Request particular brand inhaler??

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can answer this for me. Over the years I have had various different types of salbutamol inhaler... ventolin, salamol, salamol easi-breathe, boots own brand.

I've never requested any one in particular these are just what I've been given. I have found that I prefer the easi-breathe the most. Can you ask for a particular brand as my prescription just says salbutamol inhaler or do you just have to get what you're given??

Thanks

Smithy

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I may be wrong, so if anyone knows more please correct me, but I'd understood GPs are encouraged to prescribe generically but can still prescribe specifically if needed.

So say you had an issue with the propellant in one version of the inhaler (it does seem to happen sometimes), or you were taking a medication where the generic version had an ingredient you were allergic to but another brand didn't, then I think your GP would be able to specify that they wanted you to have a specific brand not just 'drug name', though I imagine they'd have to document why somehow.

So would guess it depends on your GP and whether you can get them on board/explain why you prefer the Easi-Breathe, and if they agree then I *think* they would be able to specify the one you want.

I suppose it might also depend on different surgery/trust policies as well. I've never been given anything but Ventolin but my housemate seems to have a slightly different brand - he hardly ever uses his inhaler though (lucky b******) so maybe he got it ages ago where his parents live.

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Just ask your GP or asthma nurse to prescribe a salamol easi-breathe as this is the one you get on with best. It's important to have a reliever that's easy to use.

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I used to get generic easi-breathe salbutamol, it was a different name on the prescription to generic normal salbutamol so they should be able to be specific about the actual inhaled delivery type if you ask them. Although mine is generic I've only ever had Allen & hanburys Ventolin on the normal inhaler prescription but quite often get random foreign montelukast, my latest being Italian which has the days of the week printed on the packet (obviously has English translation sticker on) but I find this really handy when I can't remember if ive taken that days yet or not!

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You can ask for a specific type/brand, just explain why to your GP as the best way is probably for them to prescribe it as so.

It depends on local PCT (primary care trust) formulary and policies what will be supplied in regards to generic and other medications.

They no longer have the one I like best (the miniature CFC-free one with the case the same shape as a standard ventolin but shorter) on the prescribing list at my GP, but my asthma nurse told me that they have to carry at least one of each 'type' - so you should be able to just ask for the one you want, and even if they don't have that exact one they'll prescribe a generic that is a close match. Is it Salamol you mean?

.... Although mine is generic I've only ever had Allen & hanburys Ventolin on the normal inhaler prescription but quite often get random foreign montelukast, my latest being Italian which has the days of the week printed on the packet (obviously has English translation sticker on) but I find this really handy when I can't remember if ive taken that days yet or not! As far as I remember, I've always had Ventolin prescribed and dispensed. Have also had random montelukast and Seretide (amongst all my various other meds and tablets) from various countries, agree the days were quite useful though.

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my prescription has always specified exactly which inhaler i should be getting - i didn't even realise generic prescribing existed

Anyway i used to get Airomir autohaler but one time the chemist made a mistake and gave me the Airomir normal inhaler and i decided i liked that one better (it's smaller and quieter so easier to be discreet if i want to when taking it). I don't get my repeats done automatically so i just wrote a note on my repeat request that i'd like the Inhaler rather than Autohaler end ever since that's what i've got.

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There are two distinct groups of inhalers within those you are talking about:

MDIs which stands for Metered Dose Inhalers and usually means the ones that fit a spacer device and you have to either 'squeeze and breathe' simultaneously or use a spacer. Examples are Ventolin Inhaler and the smaller Salamol Inhaler.

Breath Actuated Inhalers still contain a pressurised cannister, but are activated by the act of you breathing in - hence the name 'Breath Actuated'. There is no need to squeeze and breath simultaneously. These include the Easi Breathe inhalers and another type you may encounter called Autohaler.

Prescriptions written generically for a MDI will result in the supply of one of the first kind of inhalers of any brand.

Prescriptions written generically for a breath-actuated inhaler will result in the supply of the latter kind.

There is also a further third type known as 'dry powder, inhalers. Brands include Asmasal Clickhaler and Ventolin Accuhaler. They don't have the same pressurised aerosol system as the first two.

For generically written prescriptions pharmacists will look for all these elements in a prescription and supply accordingly. Where there are several identical products of the same type, the government stipulate the standard price they will pay pharmacists for these prescriptions and it is up to the pharmacy to source a suitable product for that price or cheaper.

Overall to be sure of consistently getting the same inhaler it is advisable to ask your GP or asthma nurse to prescribe by brand name, or at least have a conversation with the pharmacy staff at the time you hand your prescription in to make sure they are aware of which inhaler you find most satisfactory and are expecting. That way they can liaise with the prescriber if necessary to sort things out to make sure you get the best treatment.

I hope this is helpful to those of you who have posted previously.