Ventolin nebules

[Blue58]

As a brittle asthmatic I have been nebulising on ventolin nebules for some years now which I have always found works much better for me than a generic salbutamol but have now been told that ventolin nebules have been discontinued. Anyone else having the same problem? I guess the generic ones are cheaper and maybe the manufacturer can't compete with the cheaper versions. It's just a shame when you know that some medications work better for you than others. GP has never had a problem prescribing Ventolin as they too know it works better for me so it is not down to GPs trying to prescribe something cheaper.

[sassy59]

Hi Blue58, at the moment Pete still has Ventolin nebules but hasn’t needed to order any for quite a while. We won’t really know until he does. I hope he still gets Ventolin as he’s fine on that. Can you speak to your GP? Xxx

[Hidden]

It's interesting that you say that. I have always had ventolin nebules until last week when I noticed that I was given generic salbutamol. Strange.

[PaulineRich]

I use the Ventolin Nebules until last week when my chemist called me to tell me they were having trouble getting them, production problems he said and to get my doctor to prescribe something different

[Angelgoth]

I also use ventolin nebules and have not been told anything

[knitter]

That’s a worry, I use Combivent nebules occasionally ….it was discontinued as an inhaler years ago….but it works well for me when I need it .I will check if they are still available .

Thanks for the information.

[Spotthejock]

During a period recently I was suffering from a heavy cold,my nose was continually running which was really annoying.My friend suggested I borrowed her nebuliser and ventolin nebules to try.

I can say trying the nebuliser worked a treat,I couldn't believe it the next day my runny nose dried up my cold disappeared,now that may have been a co-incidence,perhaps my cold had just finally run out of steam.

Anyway I returned the nebuliser and ventolin nebules to my friend then ordered a nebuliser through Amazon,the nebuliser arrived within a couple of days.Now to contact my GP for a prescription for the ventolin nebules.Her reaction was really over the top,Eric there's no way you should be using a nebuliser and ventolin, since you have COPD it could seriously damage your health,you could well end up in hospital,there's no way I am going to prescribe ventolin for you.

Anyone here want to buy cheaply a brand new nebuliser unused?.

[cassie46 in reply to Spotthejock]

I am curious - what medication are you one for COPD. I normally live on the AF forum as I have AF, heart failure and mild COPD and I have a monthly prescription for a ventolin inhaler (prescription always says Sabutamol but chemist always gives me Ventolin) for the COPD. This was first prescribed when I was in hospital (with viral infection) about 2 years ago. I have been admitted to hospital quite a lot of times with breathing problems and heart rate problems and first thing they normally do is stick you on a nebuliser. I do know that I have to be careful with venotlin as it does increase the heart rate , so have to monitored for that. I bought a Nebuliser about two years ago, just before covid really took off as I thought it might help when I get one of these infections, I asked my GP if she would prescribe the nebules and she was not keen, she preferred that it was monitored by medical staff. I do use it when breathing gets difficult but only use the saline solution available.

So I am really curious how ventolin could seriously damage your health.

Cassie

[Spotthejock in reply to cassie46]

Hi Cassie, I have two inhalers to take daily,Spiriva Restpimat and Simibicourt 200.Both ingalers taken two puffs daily.

[Balloo in reply to Spotthejock]

This is real rubbish . When I first diognosed with COPD. Now 8 years ago my doc said let’s try a Nebulizer yes I bought mine .& iprotropian . My COPD is post TB .living Africa still here 72 .but have aufull osteoporosis osteoarthritis .cause agreed take steroids . Persist

[Bevvy in reply to Spotthejock]

Many GPs are reluctant to prescribe nebules for nebuliser. The common view is that it is risky because people who use nebulisers often don’t call for emergency help when required 🤷‍♀️. I do have a nebuliser and was suggested by my gp at the time. We discussed the risks and he explained when I should seek emergency assistance. Further GPs have also supported this and having a nebuliser has kept me out of hospital several times. When I have been extremely unwell I have (under gp guidance) used nebuliser 4X per day with gp appointments every 2-3 days.

Personally I believe as sensible adults we should be treated as such and whilst with some people it would be unadvisable many others would benefit from being “allowed “ to manage their own health conditions!!

[Alberta56 in reply to Bevvy]

i quite agree, especially since some of us know a great deal more about our conditions than the medics who are supposed to be treating us.

[Thepainterswife in reply to Bevvy]

My husband has two nebulisers, one in the living room , one in the bedroom both prescribed by the respiratory consultant along with salbutamol and saline . Without them I think he would spend more time in hospital than at home . We’ve never had a problem getting them in fact they’re on his monthly repeat prescription have been for four years . We’ve recently told the pharmacist to temporarily stop them as we had too many in stock but we only have to say when we need them starting again 😊

[Karenanne61]

During hospital admissions I have used a nebuliser but I was told that if I was poorly enough to need a nebuliser then I needed to be in hospital. But we are all different.

[Jaybird19]

All the pharmacists are finding cheaper versions yhat claim to be the same . We can only try them and then report back if they are not as good . I had my clenil reinstated when I found the unit of the relacement itself didn't work as well. The mechanics are as important as the constituents.

[Hidden]

GSK discontinued Ventolin nebs quite recently. I’m ok with the generic ones but find the generic salbutamol inhalers much less effective. I presume it’s the propellant

[floating_ in reply to Hidden]

I didn't think the nebules had a propellant?

[Hidden in reply to floating_]

No, I meant the inhalers. I was comparing nebs v inhaler

[Tugun]

Hi Blue58,

You've shocked me. I'll have to go and check at my local chemist. I don't often use nebules but when I need it, I like to know that I'm with a brand I can trust.

You are correct - not all brands are the same. One year my chemist gave me a generic brand ( I live in Australia). After opening it I took it back to complain. I also met someone else at the chemist who had a similar complaint. I was lucky that I didn't desperately need it when I opened it.

The Glaxosmithkline Ventolin nebules were easy to open and were in a high grade plastic.

I couldn't open the generic brand by hand. I had to find scissors - a dangerous thing if you can't breathe and are desperate. Once I opened the foil, I was hit by the most foul smelling, chemical odour that got into my lungs. There was NO WAY I was going to breathe in a salbutamol that had been contained in that plastic. The smell would have permeated the solution.

So yes, you need to try a few or get some ideas of the better brands from the forum.