Complain about a product or service

HFA Inhalers

Andrea of Toledo, OH March 3, 2008

Andrea of Toledo OH (03/03/08)
I went to Sam's Club to pick up my prescription for my inhaler, not knowing the change went into effect. I had my exact change of 6.16, and they told me the charge was today was 43.50 or something like that. I was stunned. I asked why, and they told me that the new medication was being dispersed now. Well, I paid for it and left, completely upset. I do not have insurance so it cost me almost nine times as much. I see how it goes: you take something out and raise the price. That was the just the start of the problem. After trying it, I realized it worked nowhere near as good as my Warrick inhaler; and since my other inhaler worked great and was cheap, it worked out well since I had to buy one monthly. Instead of needing them monthly, I went to need a new one about every 2 weeks. But, of course, with the price I am not able to afford it. Does any one remember Primatene mist that was/is on the market? Just my opinion, but I have tried it, and it is very similar to the new pro air inhaler. It doesn't work that well, either, but at least is a lot cheaper, Ibelieve. It used to be around 15.

With all the problems of these new prescriptions, as well as office visits, it's no wonder people cannot afford health coverage or prescriptions. With as little as it costs to make some of these medications, we the consumer get cheated all around.

Michael of San Antonio, TX February 11, 2008

Michael of San Antonio TX (02/11/08)
I recently switched to ProAir HFA, and not only is this medicine four times more expensive than the CFC version, but it also gives me serious nausea after taking it. So do I breathe--or have a tremendous stomach ache for a hour or so? The FDA needs to get the CFC version of the Albuterol inhaler back on the market. If the government was so worried about the ozone then why start with hair spray and inhalers? They should have started with the automobile. I'm sure the amount of CFC propellant in a MILLION canisters of asthma medication doesn't even come close to the amount a hummer throws out on a basic commute.

I get terrible nausea and possibly even stomach aches when I take this medication. It might be due to the ethanol used in the canister.

Becky of Charlotte, NC January 12, 2008

Becky of Charlotte NC (01/12/08)
The Proair inhaler does not work and is more expensive than old inhalers which are banned.

Gary of Berkeley, CA December 31, 2007

Gary of Berkeley CA (12/31/07)
I used the new Exubera inhaled insulin according to all the rules and it never worked as well as my regular insulin injectons. I was told to increase the dosage which I did and it still did not work well. I developed a sore which turned into a wound which was infected on my right ankle/heel and it still won't heal up completely after over four months.

The result is that I have had very poor control of my diabetes while on Exubera and then developed this sore which is now an open, infected wound that it taking many trips to the doctor and much medicine, bandages, etc to take care of.

Ischer-Dike of Manassas, VA December 9, 2007

Ischer-Dike of Manassas VA (12/09/07)
Not only did the HFA inhalers worsen my asthma, I broke out with a rash which almost looked like a chemical burn on my hands each time I made the switch (3 different times), experiencing extreme nausea at the same time. I am apparently allergic to the new formulation. Proventil HFA did not relieve my 14-year-old's Asthma attack in PE last year. I made an emergency run to the school. How can the FDA make such changes and put our kids at risk?

Difficulty breathing, rash, nausea and fear of death!