Azmacort Substitute (Page 4)

Azmacort has been taken off the market because of environmental concerns (they say). There really is NO substitute. All other steroids do not work. My wife could die because of it. No one seems to care. Do you?

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REPORT

dear Linda, thanks so much for your feedback. I have been on the pulmicort now for almost a month and after a short time of thinking I was going to get through this and have a new inhaler, I now find myself getting worse. I am on 2 puffs twice a day. my chest was getting tight right after the inhalations and it lasted almost 2 hours. Now it has gotten to 3 hours. I sit here now and it is 4 hours and it is still tight. I have been thinking about which others to try. I was thinking about asmanex but also flovent. do you like the packaging on the flovent? is it difficult to use? I dont want to do advair. it has a long term bronchodialator in it and i never had to be on one before so why now just because i was forced to change inhalers. thanks for the feed back on the proventil hfa but i have a very strong chance of being allergic to the propellant (hfa). i had a bronchospasm to an older drug called alupent. it had 3 propellants in it. i have been exposed to 2 of the 3 without problem. the 3rd is the one they modified for the new hfa. so trying it places me at high risk for a bronchospams. that is also why i have not tried qvar. my lung doctor knows little about changing inhalers even though he is very nice. plus he is costly. it cost me $92 for a visit. I am on cobra right now with a 1500 deductible and cannot afford his high cost visist so i will go to my family doctor who is much cheaper and very flexible. once again, thanks so much. all feedback from everyone is appreciated.

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Linda,
do u use the flovent hfa or the flovent diskus?
thanks!

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I tried the Qvar after using Azmacort for 20+ years. I had side effects that ranged from a sore mouth, a cough and nothing helping my asthma symptoms. I was better off not using anything, but now have developed phlegm in the morning and at night which the doctor is saying is related to allergies. I use Albuterol at times when my chest feels tight and I get jittery, but this better than nothing. I have samples of Alvesco and Pulmicort Exhaler, but I don't like the thought of us a powder with the Pulmicort and I'm afraid to use the Alvesco because of the side effects Mary said she had. I don't want anything that makes be jittery. The Albuterol already does that. I have been advised to start taking Zyrtec for my allergies, but I'm also on Flonase for those. I hate taking pills. What next folks?

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It seems the only way to get to these large pharmaceutical companies is to go public. I am beginning a write-in campaign to the investigative news programs such as 20/20, Dateline, Today Show, Good Morning America and my local TV stations. I would encourage anyone interested, to do the same. All have links on their websites for story suggestions or news submittal. If enough people voice their outrage, perhaps someone will pick up the story and bring it public and perhaps - just perhaps - there might be a company out there listening that could do something about offering the product again in a non-CFC dispenser.

If they can dispense other asthma meds in a non-aersol dispenser, like proventil, albuterol, etc., I see no reason why they can't do the same with Azmacort. I've been using the product since mid 1980's with excellent results and no side effects. Their Patents probably have probably expired and they would rather push the newer products. But, they could sell the manufacturing rights to a smaller company interested in serving all of us customers that have been left out in the cold forced to try new products with many new adverse side affects.

I encourage everyone to write in.

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Katherine

I just wrote to Bill O'Reillly to suggest our problem would make a good story - something like, Abbott Labs pulls Azmacort off the market because of the Montral Accord. He has a louder voice than any of us.

He may not think it is important enough, though, because who would want to rally around a small group - even if the threat could lead to death? My wife is still not out of the woods.

Jack

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I would be happy to speak to anyone about this problem. I just went back to my doctor. she wants me to do repeat pft's which I cannot afford. otherwise, stay on the pulmicort a little longer to see if I overcome some of the side effects and get better lung function. she was not offering to try the qvar since there is a good likely hood that i would have a bronchospams with the hfa. i have no rescue inhaler to use thanks to this new law. i am looking at buying a small portable med nebulizer. mine is too big to carry around with me every where. i have basically been house bound since i have had to change inhalers. still depressed and crying alot over all of this. did they really think everyone could use the hfa propellent? does anyone know of any other company working on a safe propellent??

