Twice my doctors surgery has refused me an inhaler as I wasn't due to get a new prescription yet. Although it was winter and had to use my inhalers more often (as recommended by the asthma nurse) due to several chest infections. My asthma is well controlled till I catch colds and flu in winter.
Has anyone else had this issue and any ideas why the doctor is doing this as asthma is a life threatening condition.
No idea why this is so. But I find that you can order the next prescription up to a max of five days before the due date, this then brings the next due date forward by five days. If you stick to this regime, you can get 14 prescriptions in 12 months. Thus having spare meds in case of extra use/ can’t get out of the house to collect etc etc.
Have you spoken to the dispensary and explained your situations to see if they can help?
I think I would make an appointment with your gp if you have been refused twice. You need to speak to them, and they need to be clear why you are asking. I know others have had similar experiences. Talking to your pharmacist is also a good idea, and it could be worth talking to the nurses on Asthma U.K. as well for advice how to manage this. I am sorry, I don’t have their number in my head, but it can be easily found on their website - and the nurses there are really helpful!
Absolutely disgusting I have one in my handbag one next to my bed as well as a spare in the kitchen. I agree with Clanger49 order as soon as possible and explain to your doc. Some days I don't need mine at all other days I will need them several times
Hi ,
When you say your doctor's surgery, do you mean the actual doctors or the admin. who run the appointments. If it's the admin get an appointment with a GP. If it's the doctor's then, if possible, go to another surgery and see another doctor. If it's the admin, they may not have explained the situation correctly to the doctor.
I agree with Starveycat, I need - not just want - spares. They're there in case I run out or forget to take it with me or lose my purse. I have a spare in my car, in the house and in my purse. Your GP needs to help you get not only another but also a spare. If the GP won't give you a spare then check with your consultant next time you see them to get a spare.
Hello Cheezy12 ,
I feel very strongly that you need an urgent appointment with your regular Gp. to resolve this dangerous situation. I have bought two children who had difficulty controlling their asthma in winter.Winter colds and sudden temperature changes were their main triggers . Not to mention being prone to chest infections. You need to request an urgent review of how your asthma is being managed?
All doctors must be aware of the potential for seasonal changes in inhaler use? You should not feel guilty for using your inhaler as often as needed.
You should not be in danger because of budgets. You should have access to you spray as needed? We are not robots and have variable needs .
Could you ask for an urgent telephone call from the practice manager? they should be helping you? You cannot be without an inhaler.
Best of luck in resolving this.
There have been others who have complained about not getting as many salbutamol, (blue) inhalers as they would wish. When you write "inhalers" do you mean only the blue ones or the prreventers as well?
Many of us have ordinary common colds which change into chest infections. If increasing my preventer inhalers don't work I get a same-day appointment to see a doctor who prescribes steroids and antibiotics. I always have a flu injection each winter.
If you are having to take your blue inhaler more than about twice a week then your asthma is not controlled properly and you must get an appointment to see a doctor.
My local GP has previously refused my salbutamol refills as 'you can't need more and if you are using them up that quickly you are not asthmatic' this is a massive issue for me as I have brittle asthma which means I can be fine for months but during an attack I can empty 2-3 inhalers in less than an hour.
I refuse to the particular doctor now and have got round the issue by making sure I order a blue inhaler with every prescription needed or not because then I know I will have enough to cover me in the event of an attack
You shouldn't have to "get round" medical advice. You may find nhs.uk/medicines/salbutamol... useful, whether or not you are in the UK.
I understand why they do this and its not just asthma meds it's all medication.
It is to prevent misuse of medication and also stockpiling as medications have a best before date and if you order more than needed it can go off.
They do this because if you are needing to use more frequently then there is a problem and you should get an appointment with Dr and review it.
I had this issue when I had my last infection re ventolin when I saw GP I said always like to have spare. I have one by bed and one in coat pocket.
So my GP changed from 60dose to 120 dose which means instead of one inhaler I get two every time I order.
During a recent infection that laid me low for 8 weeks at start of infection saw GP Mon 10/12 was on 5day rescue prednisolone, seretide 50/500, Ventolin 200 and monteleukast gave sputum sample.
Gradually worse during week paramedics nebulised me Thurs 13/12, saw GP Fri 14/12 told Moraxella Catarrhalis (bacterial infection identified from sputum test) sent me to A&E - hospital nebulised, bloods, chest xray and asked questions. Gave antibiotics and more prednisolone.
Before left booked me appt with respiratory nurse mon 17/12 at hospital. From seeing GP on 10th to seeing Nurse on 17th I had used one of the 2 Ventolin inhalers my GP had prescribed on 10th.
The nurse took me off Seretide 50/500 as was on max dose and couldn't take more so was using ventolin more. (been on same inhaler over 10years).
Changed to a SMART/MART regime with a plan for Duoresp Spiramax which I can increase from 2puffs twice a day to 2puffs 4times a day and can still take my ventolin with this.
When I am well before Dec, I was not ordering every month but I always order when one of the 2 gets really low.
Having 120 dose (2inhalers) on repeats ordered at same time seems to be working better.
I personally would sit in the gp waiting room until I got one you have a desease which is fatal remind them .
I had this last week !
My Ashma has got really bad to the point of me needing 2 blue inhalers for 1 week (52 puffs a day).
I put in for a repeat prescription last week. Chemist called and said they refused it, called reception and I didn’t realise that the actual admin staff can do the automatic prescriptions as long as all the dates match up when your due them. Because I needed more she had to speak to the gP and get them to Wright another prescription.
All I did was explain to the admin and she put it to the gp for me.
Oral thrush and Inhaled steroids 
medical practice changing my inhaler for no apparent reason 
Stopping inhalers prior investigation. 
