View Full Version : PRIMATENE MIST Nationwide Shortage!!!
:eek: I use it and am having a terrible time finding any. I have about a week's worth left and when that runs out I don't know WHAT I am going to do.:eek: If ANYONE has any I will buy it from you just PM me PLEASE!!! Unopened refil still in the box only Please.
On www.Primatine.com it SAYS they are having a problem with a 3rd party manufacturer BUT then I just heard that the FDA has told them they can ONLY sell them until the end of this year. NOW, what's the truth is what I want to know. Is Primatine cutting into Big Drug Companies Profits on their prescription inhalers??
Why?? What is this about?? Drug companies losing money on THEIR outrageously priced Albuterol inhalers?? People fed up with the Bullsh*t going to doctors every 3 months JUST to get refils then they sock you with more tests or they won't give you refills?? I KNOW what's going on. :mad: The B*ST*RDS!!!! I went through all that a few years ago. If I can't breath, well, I guess I will just have to die. :mad:
WHY would they stop making them with so many people depending on them??? :mad: Other people have told me the same thing. They are SICK to Death of the Medical Run a round just to get refills!! :mad: That's why I started using it. I guess I could TRY the tablets but people tell me it makes their heart really race. :(:o
OK, here is the FIRST site I have seen with ANY mention of Possible availability. Two to three weeks SO what does that mean to us?? A Month?? :icon_frown::Doh::Sinking::Bang-Head:
Perhaps this is what is happening....
Many older products, have been allowed on the market grandfathered in
when newer laws required safety and efficacy to be submitted to FDA.
Guaifenesin (Robitussin) was recently involved with this... and had to submit new data.
Some companies choose to not do the high $$ involved. Some get delayed.
Because of the death of that model (her name escapes me) perhaps this is being required of Primatine.
http://www.jlh-design.com/2007/01/primatene-mist-conspiracy-theory/
Primatene was also in short supply about 4 yrs ago. That took 6mos, to get it back on the shelves.
Here is a web forum discussing diversion, abuse:
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:ve5XRCJ2ebwJ:www.rxpalace.com/cgi-bin/teemz/teemz.cgi%3Fboard%3D_master%26action%3Dopentopic%2 6topic%3D62%26forum%3DSpecific_Drug_Questions+Prim atene+unavailable&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=us
If it were true that the active ingredient was being diverted into illicit drug manufacture, you'd think they would put it behind the pharmacy counter, like pseudoephedrine.
The secrecy about this is confusing.
I could not log onto www.fda.gov/ for you tonight. It seems to be down. Sorry
It hasn't been at my local Walgreen's now for about 3 months. I have been cruising odd stores here and there and when I see ANY I grab all of them. I am down to my very Last one now. I'm getting nervous.
Curious
01-13-2008, 05:28 PM
wii, i have some errands to run monday and i'll look here for you.
:hug:
Thank you. I will Gladly send you a M.O.
and I found this:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/meeting/ozone/Sander.pdf
This is interesting:
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dockets/05n0374/05n-0374-EC6-Attach-1.pdf
reformulating the inhaler to be fluorohydrocarbon free, like the RX ones have become. This looks like the most likely cause of the interruption.
We really need to move this thread out of this forum and into Medications, so we can find it easily! I'll PM Curious to do it.
Thanks Curious.
I decided to ask at the Wyeth board at CafePharma. They may answer back if
they are in a good mood...many posts asking for info just get flamed. So if I get a good answer I'll come back here with it. Cross your fingers.
37 views to my question, and not one answer, so far.:confused:
I am still searching for a REAL answer:
found this just now:
http://lungdiseases.about.com/od/asthma/a/primatenemist.htm
This cites the PDF I linked to above.
FDA Considering Ban of Primatene Mist
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD
Will Primatene Mist Be Taken Off the Shelves?
If you're one of the 3 million Americans who use Primatene Mist to manage your asthma, you may have to look for an alternative. The Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee voted 11 to 7 in favor of removing Primatene Mist from drugstore shelves because of the harmful chemical it contains.
