Help - clenil shortage

[Mrs_s1001]

Hello, I am really worried and have no idea what to do now. My 6 year old son uses clenil 50mg inhaler and it’s out of stock everywhere. I have been waiting for the pharmacy to get it for the last 2 weeks and have now been told there’s none. His current one is very low and has at best a few days left in it.

Without it we have spent a number of occasions in hospital requiring oxygen and given the current situation this is last place anyone wants to be. The nhs also don’t need avoidable cases like that.

The pharmacy were unhelpful and just said “see if you can borrow one off another asthmatic child”. I don’t know any so I have no idea what I’m supposed to do now!

Does anyone know of any alternatives or can anyone offer any advice? I will buy one from somewhere or someone if I have to, I’m desperate for my baby not to have to be ill.

Thank you

[Troilus]

Get on to your GP and ask him to prescribe an alternative just for this month. With a bit of luck that will mean your son will have that and his usual Centil.

There are on line pharmacies. I have used one called pharmacia in the past when I was going on holiday. Sorry I can’t be more precise but it was a U.K. company, registered pharmacy.

If you search it should come up, but try your GP first.

[GFloss]

Could you contact any other local pharmacies or trusted online pharmacies to see if they have stock? I had an email from Superdrug to say they're running an online GP and medication service (their blurb specifically mentioned asthma) but don't know if there's a charge for this. If you're lucky enough to be on a private health plan some of those are running free virtual GP sessions for their members for non-virus issues. Otherwise, yes, call your GP and see if there's another brand/option.

[KnPoa]

Contact your GP or ring 111 they will be able to do a prescription and send it to a pharmacy who may have it in stock.

[Ts777]

I would contact my gp. They’ll just prescribe an alternative, there are plenty out there.

[Marmosette]

How frustrating and worrying for you- hopefully the GP can arrange an alternative or you could try an online prescribing service like this one. I’m not sure if they’ll have any though if there’s a shortage at source... an alternative might be the best option.

i-gp.uk/

[Summerbliss12]

Try superdrug. I had to get my blue one via them.

[MELNEL]

I agree with the comment below, there should be an alternative to get, best to get in touch with the GP to get the alternative prescription. If not get in touch here with the asthma nurses or call hospital helpline, there must be someone who can help you and your boy.

❤️

[Chip_y2kuk]

My little girl (4) is on clenil 100 and has had the same problem

We asked what alternatives there where and qvar 100 is the closest alternative (it's still beclomethasone but bigger particles)

So we got gp to send prescription over for that and got it dispensed the same day (pharmacist had already put it to one side with a label on it)

Chip

[Xiave in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

Just a heads up that Qvar 100 is actually twice as potent as Clenil 100 (and your GP should know that!). The equivalent Qvar is Qvar 50. If you've got the 100 then half her normal Clenil doses so she gets the same amount.

[Hidden]

Hi,

I used Pharmacia last week to purchase a Ventolin inhaler as still waiting for my pharmacy to get some in. Easy to use website and very quick delivery.

They also offer an nhs prescription service, worth giving them a call and see what they can do, otherwise your doctor will need to provide you will an alternative inhaler.

Hope all works out for you and your son.

[Tittlemouse]

I had exactly the same problem and my pharmacist recommended qvar 50 cg easibreathe so we’re trying that for a month . It’s annoying that the asthma nurse continued prescribing it when she knew there was a shortage !

[Jacoel]

You need to put an urgent call into your GP. And you need to phone all your local pharmacies to check if they can get one or have stock.

[Mrs_s1001]

Thank you all for your tips and replies. After a full day on the phone yesterday, several strops and tears I finally have a prescription for something called symbacort. Apparently it’s a different device so I’ll need to be shown how to use it. Fingers crossed the pharmacy will have this one 🤞

I can’t believe how stressful and difficult it has been to get to this point. I felt awful for having to push it and bother people during a busy/difficult time but thankfully there are some kind people still out there!

[JoMB]

Hi, I ordered my Clenil Modulite 100 and collected what I thought was it this morning, I got home and they have issued me with kelhale 50. Icalked to ask and I was advised that our doctors were moving a lot of people into this. Maybe call your doctors and see if this is suitable for your son

Jo