Over-the-Counter Asthma Inhalers Should Be Used Cautiously
Over-the-Counter Asthma Inhalers Should Be Used Cautiously
Sept. 15, 2000 -- With asthma on the rise in children, many parents of asthmatics can probably relate to this story. "We've spent many a night in the emergency room, trying to get Adam's asthma under control," Robin Stauffer, Adam's mother, tells WebMD. "He's much better when we keep him on his medicines and reduce his exposure to things that irritate his breathing, but every once in a while, we have used an asthma inhaler from the drugstore."
Robin's use of this type of inhaler, called an over-the-counter, or OTC, asthma inhaler, is how these medicines should be used, occasionally and only for mild asthma, according to a special report published by the American Medical Association Council on Scientific Affairs in the August issue of the journal Chest. However, a large number of people who use OTC inhalers may use them too often or for more severe asthma. This improper use may result in progression of the disease or even death.
"Our recommendation at this time is that labeling on OTC inhalers should be strengthened to let users know appropriate and inappropriate use of these medications," Roy Altman, MD, tells WebMD. "An estimated 20% of OTC inhaler users have more severe disease and should be under the care of a physician with a treatment plan including the use of corticosteroids." Altman is chief of rheumatology and immunology at the University of Miami and vice chair of the council.
Altman and his colleagues on the council looked at studies and reports related to the use of OTC asthma inhalers to assess their safety. "For the most part, what we're seeing is so far, so good," he says. "The inhalers have generally been used properly, but the public needs to know that if they aren't experiencing relief, they need to see a physician."
Altman says this issue is particularly important for older people. "Older people tend to have more severe disease and may be on a number of other medicines or have conditions that may worsen with the use of OTC inhalers," he says. "Any older person who is just starting to wheeze needs to be evaluated by a physician."
Robin's use of this type of inhaler, called an over-the-counter, or OTC, asthma inhaler, is how these medicines should be used, occasionally and only for mild asthma, according to a special report published by the American Medical Association Council on Scientific Affairs in the August issue of the journal Chest. However, a large number of people who use OTC inhalers may use them too often or for more severe asthma. This improper use may result in progression of the disease or even death.
"Our recommendation at this time is that labeling on OTC inhalers should be strengthened to let users know appropriate and inappropriate use of these medications," Roy Altman, MD, tells WebMD. "An estimated 20% of OTC inhaler users have more severe disease and should be under the care of a physician with a treatment plan including the use of corticosteroids." Altman is chief of rheumatology and immunology at the University of Miami and vice chair of the council.
Altman and his colleagues on the council looked at studies and reports related to the use of OTC asthma inhalers to assess their safety. "For the most part, what we're seeing is so far, so good," he says. "The inhalers have generally been used properly, but the public needs to know that if they aren't experiencing relief, they need to see a physician."
Altman says this issue is particularly important for older people. "Older people tend to have more severe disease and may be on a number of other medicines or have conditions that may worsen with the use of OTC inhalers," he says. "Any older person who is just starting to wheeze needs to be evaluated by a physician."
