Azmacort Substitute (Page 15)
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Azmacort has been taken off the market because of environmental concerns (they say). There really is NO substitute. All other steroids do not work. My wife could die because of it. No one seems to care. Do you?

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Linda,
do u use the flovent hfa or the flovent diskus?
thanks!

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dear Linda, thanks so much for your feedback. I have been on the pulmicort now for almost a month and after a short time of thinking I was going to get through this and have a new inhaler, I now find myself getting worse. I am on 2 puffs twice a day. my chest was getting tight right after the inhalations and it lasted almost 2 hours. Now it has gotten to 3 hours. I sit here now and it is 4 hours and it is still tight. I have been thinking about which others to try. I was thinking about asmanex but also flovent. do you like the packaging on the flovent? is it difficult to use? I dont want to do advair. it has a long term bronchodialator in it and i never had to be on one before so why now just because i was forced to change inhalers. thanks for the feed back on the proventil hfa but i have a very strong chance of being allergic to the propellant (hfa). i had a bronchospasm to an older drug called alupent. it had 3 propellants in it. i have been exposed to 2 of the 3 without problem. the 3rd is the one they modified for the new hfa. so trying it places me at high risk for a bronchospams. that is also why i have not tried qvar. my lung doctor knows little about changing inhalers even though he is very nice. plus he is costly. it cost me $92 for a visit. I am on cobra right now with a 1500 deductible and cannot afford his high cost visist so i will go to my family doctor who is much cheaper and very flexible. once again, thanks so much. all feedback from everyone is appreciated.

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Hello everyone, Ive just stumbled on this site while trying to research alternatives to Azmacort. Like all of you I have used Azmacort sucessfully for several years, and now am at a loss as to what to replace it with. I have severe asthma as well as several other health issues and have a history of bad reactions to many medicines so trying something new is always tramatic for me.. I have used Advair in the past. it was wonderful, absolutely the best product I have ever used, I actually had months with minimal asthma symptoms, then after almost 5 years of using it, I developed a strange tightening sensation in my chest, I couldnt lay down, I couldnt sit up, the symptoms were horrible, felt like my heart was flip flopping in my chest, after a couple days of this, I noticed my legs were week, I felt like I was going to fall over, I also felt cold and shaky.. I began to suspect that I was having a reaction to one of my medicines. I went to the ER and found I had a cardiac arrythmia.. My blood pressure kept bottoming out, I was hooked up to one of those cardiac monitors that show the heartbeat and Blood Pressure, the alarms kept soundoing and I was absolutely terrified.. at one point I watched, horrified as my blood pressure plummeted to 46/16, I lay there feeling dizzy and nauseous, while medical professionals scurried all around trying to determine what was causing it, sure that I was going to die, I answered question after question as baffled Dr could find no explanation for what was happening to me.. My electrolites were normal, I was not dehydrated, I had no other symptoms of shock, I had not consumed anything out of the ordinary, no changes in mecicines,.. after a plethora of tests, and many months of trying to endure this terrifying illness,It was determined that my arrythmia was not likely to kill me, and was more symptomatic than dangerous,but I could not live with the symptoms,so I was placed on a medicine that was supposed to help, verapamil, a calcium chanel blocker, it didnt do much, the arrythmia wasnt constant but would come at me at any given time, I was a virtual prisoner in my home and I was terrified of being alone, even for a few minutes, I saw several specialists, even looked into electro therapy where theyreproduce the symptoms in a controled setting and then intentionally destroy selected parts of the heart that are triggering the misfirings.. I kept asking is this due to any of my meds and every Dr said the same thing - NO. after researching my self I saw that in some cases Advair had caused an arrythmia , however it was a different type than what I had. Angry, frustrated and terrified of what my options were, I immediately insisted that my medicine routine be changed, gradually the arrythmia symptoms have stopped.. its been 3years now and occasionally they do return but very very minimally, however I do still take a very high dose of verapamil daily. I truly do believe that my arrythmia was cause from Advair. Although it truly helped me at first, I would urge anyone who is using it to be aware of any unusual symptoms you may develop. Chances are you wont ever have the problem I did, but we should all be aware that it can and does happen. Since most medical professional are loathe to simply place blame on any product,( even when I pointed out that there was documentation available that Advair can cause arrythmias, not one of my DR would say that it was what caused mine, because they cant possibly know for sure) we need to educate ourselves and be aware of all possible side effects, Had I know that this could happen to me, that the medicine I was using could cause me to develop a debilitating illness that would affect every aspect of my life, I would probably have asked for a different medicine to try first.. But that isnt the case, But it is why I am being so very careful this time around. Since that time, I have been on Azmacort and Atrovent, with Xopenex as my rescue med. I cannot tolerate albuterol as the cardiac side effects are too strong, I even experience some side effects now using Xopenex which is the medicine they prescribe for people who cannot tolerate Albuterol, I thing I have become super sensitized.. anyway given that history I am terrified of changing my medicine. My pulmonologist has given me two samples to try and see which one will work best for me. I have Alvesco and Qvar. Has anyone had or heard of any cardiac side effects with either of these meds? I see Mary reported shakiness and a higher heart rate with Alvesco.. I need to make a decision soon as Im nearly out of my last canister of Azmacort.
Good luck to all of us trying to find a replacement therapy for Azmacort..Hope you all are doing well.
God Bless

