At our SCM meet this past weekend we had an out-of-state visitor swimming. She was a very serious swimmer, arrived a week early to acclimate, came with a bit of an entourage, and did some pretty amazing times (45-49). We also saw her taking frequent hits from a very large inhaler always just before her races as she was warming up and behind the blocks. Any thoughts?.
A few years ago, chlorofluorocarbon-propellant albuterol inhalers were replaced by HFA-propellant inhalers (it was claimed this was for environmetal reasons, but reality is that there is patent protection on HFA Inhalers so no generics exist.).
The new inhalers, in a word, suck. If I am having an airway obstruction I take 10 puffs if not more (which means, in addition to being more expensive, I have to buy them more often). So from personal experience, I wouldn't judge anyone who "over-medicates" on the new inhaler. They just dont work as well.
I will add that all inhalers are the same size. It might have appeared larger because she was using a spacer (which makes the delivery of the medicine more effective).
The pulmonary deposition of most HFA inhalers is superior to their CFC predecessors. Most studies show improved efficacy with the newer inhalers. With less deposition in the mouth, some people feel that they are getting less but the reality appears to be the opposite.
The switch from CFC was almost 10 years in the making and was motivated by the environmental concerns. Unfortunately, only one of the manufacturers of generic albuterol was prepared to switch to HFA. When they realize that they were the only one, they decided to price themselves like a brand name and drug. This looks as if it will change in the future.
A few years ago, chlorofluorocarbon-propellant albuterol inhalers were replaced by HFA-propellant inhalers (it was claimed this was for environmetal reasons, but reality is that there is patent protection on HFA Inhalers so no generics exist.).
The new inhalers, in a word, suck. If I am having an airway obstruction I take 10 puffs if not more (which means, in addition to being more expensive, I have to buy them more often). So from personal experience, I wouldn't judge anyone who "over-medicates" on the new inhaler. They just dont work as well.
I will add that all inhalers are the same size. It might have appeared larger because she was using a spacer (which makes the delivery of the medicine more effective).
The pulmonary deposition of most HFA inhalers is superior to their CFC predecessors. Most studies show improved efficacy with the newer inhalers. With less deposition in the mouth, some people feel that they are getting less but the reality appears to be the opposite.
The switch from CFC was almost 10 years in the making and was motivated by the environmental concerns. Unfortunately, only one of the manufacturers of generic albuterol was prepared to switch to HFA. When they realize that they were the only one, they decided to price themselves like a brand name and drug. This looks as if it will change in the future.
