Several years ago I visited my brother’s house and had a huge hay fever attack which caused me to wheeze. I never wheezed in my life. So, I drove to the local pharmacy to buy allergy tablets and saw Primatene Mist (an Over-The-Counter asthma inhaler), bought it and was relieved of the wheezing. After that incident, I never thought much more about the product and the word asthma never hit my brain. Years later, Primatene Mist was no available. On February 25th, 2014 the FDA’s Nonprescription Drug Advisory Committee and the Pulmonary Allergy Drugs Committee will meet to discuss an application to put Primatene HFA back on the market and on retail shelves. The Allergy and Asthma Network Mother’s of Asthmatics (AANMA) plans on challenging this action and will testify to NOT allow Primatene back on retail shelves. Why could this be a problem? It helped me out years ago-or did it?
Fast forward to life with two asthmatic kids and an asthma diagnosis for myself last year. Armed with knowledge and the fact that a local mom of four small children (the youngest still nursing) passed away from an asthma attack this month, I now understand my error: I should have driven over to the Urgent Care and had my wheezing checked out. The drug store solution was a band-aid for the bigger problem. I had asthma and never realized it–even after I had pneumonia and the physician explained that I had probably had asthma. Also, the new retail inhaler will not offer a dose counter, which helps patients keep track an accurate track of medication used. The article, “Asthma Inhalers You Can Count On”, explains this importance-special note: Nevada’s own Dr. Stuart Stoloff, who helped pass SB453-Stock Epinephrine in NV schools, reviewed this article published on the AANMA website.
On one hand, access to an inhaler during an asthma attack can be helpful, on the other hand, self diagnosing and managing can be deadly. Think back to the many recent food allergy deaths when Benedryl® was used and not epinephrine? My allergist had my family stop carrying Benedryl® for fear that we’ll try to “diagnose the severity” of the allergic reaction and not reach for our EpiPen®, which is the drug of choice for life threatening allergic reactions. We are not doctors and when dealing with disease that can kill, we need to be under physician care. Having terrible health insurance myself, I understand the hesitation to see a doctor but I’ve also come to learn about lower cost Urgent Care clinics, sliding scale and free clinics or even a special lower cash paying rate with your primary care physician exist. NeedyMeds is a great resource regarding access to medications and clinics.
The moral of this story is that asthma kills (10 folks daily) and self diagnosis and care has led to death. Maybe the real solution here is access to affordable health care rather than access to a drug that might encourage someone to not seek the urgent medical attention when needed?
Bravo to Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics for taking their position and testifying on February 25th (Press Release). I’m sure their viewpoint is NOT going to be popular in our quick fix culture.
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
My son is asthmatic and the thought of OTC remedies scares the crap out of me. Yes, it would be convenient and a fast fix in a pinch but overall, medicine is medicine and it needs to me monitored to keep people safe. Yes, it’s a hassle to go to the doctor’s once a year for refills and yes, it’s just as irritating to call it in and wait. But I’d rather have my child’s personal doctor that knows him- his health history, his allergies, etc. help us decide on what treatments are safest. And the dosage counter on his inhaler is absolutely THE best thing ever! Before we had one, I panicked while staying at my mother’s house and I realized (as he was wheezing) that not only was his inhaler feeling on the empty side but I had just no idea how empty it was. It’s a very scary thought not knowing if you will be able to help your child breath. All in all- doctors are here to help. If you don’t feel comfortable with your current doctor then seek out one that you WILL feel comfortable with so that everyone will be happy and safe.
Nutrimom, I know what you mean about the counter. I used to float the cylinders in water to try to determine how much is left. I always feared of damaging the medication or the ability to give the dose. We’ve come too far to go backwards. I am hoping AANMA and the other organizations supporting our beliefs do well.
I think OTC asthma meds are a BAD idea. Another thing to consider is that once certain meds go OTC, they are no longer covered by insurance. I used to get my Allegra via prescription from my allergist and then it went OTC and I had to pay for it out-of-pocket.
I agree that people should NOT self-diagnose when it comes to asthma/breathing issues. They need to go to an allergist/pulmonologist to discuss symptoms, warning signs, etc. Go, AANMA!
Selena,
Good input! I forgot about the fact that once meds go OTC, we do have to pay out of pocket! Good point. I’m very curious to see how the FDA rules on this one.