How Do I Get An Asthma Inhaler

Asthma Triggers To Avoid

Inhalers offer short-term relief and long-term control.

If inhalers are not available, you can avoid asthma triggers to reduce the risk of having a flare-up.

Asthma triggers to avoid include:

• Intense exercise
• Strong smells such as perfumes or tobacco smoke
• Cleaning and disinfection supplies
• Infections linked to influenza, cold, and respiratory syncytial virus

Even if you get mild asthma symptoms throughout the year, it is still best to get regular checkups with your healthcare provider.

Sometimes other respiratory illnesses can present themselves the same as asthma, so it is important to make sure you have the correct diagnosis.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, if you have to use an OTC inhaler twice within a week or 2 or more nights a month, then you should contact a doctor.

What Is An Asthma Action Plan

Your healthcare provider will work with you to develop an asthma action plan. This plan tells you how and when to use your medicines. It also tells you what to do if your asthma gets worse and when to seek emergency care. Understand the plan and ask your healthcare provider about anything you dont understand.

Do I Need A Doctor To Get An Inhaler

You will need to speak with a doctor to get a prescription inhaler, which is the first line of treatment for those with breathing conditions such as asthma.

Asthma is a chronic condition that can get worse over time. Please do not wait for your asthma or breathing problems to get better on their own.

If you need an inhaler, make an appointment with PlushCare today to speak with a doctor.

You can schedule an appointment to speak with a board-certified physician about your breathing problems and asthma signs and symptoms. If you are already diagnosed with asthma, talk with your provider about treatment options or if you have questions about your medications or prescriptions.

You can book an appointment here or download the free PlushCare mobile app. The average appointment lasts just 15 minutes, and 97% of conditions are successfully treated on the first visit.

Recommended Reading: Can You Get Asthma Inhalers For Free

Do Asthma Medicines Have Side Effects

Yes. All medicines have side effects. Tell your doctor how you are responding to the treatment and if you have any side effects. Follow up often with your doctor so you can control your asthma with the least amount of medicines and with the fewest side effects.

Medical Review: June 2021 by S. Allan Bock, MD Maureen George, PhD, RN, AEC, FAAN and Sumita Khatri, MD, MS

References1. Bonds, R., Asawa, A. and Ghazi, A. . Misuse of medical devices: a persistent problem in self-management of asthma and allergic disease. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 114, pp.74-76.e2.

Asthma Action Plan

Who Is Ventolin For

is used in asthma, as a reliever treatment. It is used on-demand to provide relief from symptoms of the condition, such as shortness of breath or wheezing.

It is available as a dry powder inhaler , a metered dose inhaler , a syrup, and as a solution administered via a nebuliser.

All of these treatments are prescription-only medications . This means that a pharmacy cannot provide you with them unless your doctor has completed a prescription for you.

If you have been diagnosed with asthma, your doctor, nurse or asthma specialist will organise an asthma action plan with you. The aim of this is to keep your asthma as well managed as possible. The plan will outline how and when you should take your medication.

In the UK, all asthma patients receive a prescription for reliever medication such as a Ventolin or Salbutamol inhaler. Most asthmatics use a reliever inhaler which is often referred to as a blue inhaler.

Ventolin Accuhaler and Evohaler both fall into this category.

However its important to remember that the colour of inhalers can vary and you should not solely rely on colour to identify the medication you are using.

Read Also: Can You Get Asthma As An Adult

When Is The Right Time To Dispose Of Inhalers

The average lifespan of an inhaler is one year. Therefore, if you have an inhaler lying around for longer than a year, it needs to be disposed of immediately.

If you are unsure about when to dispose of an inhaler, refer to the list below. As per the following list, you should dispose of your inhaler:

• when it expires after a year.
• when it gets broken or damaged.
• when it starts leaking.
• if it drowns in water.
• when there is no more medication left.
• if it gets contaminated by any means.

Do You Need An Inhaler How To Tell And What Type You Might Need

Many of us see or come across people using inhalers for several reasons, and were all familiar with asthma as a common health condition for which many people use inhalers. If you observe a person using an inhaler, youll possibly notice its because theyre having difficulty breathing. Using an inhaler helps individuals obtain quick relief from breathing problems.

There are times where we can all feel short of breath, find difficulty in breathing, and so on. So, does that mean we also need an inhaler?

This article will provide a walkthrough to answer the question do you need an inhaler? How to decide if you do need an inhaler, the types of inhalers that are available, and much more.

But first, heres the quick reference answer to get you some much-needed info, then well get into more of the details around the topic.

Do You Need An Inhaler? Not all asthma symptoms require an inhaler as there is a risk it can cause psychological dependence. The following are some severe asthma signs that may need the use of an inhaler-

• Frequent bothersome asthma symptoms
• Breathing complications, making it difficult to sleep
• Asthma symptoms that cause frequent doctor visits

But how do you know if you need an inhaler or not? What signs should you be looking out for? Lets explore this aspect further.

