Are You Concerned About the Shortage of Albuterol Inhalers? We’d Like to Help…

Albuterol sulfate Blog Image- albuterol inhaler device and medicine

The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) has reported that some areas around the country are experiencing shortages in albuterol inhalers. The shortage will probably spread throughout the U.S. News updated on April 9, 2020: https://acaai.org/news/message-asthma-sufferers-about-shortage-albuterol-metered-dose-inhalers.

A shortage of medications in the USA does not mean patients are stuck. Americans have access to trusted sources of these medications.

There are plenty of Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA) certified online pharmacies such as CheapoMeds that can provide safety and affordable medications from trusted sources around the world.

What is the albuterol inhaler?

Albuterol is a bronchodilator, a medication that relaxes muscles in the airway, that is important for those who suffer from asthma. Albuterol inhalers provide quick-relief of symptoms of asthma exacerbation such as wheezing and shortness of breath.

Why there is an albuterol shortage?

It is not a production problem. The shortage is a result of an increased demand since hospitals are using inhalers rather than nebulizers to treat COVID-19 patients due to lower risk of spreading the virus through inhalers.

What consumers should do?

Check Your Supply, and Do Not Panic

If people with asthma do encounter the shortage, the ACAAI has emphasized that they should not panic. Before running to the pharmacy, patients need to check their existing supply.

Dr. J. Allen Meadows says an inhaler does not need to be completely full to be an adequate supply for the next few months. “If you look at your inhaler – and albuterol inhalers have 200 whiffs – and you’ve got more than 100, you’ve got enough.”

Use Controller Meds

Ensure your patient’s asthma/COPD is well controlled by their controller medication in order to minimize the usage of reliever or rescue medication. The controller inhaler, taken daily, treats underlying inflammation and reduces or eliminates asthma flare-ups.

The CDC and the ACAAI president both emphasize taking medications exactly as prescribed to keep asthma under control.

Do Not Overuse Your Albuterol

Do not buy more medication than usual to help ensure that all patients continue to have access to the medications they need and to help prevent drug shortages.

Role for Expired Albuterol

In its March 20 statement, the ACAAI suggested that, if necessary, asthma patients can use an expired albuterol inhaler, since it will likely still be at least partially effective.

Ask Your Doctor and Consult Your Pharmacist if an alternative is needed.

The scarcity of albuterol inhalers is “spotty” across the U.S. so far. If an asthma patient isn’t able to get the albuterol inhaler they need, there are other options.

Dr. J. Allen Meadows says that brands such as Symbicort and Dulera, while labeled by the FDA as controller medications, can be used as immediate relievers. The active ingredient, formoterol is in other parts of the world used as both a fast-acting and a long-acting reliever. Formoterol is also an appropriate substitute for kids, if needed. These medicines are not being used for COVID-19 patients, so they should not be in short supply.

There are also medications that combine albuterol with ipratropium. These medications are typically used to treat patients with COPD. But he says they can be used to treat asthma

Call online pharmacies certified by CIPA

CIPA （Canadian International Pharmacy Association）is a Canadian association of licensed, retail pharmacies, which sell pharmaceuticals and maintenance medications (but not controlled substances) in 30 to 90-day quantities to both Canadian and U.S. citizens.

Each CIPA pharmacy member is licensed and regulated by the government for safety. CIPA sells prescription drugs made by the leading name-brand manufacturers at prices up to 80 percent less than U.S.

Including such global companies as Pfizer, Merck, Eli Lilly and many others. These pharmaceuticals are tested and proven to be safe. In fact, CIPA has provided pharmaceuticals to more than ten million U.S. patients since the organization’s founding in 2002, with a perfect safety record.

What albuterol inhaler products could CheapoMeds provide?

Ventolin Inhaler

Brand Product

Brand name in the U.S: Proventil, Ventolin, ProAir, Accuneb

Strength: 100mcg (90mcg)