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Hi everyone-I recently wrote saying that Flovent was working- well it worked for about 2 weeks - calmed down all Asthma symptoms - Then strange headaches, rash on my cheeks, and pain when taking a breathe in and coughing fits all day - that is not Asthma. So I stopped Flovent yesterday and tomorrow going to Pulmonologist - I am going to try Qvar or try again Pulmicort. Now I am discouraged ! I just want my darn Azmacort back. Today doctors office told me that it was too expensive for the drug company to change the propella in Azmacort, so they took it off the market. This is all so upsetting to me- I don't need this aggravation - now I am having flare-up of diverticulitis which can be serious. Anyway, it never occurred to me that Flovent would be such a problem, since it did calm down the asthma symptoms completely - but I put the pieces together yesterday. Thanks foir reading.
Linda, 55 y.o. in beautiful flooded Massachusetts !

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Did everyone see the message that this blog wants to forward our messages to some higher ups to let them hear what we have to say? I say, let them do it as long as our names are fictitious. We need to get the word out about our frustrations and maybe someone will listen.

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Carol:

I did receive the message and told them to go ahead and use whatever I have written that they want to use. I am willing to help in any way I can.

My wife has not recovered yet and she still could die. Her next Pulmonologist appointment is for the 15th but I will ask them to make it sooner.

It is an emotional roller coaster to watch her. I find I cannot help looking to see if she is still breathing when she falls asleep in her chair while watching TV.

My name is not fictitious and in another place here - entry number 37 to be specific - I have written where I live. As a pastor, I live a life that that is open for anyone to read. I have nothing to hide.

Most of us are in trouble here. It may help to continue to be honest -as I think we all are. If we are asked for more specifics on our medical distresses, I would suggest that we be open and above board.

Jack

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All,

I hope everyone is doing ok. I am OK with using our comments and stories as a news feed. I am just as frustrated as everyone else and I dont see any other way to get heard.

I wish everyone the best, and hopefully we will make it through this tough time. I cannot help but blame Abbot Lab for not taking better measures to transition Azmacort to whatever it needed to be to fall within the regulations.

I wake up everyday and think to myself, is this going to be the day?
its very stressful and I feel like I am limiting myself because I am scared. :(

Does anyone have the email address to the president of Abbot Labs? I would like to email him everyday to let him know my fears and concerns.....

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Dc
All

Well, the Chairman and CEO of Abbott Labs is Miles D White, but I do not think you can get him directly by email.

I don't mean to be an alarmist because what I am about to write may not mean what it seems to imply. I also want you to understand what I am about to write is NOT written in anger but merely what I found out. This information is available to everyone - it is public.

Mr. White sold 172,704 shares of ABT stock on 12/22/2009; he sold 29,300 shares of ABT stock on 02/18/2010 and he sold 70,700 shares of ABT on 03/10/2010 - all of it at or very near to $55 a share. His total compensation from Abbott alone for the year 2009 is over 26 million.

Other directors and officers - Carlos Alban, Edward L. Michael, Mary T. Szela, Oliver Bohuon, and David Patton - sold a total of 81,523 shares in late February or early March of this year.

Abbott Labs bought a Belgian company, Solvay, for 6.6 Billion but the purchase was not to get a new drug that might help with solving the riddle of Parkinson’s disease but was more for financial engineering.

I believe they are all untouchable either legally or emotionally - especially emotionally.

I do not blame them for wanting to make as much as they can on the stock and, perhaps, the sales mean nothing. Recent disclosures of AIG and the like, however, do not build confidence in our corporate executives.

My son thinks there is more to the story than just dropping the drug because of - well, - - being kind to the ozone layer on the one hand and an anticipation of a plethora of future law suits on the other hand if they didn’t cave in. There is an interesting article written by Matthew Herper which states that this year pharmaceuticals could see the worst sales growth of the past quarter century - well below their past predictions.

All of that said, I believe the only way you can get to the soul of these people is through the pocketbook or through congressional investigation. Neither of those options seem viable for people like us. What do you think it would take to get the attention of your representative? Have you tried lately? Have you gotten anything back besides a form letter?

That is why I am not only surprised but pleased as well that someone on this site is willing to do something to help us. Let’s help him help us.

