I am allergic to albuterol sulfate, it causes numbing of my mouth/nose if I use the HFA inhalers more than 3-4 times in a week. I have tried symbicort, seravent, ventolin, proair inhalers as my everyday inhalers and all have the same result of numbness within 3-4 days of daily use. I was on Advair diskus 500/50 until my insurance company took Advair off of my acceptable drug list.
Can you recommend an inhaler that does not use albuterol sulfate?
Question posted by mc_cater on 24 June 2013
Last updated on 19 November 2019
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Answers
Have you contacted your insurance company to see about an exception? Sometimes when there are certain circumstances present, like yours, if your Dr writes a letter to your insurance company, they will do an exception for you and allow the Advair. I would recommend that you call your insurance company-call the members services or customer services number on your card and tell them what your situation is. See if there is any way to get exception and what all you would need to do. Trust me, insurance companies will work with you under special circumstances but they wont just tell you this. You have to call them and ask for it.
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@Phillip Endre
Have you never heard of allergies? Do you have asthma? Are you a Health Professional of any kind?
Your response deeply pisses me off. I too have asthma and I too have a terrible allergy to Albuterol. I am not a smoker, and have had asthma and an allergy to Albuterol since age 3.
Phillip, dear, please do the tiniest of research before posting your comments online.
As to the original question at hand, I have researched and been professionally told every current rescue inhaler contains Albuterol. If the inhaler you now use seems to not cause reactions, I agree to speak with your insurance. Tell them of the paperwork and money it will save them if it is added to your specific plan. Explain your situation.
My rescue inhaler is called Levalbuterol tartrate HFA, prescribed because I had a bad reaction to albuterol. But had a long wait for insurance to approve it..about $80 without ins. It SOUNDS like albuterol but my dr said it is different. One issue with the cheap kinds is that they are propelled with some gas..ethanol, maybe. I have COPD but my main problem is thyroiditis, causing major mucus in my throat, and high BP and fast heart rate..which of course exacerbates the lung issue. It took 6mos. to convince my dr that my thyroid was the main problem, and am waiting to see endo. Had to have an ultrasound on thyroid which showed thyroiditis, very inflamed with nodules. Good luck to everyone with breathing problems.
Related topics
symbicort, ventolin, asthma - maintenance, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, albuterol, mouth, nose
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