Azmacort Substitute (Page 17) (Top voted first)

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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The spelling for the drug I was talking about is Flunisolide, not Triamcinalone.

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It looks like Aerobid M has flunesolide . I wonder why they are trying to market a new one.

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whops! flunisolide not flunesolide

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I wish I still had an old spacer and a little bit of the Azmacort left to use, but unfortunately have neither. John, I have tried several different medications since Azmacort was discontinued, all with some side effects. I am currently taking Dulera, but while I am tolerating it, it still works nowhere as well as Azmacort did. I would give just about anything to get it back. Due to heavy winds in my area on Friday and Saturday, I have lost my voice, am coughing, and have tightness in my chest. I had to start on a prednisone regimen once again today. By the way, I was recently informed by my eye doctor that I am prematurely developing a cataract in one eye. He told me that corticosteroids are to blame. My insurance won't cover Dulera because it isn't on their formulary, so I have to pay out of pocket for it every weeks. Bring back Azmacort!!!

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The message I wrote #316 should also be directed to Susan too, or anyone else out there that could help us. If I lean on the counter so I can breathe it hurts really bad when I try to stand up straight. I guess I'll start on large doses of steroid but I don't know how much to take since the doctor kind of leaves it up to me. What the heck do I pay them for, oh yes that would be for their signature on the prescription. Since I didn't go to school to learn to sign my name on prescriptions. Yes Iam a little pissed.

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Margie - the only time in my life I've had an issue like the one you are describing (where it hurts to breathe and stand up) was when a bout of pneumonia had left me with a partially collapsed lung! It took 6 months of constant antibiotics to get it to reinflate. If it hadn't by the end of the 6 months time, I was going to have surgery to have it reinflated. Make sure your dr knows what your current symptoms are!

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Iam on a dose of steroid 10mg everyday. I still have a hard time breathing but it is at least better. I could take 20mg and probably do ok with the breathing but then it get the rest of my body out of whack. As it is my sleep is messed up and my stomach is getting bad, and all the other stuff . I wonder if it would help if we started writting and caklling Abbott again.

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I think if everyone would file a report on every drug with the Medwatch program at the FDA that they had problems with it might help. Most people don't take the time to do that , I think that is one of the problems. Most people just stop taking it and never tell anyone not even their doctor , so when someone comes in with a complaint they tend to not believe them because no one else has reported anything adverse about the drugs. I'm now taking 10 mg of steroid a day and I still can't breathe but can lean on the counter less.I would probably do much better on 20mg but would have other health problems because of the higher dose.Now when I need a booster I have to go up to 60 or 80 mg and then lower it down slowly.Still writing and hoping they will bring the Azmacort back. Please don't give up maybe someone will hear us after a while.

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What is a salt pipe inhaler,and how do you use it and what do you use it for. I have copd would like to know more about it.
Thank You Dee

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I am looking for an Azmacort inhaler, not the medication, just the white plastic dispenser with the built in spacer that extended out into a long L-shape. Does anyone have one of these left over from when they used to use Azmacort? I'd be really grateful if I could get my hands on one.

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To Jack,
I stumbled across this (old) conversation about asthma while searching for help for my son who also lives in Homosassa. He is 32 and has had asthma since he was 5. He has no insurance and can barely keep a job because of the asthma. I have been reading lately about Bronchial Thermoplasty and wanted to ask if you've found anyone locally who does it or who is even interested in it? He doesn't have a regular doctor. Sometimes he goes to the Health Department or the emergency room. Is there a doctor you would recommend? Thanks for any information you could pass on.

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This had worked for me for years. I was told by an MD 4 decades ago that this might be an avenue for relief, as it is a topical anti- spasmodic, and would help quiet the broncus. I'm not recommending this to anyone; just relating my experience.