Primatene Mist Contains Ozone-Depleting Chemical
Primatene Mist, manufactured by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare, contains chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) which facilitates the propulsion of the medication (epinephrine) from the inhaler canister. CFC has been used in many aerosolized products in the past, but its use has been phased out because of its effects on the Earth's ozone layer. CFC depletes the ozone layer that provides protection against the Sun's harmful rays. (Read more about ozone and your health.)
No OTC Alternatives for Primatene Mist Users
Currently, there are no epinephrine-based inhalers on the market that use hydrofluroalkane (HKF), the environmentally safe aerosol propellant, and there are no epinephrine-based prescription inhalers on the market.
CFC-Containing Prescription Inhalers Banned
Prescription inhalers containing CFC are being phased out. In March 2005, the FDA ruled that all prescription inhalers containing CFC will be banned by the end of 2008, forcing drug manufacturers to use an alternative, environmentally safe aerosol propellant.
Please read the whole above article!
I just searched Ebay for you: Many there! You can get them and even buy ahead:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=Primatene+mist&category0=
The bidding is pretty aggressive there. So prices are not "low".
You may just have to go to a doctor. Sorry.... and get albuterol, now. Think about this: If you buy albuterol at a discount pharmacy with an RX... you can get about 10 of them for $100 or less. Of course you need the doctor RX first, which costs. But in the end it might be less $$ to get the RX and a good check up.
Well, the clinic I used to go to won't give me any inhalers unless I go through all these unrelated tests which I won't do. It's not necessary. I already HAD asthma testing. Do people Have asthma then they don't?? I guess I'll have to find another doctor. :o I Hate doctors!!!! :mad: It was torture trying to get refills AND they were always giving me such a bad time, use this and use that TOO. And I ended up using all this OTHER stuff along WITH the albuterol. I don't want to use all those chemicals. At least Epinephrine is a natural substance.
AND why doesn't Wyeth just use an environmentally safer aerosol propellant?? What's the Problem?? :mad:
the new propellant came out about 10 yrs ago as Proventil HFA. (albuterol).
It took several years for the FDA to decide to require this in RX inhalers. That took several years to implement as well.
The inhaler delivery device is quite complex. People typically don't even think about it. But it has to be designed to give exact doses each time. So it is a very sophisticated little device. For a VERY long time there was the only one maker of generic albuterol because of this. (Warrick owned by Schering who makes Proventil). Then a company in Ireland designed one, and Zenith/Goldline bought it. This is the reason why there are few generics for inhalers. I have seen articles claiming that the inhaler device costs far more than the drug inside it.
So designing a new form is going to cost the drug company alot of money and time (lost sales). I personally don't think Wyeth will reformulate it. The paper I copied above shows that the medical community does not want this inhaler on the market. Wyeth, is suffering financial losses now, with the disasterous decline in Premarin sales, so it may not spring for the new inhaler costs.
This is the only reply to my question at Wyeth board:
nonymous
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Where is Primatene Mist?
I think that the inhaler was to be pulled perhaps because the propellant contained CFCs and the company did not want to go through the process of coming out with a newer version. Tablets may still be available.
Again, not 100% sure. Ask the pharmacist.
There were a 118 views total. no other responses. I think that reflects a negative feeling.
Concerning other treatments...
I find for myself that Singulair has completely allowed me to be free of inhalers. I only keep one albuterol for
emergencies and that goes out of date, before it is empty. Singulair works very well for me. I also use
Omega-3s and they help reduce bronchoconstriction for me.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=1533708&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312
Drugstore.com does not have it. I checked.
One response to me was that the poster saw it in a grocery store.
So perhaps you can find some left in those locations.
But do check the expiration date, if the product does not move it may be old.
I have coupons for primatene that exipe 1/31/2009. Do you THINK they knew about this long ago??
I just spoke to a friend who found me 5 refills and she said they had more in the store.