Don’t Miss: Is Running Good For Asthma

Will I Always Have To Take The Same Amount Of Medicine

Not always. You will probably take more medicine when you begin treatment to get control of your asthma. Work with your doctor to learn which medicine control your asthma best and how much you need. Once your asthma is well-controlled, your doctor may be able to reduce the amount of medicine you take. The goal is to gain control of your asthma as soon as possible and then control it with as little medicine as possible. Once long-term anti-inflammatory therapy begins, your doctor should monitor you every one to six months. This is to see how your asthma medicines are working and if your asthma is well controlled.

Preventer Inhaler Side Effects

Preventer inhalers have a number of common side effects. These include a sore throat, hoarse voice and a mouth infection known as thrush.

Inhalers used to treat asthma contain steroids and higher doses of steroids can cause some further side effects. Your doctor will try to keep you on the lowest dose of asthma treatment to reduce the amount of steroids you need to use. However, for moderate and severe cases of asthma, you may need a higher dose. Less common side effects of inhalers will not affect everyone but may affect some people with asthma.

These less common side effects include:

• increased appetite
• puffiness, especially around the face
• high blood pressure
• weakening of the bones

If you have any concerns about side effects caused by your asthma inhalers it is important to continue to take your medication whilst seeking medical advice, unless you think you are having an allergic reaction, in which case you should seek advice as an emergency. You should speak to your GP before stopping your medication, even if you are worried about side effects. Stopping medication without expert advice could make your symptoms get worse or you could suffer a life-threatening asthma attack. Your GP will be able to adjust your asthma medication plan in order to manage any side effects.

Back to top

You May Like: Is Copd Related To Asthma

Are There Otc Asthma Medications

The only FDA-approved over-the-counter medication for asthma treatment is Primatene Mist.

But research in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society shows its misuse can lead to dangerous side effectsand prescription treatments like albuterol are far more effective.

Thats why the experts say you should never use an OTC medication to treat asthma without talking to your doctor first. Along with this increased risk of side effects, relying on OTC medicines can delay proper care or interfere with other medications you take.

However, if allergies trigger your asthma, Dr. Perera says that OTC antihistamines or nasal steroid sprays may help improve symptoms. Again, its important to get your doctors sign-off before taking any medication.

Keep Your Inhaler Clean

Look at the hole where the medicine sprays out of your inhaler. If you see powder in or around the hole, clean your inhaler.

• Remove the metal canister from the L-shaped plastic mouthpiece.
• Rinse only the mouthpiece and cap in warm water.
• Let them air-dry overnight.
• In the morning, put the canister back inside. Put the cap on.
• DO NOT rinse any other parts.

Dont Miss: Does Medical Marijuana Help Asthma

Also Check: How Long Till Prednisone Works For Asthma

Why Your Inhaler Technique Is Important

Good inhaler technique, whether thats your preventer or reliever inhaler, helps you to breathe the medicine straight into your lungs, where its needed. Youre less likely to get side effects because the medicine isnt being absorbed into the rest of your body. This gives you the best chance of managing your asthma symptoms.

Even if you think your inhaler technique is OK, there may still be room for improvement so that more of the medicine gets deep into your lungs. Incorrect inhaler technique is associated with poor asthma control.

If you find it difficult to use your inhaler

Check your inhaler technique with your GP, asthma nurse, or pharmacist. They might recommend a different type of inhaler if youre finding your one difficult to use. For example, a dry powder inhaler can be much easier to use, as it doesnt require as much hand strength as a metered-dose inhaler.

Some people use devices such as Haleraid® to help with pressing the inhaler canister. This device has been discontinued, but were looking into alternatives. Ask your GP, asthma nurse, or pharmacist for advice about other inhalers or tools to help if you have limited hand strength.

Benefits of good inhaler technique

If youre using your preventer inhaler as prescribed, and using the right inhaler technique, it can help you:

Knowing Your Asthma Action Plan Is Step One

For most people with asthma, managing the chronic condition involves a multi-pronged approach tailored to your symptoms and lifestyle.

Step one for everyone, however, is having a firm grasp of your asthma action plan.

Work with your doctor to create an asthma action plan that covers how to:

• Take your medication properly
• Quit smoking, if you do

In addition, monitor your symptoms carefully. Keep track of what they are, when they occur, and their severity.

Journal of Asthma and Allergy,

• In cold, dry air
• In environments with airborne irritants, such as cigarette smoke

Recommended Reading: Spiriva Respimat Dosing For Asthma

How To Get An Inhaler Without Seeing A Doctor

If you suffer from breathing problems or asthma, you may need an inhaler.