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I was placed on Azmacort & Maxair back in the early '80's, once I was put on those two, I did so good, no wheezing & I was able to do my work with no issues! Then I found out that Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol (triamcinolone), made by Abbott Laboratories, was only going to be on the market until the last date for sale: Dec. 31, 2010. I was devastated! The replacement for it was QVAR, which doesn't work well at all! Then to make matters worse, I found out that Maxair Autohaler (pirbuterol), made by Graceway Pharmaceuticals, was going to be taken off the market, the last date for sale: Dec. 31, 2013. The replacement for it is ProAir HFA, which don't work at all! I have complained & complained & am told that the alternatives that the insurance will pay for are worse! When I picked up my first ProAir HFA at the pharmacist, he told me that it takes effect quicker, however they wear out real fast & the containers (plastic container) plugs up quick & have to be rinsed frequently to avoid it! It is a big joke, but not funny at all! I get 3 inhalers per 90 days, so if it wears out quicker, what am I supposed to do, use it more frequently & run out & then be frightened I won't have enough for an emergency? Here is the reasons given for taking these two off the market along with 5 others, here is the site you can go to read the entire article

urindependent.com/2010/04/seven-inhalers-will-be-taken-off-market

...............seven metered dose inhalers that contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are being phased out in the United States. These inhalers use CFCs as propellants to spray the medicine out of the inhaler so patients can breathe the medicine into their lungs. CFCs harm the environment by decreasing the ozone layer above the earth. The ozone layer protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation............... Now bear in mind I never once went outside & sprayed my inhalers on the ground, they were far too costly, I guess they are talking about people that don't recycle, but I did! Why not make it mandatory that they be recycled, versus taking them off the market? Just a thought from an old farm girl, but I think it makes better sense than taking them off the market! I am with all of you, please bring them back! Now I wheeze all the time & struggle to breath & do my daily work! I have to force myself out of bed each & every day & I have glaucoma, so the coughing & wheezing isn't good on my heart or the stress or coughing on my glaucoma or my heart!

Marilyn

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Thread has not been visited for a while. Anyone hear any new news about another company producing inhaler with triamcinolone acetonide?

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Jack, my Azmacort was discontinued also so I went to Denver in 2013 and all they did was run a bunch of tests and recommended a very expensive vest to pound on my chest that gave me nosebleed and headaches. I could not use it.. I now use Levalbuterol (dilator), then I use Budesonide once or twice a day. The budesonide really helps my asthma, but you have to be careful not to use it too much. I developed fungus - nocardia, mycobacterium and pseudomonas in my lung by using it 3 times a day.. If a patient is allergic to sulphur, there are very few drugs left to treat these bad diseases.

I called Abbott and was told there was nothing they could do about it. I am thinking the company did not make enough money on Azmacort. With these drug companies, it is NOT about helping us. It is all about making money. Sorry if I sound negative, but I firmly believe there is so much greed in our world today. Sad situation.

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Re: Dale88 (# 1)

It’s the stupid government, not Abbott, that forced the discontinuation. I have the same problem. How the hell do they expect us to inhale flour-like powder without choking??!! ????????

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Re: Kim (# 334)

I have been on Atrovent and Flovent inhalers since Azmacort was discontinued. Works real well. The problem is both are very expensive especially if you are on Medicare.

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Re: Dale88 (# 1)

Abbott quit making Azmacort because of the "Montreal protocol", which is CFC (Refrigerant-12) propelled and relating to the depletion of Earth's ozone layer. I was using Azmacort until 2010 and never found an equivalent and suitable replacement. Why they didn't just replace the propellent with HCFC (R-134a) like Albuterol, I don't know.

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Were you ever able to find an alternative that worked? I too am unable to tolerate most medications. I struggle to breathe on a daily basis because I have not been able to get azmacort.

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Re: Moe (# 339)

I'm very interested in nebulizing Nasacort to use as a substitute for Azmacort. Would you mind to share the dilution formula? Right now I'm using an Azmacort canister that expired in 2007, surprisingly still works! Thanks in advance. {edited for privacy}

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