This whole thing is making me nervous. I KNOW the Medical community wants Anything off the market that infringes on their little plans.
the new propellant came out about 10 yrs ago as Proventil HFA. (albuterol).
It took several years for the FDA to decide to require this in RX inhalers. That took several years to implement as well.
The inhaler delivery device is quite complex. People typically don't even think about it. But it has to be designed to give exact doses each time. So it is a very sophisticated little device. For a VERY long time there was the only one maker of generic albuterol because of this. (Warrick owned by Schering who makes Proventil). Then a company in Ireland designed one, and Zenith/Goldline bought it. This is the reason why there are few generics for inhalers. I have seen articles claiming that the inhaler device costs far more than the drug inside it.
So designing a new form is going to cost the drug company alot of money and time (lost sales). I personally don't think Wyeth will reformulate it. The paper I copied above shows that the medical community does not want this inhaler on the market. Wyeth, is suffering financial losses now, with the disasterous decline in Premarin sales, so it may not spring for the new inhaler costs.
This is the only reply to my question at Wyeth board:
There were a 118 views total. no other responses. I think that reflects a negative feeling.
Concerning other treatments...
I find for myself that Singulair has completely allowed me to be free of inhalers. I only keep one albuterol for
emergencies and that goes out of date, before it is empty. Singulair works very well for me. I also use
Omega-3s and they help reduce bronchoconstriction for me.
And that is what exactly??
I also use
Omega-3s and they help reduce bronchoconstriction for me
are a form of essential fat that our bodies use to repair cells.
Omega-3s are responsible for the skin on our bodies, our mucous membranes, our nerves, heart, many things.
One thing they do is minimize bronchoconstriction. When Omega-3s are low in the diet (and the US diet is very low).. then the lungs do not work well. (other things also do not work well).
You can read more here: (note ~~ flax oil is as good as perilla oil and easier to find and use)
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm
Asthma
Clinical research suggests that omega-3 fatty acid supplements (in the form of perilla seed oil, which is rich in ALA) may decrease inflammation and improve lung function in adults with asthma. Omega-6 fatty acids have the opposite effect: they tend to increase inflammation and worsen respiratory function. In a small, well-designed clinical study of 29 children with asthma, those who took fish oil supplements rich in EPA and DHA for 10 months had improvement in their symptoms compared to children who took a placebo pill.
a little more technical:
http://www.asthmaworld.org/asthma-OMEGA3.htm
While I understand your concern about the possible loss of Primatene... I have to say that asthma is a very sneaky and dangerous disease, and can kill you unexpectedly. And while I do not like the "medical" community futzing with our freedoms, when it comes to asthma you must have some understanding about the consequences it can deliver.
I really don't like ANY inhalers...RX included. I find Singulair the best thing that ever happened to my asthma (which I don't even think about much anymore).
I have a chemically reactive asthma..which is triggered by chemical fumes (ammonia floor strippers), smoke, exhaust etc. I can be fine one minute and desperate the next depending on the environment. I used to get pneumonia and bronchitis often, but after fixing my Omega status and using the new Singulair, that is all history. I did the Omegas more than 10 yrs ago, then Singulair is new and I think they work together.
the new propellant came out about 10 yrs ago as Proventil HFA. (albuterol).
It took several years for the FDA to decide to require this in RX inhalers. That took several years to implement as well.
The inhaler delivery device is quite complex. People typically don't even think about it. But it has to be designed to give exact doses each time. So it is a very sophisticated little device. For a VERY long time there was the only one maker of generic albuterol because of this. (Warrick owned by Schering who makes Proventil). Then a company in Ireland designed one, and Zenith/Goldline bought it. This is the reason why there are few generics for inhalers. I have seen articles claiming that the inhaler device costs far more than the drug inside it.
So designing a new form is going to cost the drug company alot of money and time (lost sales). I personally don't think Wyeth will reformulate it. The paper I copied above shows that the medical community does not want this inhaler on the market. Wyeth, is suffering financial losses now, with the disasterous decline in Premarin sales, so it may not spring for the new inhaler costs.
