Inhalers

[Crankdingo]

How meny times a day can the blue inhaler be used please and also how much are the blue inhalers to buy on average.

[Damon1864]

Hi, my community matron told me I could use it up to six times a day three puffs at a time

Hope this helps. Love Bernadette 😳 xxx

[Crankdingo in reply to Damon1864]

Thank you.

[swiftjo]

With my son we’ve been told so many different things in terms of number of puffs by a few Drs however the consistent message we’ve had is that the puffs you give as per their plan should last four hours. For us if it doesn’t last four hours and he is coping he needs to see a Dr that day, if he doesn’t recover after 10 puffs within an hour then A&E. Thankfully he’s alway lasted the four hours and recovered so far. My son is in his 3rd year of using inhalers and I’m still finding it a complete minefield, we are getting to know what works tho and what’s not normal for him. Good luck.

[Taztarr]

I posted this recently in reply to a similar question querying the 8 puffs a day rule. Hope it's helpful:

"I read a similar post yesterday and one of the replies mentioned NICE guidelines: so I looked them up and here they are bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/salbut...

In a nutshell for normal asthma the recommended dosage is "100–200 micrograms, up to 4 times a day for persistent symptoms." (A puff is 100 micrograms so this is where the 8 puffs a day comes from i.e. 4 x 2 100 microgram doses)

However, for life-threatening acute asthma the recommended dosage is "2–10  puffs, each puff is to be inhaled separately, repeat every 10–20 minutes or when required, give via large volume spacer."

Hopefully this helps clarify"

[starveycat]

I tried to buy a blue inhaler and told I could not. If I was in difficulties they would then help me , so I put in an urgent prescription request as the one I had was not working correctly

[Superzob]

With the greatest respect, I don't think this is the right approach. If you need a blue inhaler frequently you would have been prescribed a longer acting inhaler as a preventer; the blue one is for relief from short term flare ups. I would suggest going back to your GP or asthma nurse to check your symptoms and prescribe the best solution.

[risabel59]

In terms of day to day use, if you are using a blue inhaler more than 3 times a week (other than for exercise) your asthma is not controlled and you need other medication. Or at least that is what my consultant says.

The blue inhaler is a reliever, it does nothing to help the underlying inflammation, which is why most people are now prescribed a preventer inhaler or Montelukast.

Some people with mild/intermittent asthma are only prescribed a blue inhaler, and they should take it as prescribed.

If I start having to use my reliever more than 3 times a week, I step up my medication in line with my written asthma plan. If I am continuously in my "orange zone" despite additional medication I get to the doctor asap.

If you are unwell and can't breathe, you can take a lot of puffs in a day, I have been known to use as many as 30 puffs (3 lots of 10 puffs) in day with a spacer, if I haven't had my nebuliser with me. It is almost impossible to overdose on Salbutamol, but it will give you heart palpitations and make you feel shaky.

Also I wouldn't be taking that much Salbutamol without consulting either my GP or consultant, except in an emergency.

But in terms of your question, you can't buy Blue inhalers over the counter in the UK. You can in other parts of europe and other countries. They cost between about 8-12 GBP.

But don't risk your health, see a doctor, taking unlimited salbutamol without dealing with the problem properly could lead to a life threatening asthma attack.

R

[Crankdingo in reply to risabel59]

Blue inhalers in Turkey cost £1.40

[Cavair in reply to risabel59]

i agree with this reply. sounds like he needs a preventitive which needs taking regularly. I'm 65 now and had asthma since teens and didnt take preventative as I should (available treatments improved vastly since then!)..long term it will cause inflammation in lungs if it's not controlled. steroid inhalers/tablets should only be short term doses to help control. steroids can also lead to diabetes if used too much/too often ...I suppose it was once regarded as a miracle drug but it was used too much when I was young as I also had ezcema and in those days they used full strength steroid creams. so these days the medics are more aware and prescribe short dose steroids.

hope this helps.

all the best.

[Paradigm]

On my plan, I am allowed 12 puffs a day, two puffs at a time (so, 6 doses) except for emergencies. However, I was also told not to avoid taking if I needed more than the guidelines, but that I am to seek medical attention.

[nickpeters]

To be honest this is like asking 'how long is a bit of string'! The usage is dependent on the severity of your asthma, PLUS ANY OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS YOU MAY HAVE. What is recommended for one person could be harmful for another. The only advice you should listen to is from your GP, Consultant or Asthma Nurse. If you are unhappy with their suggestion then ask for a second opinion.

While this site is very supportive and often offers excellent advice, please don't think because one person is told to take the blue inhaler 10 times a day it is safe or correct for you, please listen to your GP.

All the best

Nick

[Crankdingo]

Hi all, seen a doctor he's put me on secretive 500 plus a orange inhaler, flu preventive tablets about a week now, but still can't walk up stairs in one go, will it get any better or am I like this for the rest of my life. Thank you.