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To Revolving the sun:
I felt just like you- scared & desperate- you need a good Pulmonologist so you don't have to suffer. I bought Pulmicort flexhaler and had to pay $75.00 - it is in the bottom of the trash right now, it only made me worse. Then I tried Flovent (paid $35.00) and I am getting same result that I got with Azmacort. It comes in 3 strengths- I am on the strongest one the 220 one. Also - for the rescue inhaler Albuterol - the best one is Proventil HFA -its orange. The Pro-Air one does not have a good proplellant in it. So I am a happy camper now with my Flovent 220, and Proventil. I haven't needed the rescue inhaler in one week , !
Thanks, Linda

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glad to find others like me. i was on azmacort for 18 years. i have felt like i lost a huge lifeline and a part of myself when i had to stop. started taking pulmicort with much difficulty. the dry powder gets stuck in my mouth and throat. if i breath real hard, it makes noise and my throat closes off so i dont get the medicine. so i have to breath less forceful and be creative when i take my puffs. one long and someone slow to get into the bases of my lungs and one faster to get into the upper part of my lungs. i have actually felt like i went through a steroid withdrawl after stopping the azmacort. i have been depressed, anxious, tearful, etc. my breathing had been very bad for the first 2 weeks. i could not take a deep breath. i could not pace my breathing, especially when talking. i have been basically house bound since i have had to make the change. things are starting to slowly get better. i can breath deeper most times. and the sore throat is getting better. i still wheeze in my upper throat from the medicine. This has been a very big life change for me. If I could sue the government and the company I would. Do they have no idea what they have put us through? I felt like my life was over and I would never get it back. I still have to be very careful. My lungs are soo sensitive. I cant get around anything right now. And my confidence to handle my asthma has been shattered. I cannot take the HFA products. I had a bronchospasm to altrovent back in the 90's. It had 3 propellants in it. Azmacort had one of them and the ORIGINAL provental had 2 of them in it. They used the last propellant to make the HFA compound. There is a very high probablity that I will react to it. So I dont even have a rescue inhaler that I can count on. That means having a portable med nebulizer. I cant see how our little inhalers could cause such a fuss. I believe someone's health is much more important. You have to weigh the needs and the affects. I am so sorry to hear about everyone elses problems but once again, glad to have found u. Changing inhalers is very difficult and for me, I cant even tell you how awful. A 46 year old woman in tears while struggling to breath. I have literally had to start all over again in controlling my asthma. I have prayed to God for healing and for strength to help me through this. I pray He is there for all of you as well. God Bless You all.

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I took a look at the cfc inhaler website and tried to locate it on Guidestar, a directory of nonprofits. Additional research should probably be done if you decide to donate.

Hope all are doing well. I've switched to Qvar and that works fine for me. I too had heard that Azmacort was an old drug but like Linda, I opted to say with what worked -- until it was no more.

Stay healthy! Allison

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Mary & all
Thanks for your prayers & concern and I am feeling FABULOUS right now and the crisis is over !
Linda

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To Jack & Mary & everyone.
After being scared & terrible breathing problems, the day my dr wanted me to start on Prednisone, I improved, so I did not have to go on Prednisone. I think the Flovent is working for me - so maybe Flovent is a good substitute for the Azmacort after all. Another thing I wanted to say is - my specialist, a Pulmonologist told me about a year ago that Azmacort was going away because the medicine itself was old-school - and that there were many improved & modern drugs to take its place- that it was outdated, and it was going away. Well it worked for me so well, I didn't want to accept that it was going away and tried to stockpile it so I could be on it as long as possible. But, it may be more than the environmental reasons with the propellent.- it may be the drug itself that is the reason. Well I am so happy & relieved and breathing comfortably - ! I hope everyone is OK with their breathing & finds another preventative - it is not good to go without inhaled steroid - look what happened to me when I was without it for one week. Good Luck everyone
Love,
Linda

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All,

I stumbled across this website.. you might want to sign the petition -- there are more people out there..

www.savecfcinhalers.org

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Dear Jack,

I just saw your comments...Thanks so much for the suggestions and referrals, and for your support.