This is the only reply to my question at Wyeth board:
There were a 118 views total. no other responses. I think that reflects a negative feeling.
Concerning other treatments...
I find for myself that Singulair has completely allowed me to be free of inhalers. I only keep one albuterol for
emergencies and that goes out of date, before it is empty. Singulair works very well for me. I also use
Omega-3s and they help reduce bronchoconstriction for me.
are a form of essential fat that our bodies use to repair cells.
Omega-3s are responsible for the skin on our bodies, our mucous membranes, our nerves, heart, many things.
One thing they do is minimize bronchoconstriction. When Omega-3s are low in the diet (and the US diet is very low).. then the lungs do not work well. (other things also do not work well).
You can read more here: (note ~~ flax oil is as good as perilla oil and easier to find and use)
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm
a little more technical:
http://www.asthmaworld.org/asthma-OMEGA3.htm
While I understand your concern about the possible loss of Primatene... I have to say that asthma is a very sneaky and dangerous disease, and can kill you unexpectedly. And while I do not like the "medical" community futzing with our freedoms, when it comes to asthma you must have some understanding about the consequences it can deliver.
I really don't like ANY inhalers...RX included. I find Singulair the best thing that ever happened to my asthma (which I don't even think about much anymore).
I have a chemically reactive asthma..which is triggered by chemical fumes (ammonia floor strippers), smoke, exhaust etc. I can be fine one minute and desperate the next depending on the environment. I used to get pneumonia and bronchitis often, but after fixing my Omega status and using the new Singulair, that is all history. I did the Omegas more than 10 yrs ago, then Singulair is new and I think they work together.
And while I do not like the "medical" community futzing with our freedoms, when it comes to asthma you must have some understanding about the consequences it can deliver.
Well, they don't seem to care if I go without. trying to BlackMail me into taking all these unrelated and unessessary tests just so they can bleed my insurance company. I refuse to cooperate. If it kills me well, it probably will kill alot of other people too who are victims of all this unnecessary testing. Last year I was SO sick, I really thought I wasn't going to make it, Seriously. I had to go to ER 4 times for braething treatment. They gave me ONE inhaler for 5 months of debilitating sickness. THEN after that I went to my clinic and they Still wouldn't give me refills. They don't care about the patients, only the Money. I have to find some Natural remedies so I don't have to rely on drug stores. I will look into this Omega 3-s. Iwill do a Search now. Thanks mrsd. :hug:
Curious
01-15-2008, 05:45 PM
i looked for you wii. the pharmacist at cvs said the last they had got pulled in december because it expired.
:hug:
a bonus on the omega's...they help your complextion. :)
Hahahaha, Fish Oil. I grew up on all kinds of fish but left the coast in 88. Funny, that's when all these other problems started. The Asthma, skin problems. Maybe my body IS missing all the fishies. :eek:
http://www.rufer.net/Bilder%20Unterwasser%20Gifs/fisch6_0kb.gif
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid
Curious
01-15-2008, 09:50 PM
you might be onto something there wii.
Victorya
02-23-2008, 07:31 PM
>>>...reformulating the inhaler to be fluorohydrocarbon free, like the RX ones have become...<<<
Slighly off topic...but has anyone noticed that since the albuterol has been reformulated with no fluorohydrocarbon, it doesn't seem to work as well?????
I on the other hand have used Proventil HFA since it came out years ago.
It was the first one of this type. The regular aerosol inhalers never worked well for me~~ I reacted to the propellant!
I think people who put the inhaler in the mouth, may experience different results. Putting the inhaler of the old type in the mouth, sprayed albuterol on the mucus membranes and it was absorbed systemically and worked in part that way.
The new inhalers require you to put the mouthpiece just in front of the lips and inhale only the fine mist...this then goes into the lungs. I don't believe the new type works well when spraying with the mouthpiece inside the mouth.
Some people find a spacer helps with learning proper technique. But I have seen many more people put that mouthpiece IN THE MOUTH, and therefore lose
the mist before it can get to the lungs.
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