Jack

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Hi everyone,

Not sure if this will be of much help and I'm sure you've all considered this option, but have you looked into generic or brand alternatives from outside the US?

For example searching with PharmacyChecker brought up a couple different options for Nasacort AQ Inhaler (which contains the same active ingredient Triamcinolone Acetonide). I'm actually curious about the top result they list there, in a 55 ug (microgram) dose. A number of their verified pharmacies appear to carry the product, and they all ship from outside the United States. I haven't yet decided if I would consider ordering from Canada or abroad but I figure the more options we have the better. Plus maybe if we were forced to take our business elsewhere they would wake up and realize that a legitimate need is not being served here. Good luck to all!

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Ordering from abroad or outside the US is something that probably won't even touch the powers that be. They don't care about us. We need some big guns to get the message to the drug makers and our President that we need to have medications and stop taking them away because they may kill a tree. Gosh I am getting so angry about this issue. I want someone to listen to all of us!!! I am still having asthmatic problems. Coughed all day today. Every time the weather changes I get an asthmatic attack. I don't want people like Jack's wife to have to go through what she is going through. Come on people lets quit griping and do something about all of this!!! Sorry for the rant. I just need to vent sometimes about this.

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I am fine with submitting these comments to a source that might be able to help us. After all it does no good what so ever to just complain. If someone knows a way to put these real life experiences in the hand of someone who can help, Please do!

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This is the reply I got from our republican congressman.... Dear Janet:

Thank you for contacting me about albuterol inhalers. It is good to hear from you.

Albuterol inhalers that contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) could not be sold in the United States after December 31, 2008. The phase-out of CFC-propelled inhalers was the result of the Clean Air Act and an international environmental treaty, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Under this treaty, the United States has agreed to phase out production and importation of ozone depleting substances, including CFCs. No CFC-propelled albuterol inhalers may be produced, marketed, or sold in the United States after December 31, 2008.

Albuterol inhalers that contain hydrofluoroalkanes (HFAs) have taken the place of albuterol CFC inhalers. Albuterol HFA inhalers are used in the same way as albuterol CFC inhalers and give the same dose of albuterol. FDA has approved three albuterol HFA inhalers as safe and effective for the same FDA-approved uses: treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, HFA-propelled albuterol inhalers may taste and feel different than CFC-propelled inhalers.

I am sorry to hear that an HFA inhaler will not work for you. Currently no legislation is pending to reverse the prohibition on CFC-containing inhalers. However, please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind should legislation addressing this issue come before the House.

Again, thank you for contacting me regarding prescription medications. Please feel free to contact me with any other questions or concerns you may have. I invite you to visit my website at http:/­/­johnboehner.house.gov/­Forms/­Form/­?ID=89 to sign up for email updates.

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Well obviously the congress person doesn't get it. The issue is Azmacort and the manufacturer's election not to create a non-CFC dispenser for Azmacort. I have been using a non-CFC proventil or ventolin inhaler for a year now. They are all now only in non-CFC dispensers. If they can do it with them, they can do it with Azmacort.

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sure they can. but it will be expensive and when they do, and when they use the hfa propellant, I wont be able to use it. you all can. just like you can use your hfa proventil inhaler and still have a life. there is approximately 8% of us out there who cannot use hfa propellant. that needs to be kept in mind too.

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I have sent an e-mail to the people who are hosting this blog. I have told them to go ahead and use my name in their campaign to get the word out for us. Hopefully this will do some good. I feel that the pharmaceutical company that made Azmacort should be able to come up with a propellant that can be used just like the newer inhalers. I am finally going to have to go back on my asthma medication whatever that may be. My cough is getting worse. More things are blooming in Oregon and causing me lots of problems. I can't breathe at night or first thing in the morning.

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8% is a fairly large number Revolvingthesun. Research needs to be done to find something that this 8% can tolerate also.

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thanks Katherine. i appreciate your comments. i know most of us are struggling and i am sure there are more out there that dont know about this site. my whole life has changed. i have barely been out of the house for a month and a half. tied down to a nebulizer and the fear that my lungs will never be the same again. the hfa propellant is not the answer.

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