Generic Ventolin Inhalers

[LilRaquel]

Generic Ventolin, aka Albuterol is still unavailable here in the states and the pharmacy still wants $60 for a med that was once generic and available for 8$ at my pharmacy. Anyone who doesn't know what this med is it's usually inhaled and is a bronchodilator to treat tightness in the chest from Asthma. I know it's not even controlled or anything exciting. But, what happened was a treaty called the Kyoto Protocol banned all canisters that had any trace CFCs. The treaty was created to help ease global warming. So GSK didn't even change the formula, just the can and they got their Patent back. So no more generic Albuterol in countries that signed the Kyoto Protocol. The new canisters are OK. But they get clogged and seem to stop spraying when I know there is still a few doses left. 

I'm all about ending global warming and all. But this whole situation pisses me off! One, GSK for asking for the patent and raising prices and two, the FDA for letting them do it. I doubt Asthma inhalers contribute that much to global warming and whatever they omit, I think is balanced out as Asthmatics need less oxygen, WHATEVER!!!!!
Sorry about ranting.

But back to who has it......I currently order from a trusted SE Asian Vendor who gets the GSK Australia  newer version for half of what I would pay here. I see them on some sites for way way cheaper and I would just like to hear from someone who has actually purchased from one and are there even generics still being made?

Thanks
Again, sorry for ranting......

[LilRaquel]

Hi LilR.

Does seem like an odd reason to renew a patent.  On of our members, Shayna may have purchased them. She has not been online much.  Maybe pm her when you get to 50 posts.  

Also, my DD switched to Zoponex many years ago.  Same purpose as Albuterol but without the zittery effect.  

Wonder if Zopenex is generic yet.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to have my allergies tested again and will ask my doc about that med. I know it's been years since I've gotten new scripts for my asthma. So, perhaps that may be one to look into. I know they have a ton of new meds for it and I don't mind paying for non generics. But, it's just the little trick GSK pulled. I'm not cool with and do my best to get around it.

[sdfalcons]

Did you ever find out about this? I would be very interested

[Kid A]

Yes, I would be interested as well. I pay a fortune for my script here in the US and I have the same problem with it getting clogged even when there is still a good deal of medication left!

[LilRaquel]

Did you ever find out about this? I would be very interested

I see them on some sites. However no confirmed purchases of generics. Just the brand name

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So, I will disclose my vendor that ships the GSK brand name inhalers for 1/4 of $60 retail. Half of what my insurance pays as they only pay half of non generics.

Clickremedy dot com has come through for me several times and the GSK branded inhalers that are made in Australia are $16USD. For many Asthma patients who like to keep several rescue inhalers around, this is a good choice for now. However, they are the new canisters

Maybe this is TMI, but I have a cat with asthma too and he shares my inhaler. It's ok as per the vet and my cat has a nebulizer, so his mouth isn't touching mine. So that's another reason why I like to keep extras more than are prescribed to me.

If I find a quality confirmed vendor who still sells fresh generic old style inhalers, I will let this thread know. I've been told they are out there. I'm just super cautious with this med. But, Clickremedy has come through and I have ordered other things from them for several years, solid vendor for everything I get.

[sdfalcons]

BOOO I hate the new kinds! At least though, this is a nice way to keep backups around. Thanks so much for the input. I was in Belize this past December and they had them at the walk up pharmacies, the non CFC-standard (aka the old ones) but they were sooo pricey.

New ones work ok but I just hate the gunk that builds up.

[LilRaquel]

Just checking in on this thread and not much has changed. I got a new Ventolin prescription and my pharmacy wanted $68.99 and no generic option. BOO! I asked the pharmacist if she knew when the patent will be lifted and she had no clue. I'll research later and post next time I check in this thread. Still haven't found a trusted vendor for generics, I see what I think maybe generics based on the price and origin country. However, I don't buy from vendors who I can't get any reviews on.

So, until then it's ClickRemedy $16. Great IOP that only ships what is available over the counter in their country. They don't have much as far as controlled meds, but all their stuff is legit and customer service is great.

[iseii]

Ttm sells albuterol in pill form

[MUSEical]

Ttm sells albuterol in pill form

Do you have and experience with the pill form? Or anyone else for that matter? I guess I've just always understood asthma to be treated directly through the airways and am curious how effective the pill form actually is.

[iseii]

Ttm sells albuterol in pill form

Do you have and experience with the pill form? Or anyone else for that matter? I guess I've just always understood asthma to be treated directly through the airways and am curious how effective the pill form actually is.

I've never tried it, but I believe it works by dilating blood vessels in the lungs. I would assume that inhalers are just more convenient or work quicker than pill form.