Primatene Mist for Asthma, acute User Reviews

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2019

"So I'm going to leave an actual review and not just lament about having missed Primatene Mist for so long which is what it seems like everyone else is doing. Bought my first inhaler a few days ago and I have to say, very, very happy so far! I used Primatene Mist for 30 years before it was taken off the market unfairly. This inhaler delivers it differently, and instead of it being in a liquid form, it is in a powder form. You're not going to get the initial jolt of epinephrine like you used to do, but instead after about three or four seconds, it kicks in and does its job. It also has a different taste to it. Not unpleasant, just different. All in all though, I am very happy with this and will continue to use it. Works a lot better than albuterol ever did. Buy with confidence, fellow wheezers! We finally get some over-the-counter relief again... Thank you, Primatene people, for not giving up and quitting. I, for one, appreciate it and you greatly!"

• How...
• March 2, 2020

"You can imagine my surprise this morning at like 4 a.m. Suffering over here, I did a Google search. I thought surely they have an OTC inhaler by now! My eyes got pretty big when I saw it was BACK! I had been wheezing and miserable all night. Throat so sore from coughing up phlegm, trying to get it to come out of my lungs. I wasted no time. Here is what I can tell you for sure: it is the Primatene Mist you remember; I am positive of that. Once again, within 4-6 seconds, I was free to breathe freely. It opens you fully up. If I were a boy still, I would run. Currently, I am sitting here writing this review, smiling, breathing again instead. Thanks, Primatene Mist. Glad it's back. Frankly, I can't tell any difference. It's the same quality and effectiveness I remember. One caveat my wife pointed out is that it's twice as expensive as it used to be, but let's get real here. If you're a fish out of water and you can't breathe, who cares? I am satisfied. IT'S BACK, FOLKS."

• az1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2019

"Recently bought the 'new and improved' Primatene Mist inhaler. Don't know yet if it will work like the original. The package indicates 160 metered doses per unit. The instructions say to spray 4 doses into the air before initial use. After that, spray one dose into the air before each additional use. The net effect is that over 50% is wasted when dosing instructions are followed. Read the package, then contact the manufacturer for an explanation of the 50% waste."

• Nom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2020

"I read that the old Primatene Mist was taken off the market because one of the ingredients was harmful to the ozone. I have had asthma all my life and always used Primatene Mist. I didn't like the taste or the instant jolt to your heart, but it helped me stop wheezing and breathe better. When it was taken away from the stores, I suffered because I didn't have insurance to see a doctor for a prescription. When I did get insurance, I was given albuterol and a steroid inhaler, which helped, but I still wheezed at times. I bought one of the new Primatene Mist inhalers a few days ago, and I am so pleased to say it works great and completely stops the annoying wheezes."

• ast...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 5, 2018

"When the government banned Primatene Mist, they did a TREMENDOUS disservice to asthma sufferers all over the United States. To this day, there is no other drug that is as effective, as affordable, and as easy to get as Primatene Mist was. Ask any asthma patient how they feel about this... the answer will always be the same. My asthma was well controlled by Primatene Mist for more than 50 years. Now, since the ban went into effect, for the first time in decades, asthma has once again become a severe problem for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 26, 2012

"My experience now is that I'm in the ER every other day because I cannot get Primatene Mist any longer. I've been using this product for over 25 years without one single bad side effect, and now 10 times a day I have a breathing attack that lasts over 30 mins or more because I don't have my Primatene, and prescribed medicines DO NOT WORK."

• Sto...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2020

"Last night was the first night I didn't wake up coughing, wheezing, and choking from not being able to breathe. When I first take the inhaler, I do experience a little weird throat irritation. It's gone within a few minutes, and then I'm fine."

• Wee...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 24, 2019

"I rate the old Primatene Mist a ten. The new one does little to nothing for me. I’ve had asthma all my life, and like many others, I have used everything in the prescription market with nowhere near the success of the original Primatene, which I used for 30 or 40 years. The prescription albuterol sulfate inhalers hook you and make you need more and more to stop your asthmatic issues, then eventually, they quit working. I have seen this happen to asthma sufferers, and I'm sure I will suffer the same fate. The government and doctors are all about money, they don’t care if we can breathe or not."

