Nov 8, 2019
OTC Primatene Mist is Back!
Keith Varnes
On November 8, 2018 the FDA
approved Primatene
Mist (epinephrine) to provide temporary relief for symptoms of mild,
intermittent asthma. If you have taken our course Classification and Management
of Asthma you should know that mild, intermittent asthma means the patient has
symptoms no more than twice per week. If they are having symptoms more than
twice per week, they have persistent asthma and should see a specialist.
Many of us older RTs will remember the
Primatene Mist commercials from when we were kids, this is a re-introduction of
the same drug, so now you can expect to see them again. While the drug is the
same, the device has been redesigned using HFA instead of the original CFC.
I see patients all the time that are non-compliant with their medications, usually due to costs, and are now in the hospital. According to Goodrx.com, the average cost of Ventolin HFA is $45-$72, $30-$50 with discounts. Hopefully the OTC version will be much cheaper. Welcome news for many patients.
Be aware that the American Association for
Respiratory Care (AARC) has stated that it is extremely concerned about this
latest action that designates Primatene Mist for OTC and the impact it could
have on patients with Asthma. Patients who opt to self-treat their asthma or
asthma symptoms will be doing so without the clinical guidance of the physician
and respiratory therapist.
The concerns of the AARC are valid, but for patients who can’t afford albuterol HFA Primatene Mist OTC might be better than nothing.
Click the links below for more information:
1980s Primatene Mist commercial
GoodRX – albuterol/ventolin prices
Learn More
To learn more about airway pharmacology, take our class Current Issues in Airway Pharmacology for 1.5 AARC approved live CRCE hours. (Use discount code airpharm for 15% off!).
2 thoughts on “OTC Primatene Mist is Back!”
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Great article!! I was glad primatene Mist was Back on shelf. When you have to listen to adult patients, of all ages, talk about choosing between medications or food. Or they simply only got half their regular medications due to cost , does not get easier for me. I share others concerns about those that self medicate without proper medical advice. But glad this is an option instead of waiting until they have to call ambulance.
I was saddened to see this. From the prices over the counter I’ve seen, primatene is actually more expensive than the persecription albuteral unit doses and I think the generic inhalers have come down as well.. Also as we all know, primatene is less effective and the side affects are terrible. Where patients run into trouble is getting the Dr’s appointments and paying those. I really wish that they would get albuteral approved for over the counter but there doesn’t seem to be much hope of that happening Craig – RRT-ACCS