Also called a bronchodilator, an inhaler is a device that helps people get the necessary medicine into their lungs quickly and easily.

The medicine works as a mist or spray that is released by a pump to help open tight airways.

There are two kinds of inhalers: Many asthma patients rely on a metered-dose inhaler as a part of their asthma treatment plan.

These inhalers have a chemical propellant that pushes a specific dose of medicine from a pressurized canister, and delivers it directly into your lungs.

Dry powder inhalers provide medicine without propellants, but patients must be able to coordinate their breathing enough to use their inhaler correctly.

You can get an inhaler by setting up an online appointment with your doctor or visiting your local pharmacy for over-the-counter options.

In this article, Ill explore how to get an inhaler without a doctors visit, how inhalers work, and when you should see a doctor about asthma or your inhaler.

Check List For Good Usage

• Ask a health professional to demonstrate how to use your inhaler and check your technique.
• Make sure the inhaler is not past its expiry date.
• Make sure your inhaler is not empty.
• If you are using a spacer, make sure it is clean visit the Australian Asthma Handbook for recommendations on how to clean a spacer.

Recommended Reading: What Causes Asthma In Children

Different Kinds Of Inhalers

There are three basic types of inhalers that deliver medications. The most common is the metered-dose inhaler which uses pressure to push the medication out of the inhaler. Nebulizers use air or oxygen and deliver a mist of the medication through a tube or mask that fits over your nose and mouth. Dry powder inhalers deliver medication, but they require a strong and fast inhalation.

Short-acting bronchodilators are used as quick-relief, reliever, or rescue inhalers. These bronchodilators open the airways and help stop or relieve acute asthma attacks very quickly. While theyre best known for working on sudden attacks, theyre also great to use before exercise to help stop asthma during your workout.

While many people use short-acting bronchodilators, the overuse of an inhaler, tablet, or liquid/nebulizer, is a sign of uncontrolled asthma that needs better treatment. If you are using short-acting bronchodilators more than twice a week, call Charleston Allergy & Asthma about improving your asthma control therapy.

Long-acting bronchodilators provide control, not quick relief, of asthma. Your board-certified allergist will prescribe the medication, which is usually taken twice a day along with inhaled steroids for long-term monitoring of symptoms.

Unlike short-acting inhalers, long-acting inhalers do not work on muscle inflammation directly. Instead, they help the airways relax, allowing more air to pass through.

Getting An Inhaler Without A Doctors Visit

Asthma is a condition that affects about 1 in 13 Americans, and impacts both adults and children.

When someone has asthma, their lungs are hyperresponsive to triggers that cause their airways to become inflamed, cause their chest muscles to constrict, and may cause an excessive production of mucus, or phlegm.

When this happens, it can be difficult to breathe.

Asthma is the main reason for needing an inhaler. When an asthma sufferer experiences symptoms, or a more severe increase of symptoms called an asthma attack, an inhaler can provide quick relief of symptoms.

Other inhalers are used for long-term control of asthma symptoms.

While you do not need a doctors visit to get an inhaler, it is recommended for severe cases that you speak with a medical expert who can help you get the medication you need.

You can do this by setting up an online appointment with your doctor.

Also Check: Where To Recycle Asthma Inhalers

What Are Reliever Inhalers

Reliever inhalers provide fast relief from the symptoms of asthma. A reliever inhaler works by relaxing the muscles in your airways which makes it easier for you to breathe. It works rapidly and can be used at any time when you notice symptoms of an asthma attack. So, it is important to keep your reliever inhaler with you all of the time.

How Much Do Asthma Inhalers Cost Without Insurance In 2021

Inhalers are the most common treatment for asthma, a condition that makes it difficult to breathe. The average cost of a brand-name asthma inhaler without insurance is $292.91. Factors that may affect the cost of an inhaler are the type of inhaler you need and using a brand name over a generic inhaler.

If you are looking to reduce the cost of your asthma inhaler, Mira has you covered. For only $45 a month, Mira users get up to 80% off over 1000 different prescription medications, inhalers included. Save money, stress less, improve your healthcare. for Mira today.

Also Check: When Does Asthma Become Copd

Is It Possible To Recycle Inhalers At Home

No, unfortunately, inhalers cannot be recycled or repurposed at home.

When it is the right time to dispose of your inhaler, you should look for safe disposal options instead of trying to recycle it or throwing it in the trash.

This is not just for homes. Recycling of inhalers is not even encouraged on a commercial level.

Currently, only a few pharmaceutical companies are allowed to carry out medical waste recycling programs.

The only way to get rid of your old inhalers is to dispose of them through safe and legal means.

Buy Asthma Inhalers Online

Click & Collect: free Next Day Delivery: £3.99Dispensing and standard delivery included.

Also Check: Can You Vape With Asthma