• Bos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2019

"I'm not completely sure as to why the original Primatene Mist inhaler was taken from the market, but I'm very 'sick' that it was. I was born with asthma, and ever since 5 years old, I've been using the inexpensive original Primatene Mist inhaler. It worked so much better than any other medication (OTC or prescribed) on the market. This new Primatene Mist inhaler is trash. It's costly, and you're not getting the entire dose displayed on the counter, because if used as directed, then you're spraying about half in the air. Please, please go back to the drawing board and bring back the original ingredients of the Primatene Mist inhaler."

• Anonymous
• March 22, 2012

"I was born with asthma, I had been in and out of hospitals since birth. When I was old enough to use my own judgment on inhalers, I decided to try Primatene Mist. I have used it for over 20 years. I only need to use it...maybe...2 times a month...if that. NOTHING the doctors gave me ever worked. Primatene Mist keeps me out of the hospital and home with my family."

• Lik...
• May 11, 2011

"I've been prescribed everything under the sun for my asthma. Nothing is as effective as Primatene Mist. I only use an inhaler when I need them; usually 2-3 times a week, depending on the season or athletic activity. One puff of Primatene Mist will last me all day, whereas the other inhalers I've tried (Proventil, Albuterol, Advair, Azmacort, etc.) haven't provided as long-lasting effects. I'm really upset and disappointed that the Federal Gov is making Primatene Mist unavailable after this year because it uses a CFC-type spray. I really hope the alternative HFA is as effective as the CFC. We will be saving the ozone, but we won't be able to breathe that CFC-free air!"

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2022

"I have used albuterol rescue inhalers for several years. My prescription had run out, and I had to be seen by my doctor in order to refill it. In the meantime, I purchased the Primatene Mist inhaler, hoping to buy some time. BIG MISTAKE! I took ONE puff and had the scariest reaction I’ve ever experienced. My lungs were on fire, I broke out in a cold sweat, my heart rate dropped to 56 bpm, my hands started to tingle and went numb, my blood pressure shot up to 156/136! I normally sit around 117/65. I could barely open my eyes or speak. I nearly blacked out! That went on for about an hour before it finally calmed down. Absolutely terrifying. I scared my husband and children. My blood pressure and heart rate returned to normal, but it left me weak, trembling, wheezing, and coughing with sore lungs for the next few days. Be VERY cautious!!"

• AZ1...
• January 4, 2019

"Bought the new Primatene Mist inhaler for use because I had used the original for years. The included dosing instructions indicate to spray 4 times into the air before initial use. After that, a single spray into the air before each follow-up spray. The package is rated at 160 metered sprays, but according to instructions, more than 50% is sprayed into the air. Sounds strange, but read the box."

• Ton...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 27, 2020

"I've been on prescription corticosteroids and albuterol for my asthma, and I'm still getting up in the middle of the night with my lungs making noise like a balloon being deflated and a deep gurgle in the lower lung. So I use Primatene Mist that clears it up better. Eventually, I'm probably going to have to use an injection."

• rub...
• January 2, 2011

"Doctor couldn't diagnose that I had adrenal fatigue and thyroid insufficiency. I developed severe allergies, which affected my breathing severely. Was put on albuterol inhalers, which did little, and a specialist told me I had gotten the wrong medication all along. Meanwhile, I used Primatene, which immediately gave me fast results, better than the albuterol."

• MMe...
• July 4, 2021

"Huge fan of original Primatene Mist. Figured I'd try the new one, as I'm not thrilled with Ventolin, ProAir, Albuterol, ...whatever. The instructions are freaking weird!! I finally took a shot. I choked and coughed myself into a serious attack. I wanted it to be good, but I'm sorry...it sucks! It's the only over-the-counter inhaler...and that's criminal. I have great insurance and still run out of my inhalers on occasion. Someone can do better than this. A few people said they like it. Go for it if it's your only option...you never know till you try. I returned mine and told the cashier, 'if I was in serious trouble when I came in, that would have put me in an ambulance.' As if she understood!?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 1, 2022

"I used to use the old Primatene Mist before they took it off the market, much to my chagrin. I was happy to see the new one was on there, but at twice the price. The new one gives me paradoxical bronchospasms and shoots my heart rate up, gives me stomach pain. I'm trying to cut down on the usage of it because my albuterol is not working too well, and I have restless leg syndrome, and I'm pre-diabetic, and albuterol can cause hypoglycemia and restless leg syndrome. If I use too much Primatene Mist, I get restless leg, tachycardia, nervousness, tremors. The long-acting broncho agonists that they prescribe, LABAs, have serious side effects: tachycardia, very strong tremors, stomach pain, they don't always work. I have to be very careful with them right now, and my skin is so thin, dry, itchy, and burning, and I am also allergic to everything. I have contact dermatitis. I truly believe that these medications are wrecking my life-how can I breathe?"

• Anonymous
• April 20, 2010

"I have used this inhaler because it is over the counter and much cheaper than any prescription. It gets the job done, however, it tastes horrible and sometimes causes a weird numbness in the throat for a few seconds. Thought it might just be me, but two other people agreed with me."

• Mis...
• February 15, 2022

"Only inhaler I have ever used. 1st time, and I have developed severe allergies over time. COVID long haul symptoms have me wheezing, etc. I was fine after the vaccine, but 4 months later, the wheezing is back, plus allergic reaction when lungs close up can hardly breathe, etc. I started using Primatene Mist, and it’s a lifesaver. Now I’m hoping the government will extend to a 4th booster dose, as I know it will stop the wheezing for another 4 months at least. This is my new reality :("

• Wes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2021

"I've had asthma pretty much my whole life. I didn't have a rescue inhaler and figured I would give this a try. Big mistake! I wish I didn't take it. Within minutes, my throat was burning, and it made mild symptoms worse, and my chest felt congested. I will be returning back to the store. Don't play with my life."

• shi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 22, 2024

"I was having asthma symptoms. Tightness in chest, shortness of breath. I had used the last of my albuterol nebs and was just about out of my albuterol inhaler. I called my doctor to request refills. He refused, saying I needed to come into the office. I made an appointment, and he still refused to refill my prescription until he sees me a week and a half later. So, I went to the pharmacy after seeing a commercial for the over-the-counter inhaler Primatene Mist. I used it for 2 puffs, and it worked very well to open me up, and I was able to breathe much better."

• tig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2022

"Used this for two months with good results. Then my chest started burning after using, then started to get intense stomach pain, even after gargling. Sorry I wasted my money on a third. Will be giving to my husband for his allergy attacks and intermittent shortness of breath. He has a cast-iron stomach."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 19, 2021

"I have issues using Albuterol. For me, after taking it, I have to continue taking it, and it is a downward spiral of dependence, chasing my next breath. With Primatene, I don’t get this issue. I can use it when I need it, and the rest of the time, forget that it’s there. It’s nice that I can use it and not become dependent on it, or a doctor, for that matter, if I need more."

• Jil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2019

"It works, but just make sure you do follow the instructions on how to use this medication. It is strong. I have not got any side effects from it, but everybody is different. Other than that, it does leave a cool, tingly feeling in my throat, a little irritation. This is the first time I used this: 1 spray. One time so far, I have yet to experience it as days progress, but I just bought it today. 1 spray I get to have to find out how it works later on with more sprays."

• Wes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2023

"In the last few years, I have noticed that when I do a lot of physical work outside or am around a tremendous amount of grass clippings or dust, my breathing becomes labored. A few weeks ago, I was in a very dry, dusty, graveled parking lot and my truck was covered in pollen. I drove around doing what I needed to do with all the windows down, and the next thing I knew, I couldn't breathe. I told my granddaughter to call my daughter and bring me her son's inhaler. I know it was a bad idea to use someone else's medicine, but it was the fastest solution and I couldn't breathe. I picked up two of these inhalers for emergencies, and I have used one of them now with amazing results. When I go back to my doctor, I will explain to her everything I went through, but for now, I have peace of mind and I know it will help me. I noticed no side effects after using it, and I recommend that anyone keep it in their purse as an emergency backup plan. I wish I had it that day. I felt like I was dying with fluids coming from all parts of my body!"