Tip of the Week – Primatene Mist (2011-12-01)

Audio MP3 recording of important update on Primate Mist

Click to listen: Primatene Mist Update (December 1, 2011)


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About Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

CYNTHIA J KOELKER , MD is a board-certified family physician with over twenty years of clinical experience. A member of American Mensa, Dr. Koelker holds degrees in biology, humanities, medicine, and music from M.I.T., Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and the University of Akron. She served in the National Health Service Corps to finance her medical education.
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4 Responses to Tip of the Week – Primatene Mist (2011-12-01)

  1. Robert P says:

    Epinephrine is adrenaline.

    I’ve used it occasionally for decades with no ill side-effects. A refill lasts me about a year but without it I’m in trouble.

  2. stevesmitty79 says:

    How long does Primatene Mist last? I bought about a dozen canisters that were recently expired very cheap at a scratch and dent store. Just a couple bucks each. Also, does albuterol have the same increased heart rate and blood pressure issues as Primatene? Would it be considered more stable in that respect for users with heart conditions? Thanks.

    • The expiration dates on medicines indicate the date until they are guaranteed good until, like the date on a carton of eggs that says, “Best if used by . . . date.” The manufacturer will tell you to discard them after this date because they have not been tested. However, I expect they’d be good for quite a while, as per the Shelf Life Extension Program results (which I discuss in detail in my book, Armageddon Medicine) – probably for several years.

      As for albuterol, I don’t expect it would be more or less “stable” in this respect, but it is considered safer for heart patients, yes. There tends to be less systemic absorption, that is, the medicine tends to stay in the lungs rather than enter the blood stream, which epinephrine does quite readily. Albuterol does come in pills as well, which do have a systemic effect, often including jitteriness, rapid heart rate, anxiety, and sometimes elevated blood pressure. Doctors rarely use these, though they are inexpensive ($10 for 180 4-mg tablets per the Wal-Mart $4 prescription list).

  3. Deanna says:

    I had heard that Primatene Mist was inhaled epinephrine awhile back. I had used it a few times years ago when I was out of my Ventolin, but did not realize it was epinephrine! (that explains alot)

    Being an astthmatic who is also allergic to bee stings, I had to get some before it goes off the market. I have a few Epi-pens, but the thought of stabbing myself with a 1-inch needle is rather frightening.

    I would prefer to use the Primatene inhaler FIRST! If it doesn’t work I’ll then use the Epi-pen.

    Primatene Mist makes you VERY VERY jittery!! It can take a few hours to lose the jitter feeling. I personally feel as if I am shaking from the inside out. I can almost feel my internal organs shaking.

    Its not the most pleasent feeling, but it does work when you are having an asthma attack.

    I paid about $21 at Walmart Pharmacy. Hope you can find them cheaper somewhere else, but who can really put a price on LIFE1

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