per inhaler in the United States, but it was less than $15 a decade ago, before it was repatented.
Pulmicort, a steroid inhaler, generally retails for over $175 in the United States, while pharmacists in Britain buy the identical product for about $20 and dispense it free of charge to asthma patients. The arsenal of medicines in the Hayeses’ kitchen helps explain why.
But being able to afford prescription medications in the United States often requires top-notch insurance or plenty of disposable income, and time to hunt for deals and bargains. The kitchen counter in the home of the Hayes family is scattered with the inhalers, sprays and bottles of pills that have allowed Hannah, 13, and her sister, Abby, 10, to excel at dance and gymnastics despite a horrific pollen season that has set off asthma attacks, leaving the girls struggling to breathe.Īsthma - the most common chronic disease that affects Americans of all ages, about 40 million people - can usually be well controlled with drugs. Before choosing an over-the-counter inhaler, patients are advised to speak to a doctor.OAKLAND, Calif. Improper treatment of either condition can allow the illness to progress and reach dangerous proportions. It is advisable to seek medical counsel when the symptoms of asthma and bronchitis appear, especially for those people who have not been diagnosed before. Many people choose to try to diagnosis and treat themselves without the aid of a qualified physician due to time constraints, limited insurance, or for other reasons.
Requesting the advice of a pharmacist or other trained professional is also a good way to ensuring the product is safe and reliable. Patients can learn more about the inhalers offered, as well as the companies that manufacture them, online or through consumer watchdog organizations.
As these medications contain fast acting inhalants, high quality chemical compounds are essential for both reliability and safety.
Regardless of whether the patient is seeking relief from bronchitis or asthma, it is important to choose an over-the-counter inhaler manufactured by a reputable company. In most cases, bronchitis treatment needs to be specialized for each patient and will require a doctor’s visit to receive the correct prescription inhaler. The inhalers for bronchitis offered over-the-counter are often less available, and generally contain many of the same ingredients as those intended for asthma relief.
Epinephrine is the chemical version of adrenaline, and is effective for encouraging the body to breathe more effectively by prompting the respiratory system to operate at full capacity, overriding the narrowing of the airways caused by the asthma condition. The inhalers intended for asthma contain epinephrine and ephedrine. Over-the-counter inhaler products are designed to treat the symptoms of either asthma or bronchitis. Medical professionals strongly advise seeing a doctor to determine the cause of the patient’s symptoms before buying any type of over-the-counter inhaler or other product to reduce the risk of choosing the wrong type of treatment. In both cases, the anticipated result is easier, less labored breathing and fast relief. They provide medications dispersed in a fine mist designed to be easily absorbed by the irritated tissues of the lungs. Most inhalers, both over-the-counter or prescription, are used to treat the symptoms of asthma or bronchitis. When choosing the best over-the-counter inhaler product, it is important to consider key factors including what condition the inhaler is expected to treat, the reliability of the company that produces the product, and a physician’s advice. How do I Choose the Best over-The-Counter Inhaler?.