I am so glad to hear that your wife is doing well so far on her new medication, and I'll pray for that to continue. I also deeply appreciate your thoughts & prayers!

Linda, I will pray for you as well. I hope your breathing improves soon!

I can totally relate to everyone's feelings about wanting Abbott to bring Azmacort back to the market in a CFC-free form. I called them several times this past Jan to urge them to consider this, but since I wasn't speaking to one of the executives, I have no idea whether my feedback ever made its way up the chain. As soon as I'm able, I plan to follow up with Abbott again, this time with a more targeted approach.

I don't know if Abbott manufactures any of the Azmacort inhaler alternatives currently on the market, but if not, hopefully the desire to regain lost market share will drive them to bring Azmacort back (at least that's my hope and prayer).

I love Jack's idea of the parade. I hope to soon be marching with each of you, as we breathe freely & fully! Best of health, everyone!!!

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All,

Allergy season has kicked in and now im feeling the effects :(. I am really disappointed that Abbot Labs has discontinued Azmacort. I am not sure how you found out, but the way I found out was when I went to the pharmacy to refill the script and thats when I was told that it was discontinued.

I hate to say this, but, do we have some kind of legal recourse? We were never notified of the Abbot Labs plan to discontinue Azmacort and we all had to scramble in order to find something new. I know they had plenty of time to fix thier issue!!!! How many extra trips have you guys had to make to the doctor plus all the new medicine you had to try? I could care less about any kind of $$$ I just want them to bring my Azmacort back!!!! :(

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Carol and Linda:

It seems the only way Azmacort will ever be on the market again is if Abbott Labs. decides to change the carrier from a cfc to something that is environmentally friendly - i.e., won't make a hole in the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere - real or imaginary. Although the basic chemicals involved are fairly common (triamcinolone acetonide), the manufacturing process may be company private.

My limited experience with them is, it is difficult to get a phone number of anyone there who can actually do anything or has executive power to guide the company's future.

I tell you what. I just thought of a way to get their email address and make an appeal:

http:/­/­www.hoovers.com/­company/­Abbott_Laboratories/­rffyif-1-1njea1.html?serv=SEMGGLCEX23754154-530800114-2932721314-1270358794-1&wf=70130000000KoKNAA0&ch=70130000000KhjR&num=8665713045

If the administrator needs to block the URL out, you can get it by searching the index published by Hoovers (yes, it's plural). I got there by doing a Google search for "Abbott labs, index of company executives." They list 362 executive positions, but the three main ones are in the Abbott Park, IL location and are listed by name. Chairman and CEO is Miles White. There is a way to make contact with him by email or by phone through Hoovers. You can also Google his name and find a short bio of him.

But, to get the specific director you are looking for, go to your local library and they will guide you. I forgot the name of the huge, multi-volume set I used to use - something like, “Roger's” - but they will be able to help you to find the person who will do the most good.

Perhaps the monitor of what we write herein can help guide us to a better answer.

As far a I know, the things we write stop here. No one else reads them except those people with a passing interest.

So, our writings here will, in all likelihood, never get to Abbott Labs.

It is also possible that, expensive as it was for the consumer, the product was not bringing in enough profit for the company to continue with it. Therefore, when they had an opportunity to drop it, they did. It sounds hard, but the bottom line is what keeps the company going.

So far, my wife is not doing as well with the Advair HFA as she was with Azmacort, but she is making it do. We are working through her condition with a Pulmonologist because our family doctor, although excellent, is not a specialist in the field.

Just like you are, we are plodding ahead as if Abbott Labs never will realize what a hole their product filled and how unique it was for many, many people. I could be mistaken about that. I suppose one way to find out would be to contact a person who has the responsibility over their research and development department. If they ever do something, we can all get together and have a parade.

Jack

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I feel so bad for you Linda. I hope it isn't pneumonia. Thinking good thoughts for you. I know, bring back the Azmacort!!!

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OK Dr wants me to go on Prednisone & double my Flovent and come in tomorrow to get checked for pnemonia. So please bring back the Azmacort when I could breathe beautiful air without pain. I'll let u know what dr. says tomorrow.

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I am praying that by some miracle the company that manufactured Azmacort comes out with a new and improved version. Lots of companies do that.

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Hi Jack & everyone. Monday came and went (last week) & I improved. I went off of all preventative inhaled steroids & had good week. Friday nite I had bad asthma attack lasted all nite. Yesterday Saturday another bad episode. And today is Sunday and usually attacks are in afternoon & evening - but its 10AM & I can't breathe, hurts to breathe. I am trying Flovent started this morning. Needed rescue for last 2 days (albuterol). Calling dr tomorrow to see if I can get breathing treatment of albuterol or oxygen. When I go to ER it helps so much when I get that, but I can't to to ER every day. 15 years ago when I first got this, I did go to ER several times a week for asthma.- Then the wonderful Azmacort stopped that. Now we are stranded without Azmacort. Thanks Jack - my panic did turn to joy, now I am praying again that the fear & anxiety will leave me and I will have peace.
thanks, Linda

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Mary:

Wow! What an array of problems!

I would guess your Pulmonologist would be familiar with the research programs of the National Jewish Hospital in Denver (NJH). They claim to be the #1 Respiratory Hospital in the country. It is possible your doctor could help you partake in some sort of clinical research program at no cost to you.

To find out more about that at the NJH, go to their website and click on the Research and Science tab at the top. The last listing on the right had column is entitled Clinical Trials. Click on the search all clinical trials below it. The page that opens up tells you what would qualify you as a no-cost participant in their program. It also shows the various programs they have conducted through the years.

You don't need a pop-gun girl, you need a bazooka.

I have an aunt in Portland. Don't know if she is still alive or not, She lived in Calaroga Terrace on the east side of the river. I have lost touch. Since she is the last living relative of my generation, I should get in touch again.

Meanwhile, my wife and I will pray that you come out of this with the same success we have had so far.

Jack

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Hi everyone! I posted to this page early on, and I'm finally able to follow up. I just recently used up my last canister of Azmacort (I was using it past the expiration, to extend it as long as possible!). The wait to get in to see a pulmonologist here as a new patient is long (I hadn't needed to see one for yrs, because my breathing was stable on the Azmacort).

My PCP recently prescribed a trial of Alvesco for me, but unfortunately, it did not work for me. It caused me to get very shaky and caused my heart to speed up for hrs. I am easily prone to this problem, because I have a neurological condition called Postural Orthostatic Tacycardia Syndrome (POTS) in which my resting heart rate is between 100 and 120. The Azmacort never caused my heart rate to elevate beyond this, so I'm hopeful there's something else out there that will work for me. Another strange thing about the Alvesco -- for me, it seemed to make me feel more tight and short of breath, which was unexpected. So it just wasn't for me, and I need to go back to the drawing board.

I can definitely relate with everyone posting about allergies. I've had severe allergies since I was 10. In Portland, OR, where I currently live, they definitely get worse in the spring (We too have an abundance of flowering trees here, including cherry blossoms, which pollinate heavily. The pollen counts lately have been registering as very high). My allergist used to warn me that I'm prone to allergy-induced asthma. To help with the allergies, I take Nasacort AQ (a nasal inhaler), Mucinex-D, and Benadryl every day, and when really bad, I also supplement with high doses of Quercetin (either in pill form, or available in a drink sold in many stores as Emergen-C). When I'm able to do so, I see a naturopath for homeopathic remedies and lung herbs, and an acupuncturist for acupuncture treatments. Indoors, I keep HEPA air filters running in every major room. Despite all these precautions, my nose is often completely blocked from sinus congestion, so it's a very scary feeling when my chest/lungs start to get blocked as well. As you can imagine, I'm very motivated to find a replacement inhaler that will work as well for me in controlling my lung inflammation as the Azmacort did.

I've really appreciated all the suggestions given on this site for alternative inhalers. With all my other health conditions, I'm a bit hesitant to try Advair, based on the drug company's warnings about salmeterol. I know people who take it and have no problem with it. Since I would be on it every day, year round (presumably for years), the safety warnings scare me a bit. I will most likely try some of the other alternatives first. If nothing else works for me, I'll definitely be looking into the Advair HFA and grateful that the option exists.

I look forward to hearing more from the people on this message board as you continue this journey.

Honestly, this transition away from Azmacort, my most reliable medication, has been terrifying. So I really want to thank everyone for sharing your stories, experiences and ideas! It's so nice to have a group who's supportive and understands what it's like to go through this transition. :) I wish all of you the best of luck and the very best of health!

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Jack,
I have been to Tarpon Springs before my brother moved there years ago. He is a fisherman and loves it there.

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Hi everyone,

I had to finally break down and start using my Albuterol. If I have to use it more than twice a week I am to go on Alvesco or Pulmicort Flexhaler. I have a terrible cough that I can't get rid of and have had it since I ran out of Azmacort. It is getting worse. Also my allergies are acting up. We had rain and snow mixed last night and it stirred up the pollen in the air this morning.

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