Nebulizer versus Inhaler and their Propellants

[Guest guest]

Matt,

I will ask my doctor if I can try a spacer for myself, since Albuterol

straight from the inhaler doesn't seem to do much for me. Other than a busy

doctors office, can you tell me where can I learn the " proper technique and

use " of this spacer?

I am assuming these studies you mentioned cannot be including children (or

at least not young ones). Have you read at what age a child can be trusted

to use an inhaler/spacer correctly? I think I was told 6 or 7!

My son was given a pediatric spacer for his Albuterol inhaler when he had

just turned two and would cry and fight me every time I put it over his

little face. Even as I held the spacer mask to his face for a few more than

the recommended amount of breaths (and he acted like I was smothering him

the whole time) I could tell he wasn't getting much out of it. Now that he

has replaced that with a nebulizer, I can see what a huge difference there

is in the delivery of the medication. The added bonus is that he doesn't

even mind the nebulizer mask and will willingly let me put it on him (it

really helps that he gets to watch the Tank Engine or Bob the Builder

during the treatment). I think the reason the spacer mask upsets him is

that it is somewhat airtight so it would be more likely to give the feeling

of suffocation than the nebulizer mask which allows air to flow. Anyway, at

least for the little ones (mine is two and a half now) I personally would

strongly recommend parents insist on the nebulizer versus not knowing how

much medication was transferred through the spacer.

I was actually hoping you would comment or shed some more light on the fact

that some of the propellants used in inhalers can cause problems themselves

and why on earth would some brands decide to use an ingredient that would

cause a reaction in those allergic to peanuts! I only know this because

when I had later asked for an RX of Atrovent (since it worked for my son in

the hospital) the pulmonologist's nurse told me he could use the liquid

vials but never the inhaler due to that propellant and his peanut allergy!

Thanks!

albuterol

>

> I had the same reaction to the nebulizer as I did to the inhaler.

Not

> only did it not relieve my asthma attack, but it prolonged it more

> than usual-about 3 hours. Has anyone ever had a reaction like this

to

> albuterol once and then was able to use it another time. Also, Does

> anyone know of any alternatives to albuterol as an emergency relief

> medicine? I am on Advair 500 to help control,which it does

somewhat,

> but seems like I am having more of a flare-up the last week.

> Prednisone at 60mg did not work for me either. My main concern is

> having something for emergencies.

> Thanks for any input,

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

The use of a spacer can be done at a very young age. If you child

is too young to use it, and you have to use the mask with it, I can

see where he/she would fight you. This will effect the amount

he/she gets in to his/her lungs. Cut and past this address into

your address bar for instructions on how to use a spacer.

yourhealth.calgaryhealthregion.ca/Topic. jsp?GUID=%7B7880BBB4-421D-

40CA-90E7-F1F60E925D69%7D

As for the propellant: Companies that make MDIs must have the MDI

approved by both the FDA and the EPA. If approved, this means that

the drug and the proplent is safe for MOST people. No one can make

a medications with out side effects. Every thing you put in your

body has side effects, even water. If one company uses a proplent

that has undesirable side effects, try another brand. Albuterol is

sold by many companies. You can also switch to the dry powder or

pill form of the medication.

> >

> > I agree that Xopenex seems to be better than Albuterol. Xopenex

> > (levalbuterol HCl) is supposedly a more refined version of

> Albuterol. It is

> > good for kids because it does not make them as hyper as

Albuterol,

> but it is

> > very expensive and often not covered by insurance. I am not sure

> that it

> > wouldn't cause a similar reaction for you (since I think it is

the

> same type

> > of drug) so you might be taking a chance if you tried it. On the

> other

> > hand, you might want to ask your doctor about Atrovent inhalation

> solution

> > (or the generic term is Ipratropium). My (toddler) son only had

> to use this

> > once so far when he was having a bad attack. The hospital had

> given him 2

> > hours of nebulized Albuterol without much success but it was only

> after they

> > added Atrovent to the nebulizer that he seemed to stop having his

> > retractions. I am not sure if this stuff can be a direct

> substitute for

> > Albuterol or not as I believe it is supposed to be used in

> conjuction with

> > or after having had Albuterol.

> > Another time my son was given Prednisolone for a bad attack,

which

> is an

> > extremely powerful liquid oral steroid, over a several day course

> (I think

> > it is the liquid version of Prednisone). This worked pretty

> quickly for

> > him.

> > If you do try either Xopenex or Atrovent, I would definitely

> suggest trying

> > the nebulized liquid vial version versus the inhaler (unless you

> are away

> > from home and have no choice) because not only is this a more

> effective way

> > for the medicine to get into the lungs but also I have heard that

> SOME

> > propellants in some inhalers may have bad side effects. For

> example, the

> > propellant in some inhalers can cause a reaction in those with a

> peanut

> > allergy. (I was told this is true of the Atrovent inhaler but

not

> the vials

> > for the nebulizer and that it eventually may become true even in

> Albuterol

> > inhalers). I know that seems crazy but that is what I heard. I

> have no

> > medical background, the above is just what I have learned since

> recently

> > having to help my son manage his asthma. So please check with

> your doctor

> > about any suggestions.

> > Hopefully your asthma doctor can tell you if any of the above are

> an option

> > for you and then explain it in more detail.

> > Good Luck!

> >

> >

> > albuterol

> >

> > I had the same reaction to the nebulizer as I did to the inhaler.

> Not

> > only did it not relieve my asthma attack, but it prolonged it

more

> > than usual-about 3 hours. Has anyone ever had a reaction like

this

> to

> > albuterol once and then was able to use it another time. Also,

Does

> > anyone know of any alternatives to albuterol as an emergency

relief

> > medicine? I am on Advair 500 to help control,which it does

> somewhat,

> > but seems like I am having more of a flare-up the last week.

> > Prednisone at 60mg did not work for me either. My main concern

is

> > having something for emergencies.

> > Thanks for any input,

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >