Buying blue (ventolin) asthma inhaler

Lily-Rose_3

Does anyone know if you can buy the blue inhalers over the counter anywhere without actually going to the doctors?

Thank you.

DomRavioli

Lily-Rose wrote: »

Does anyone know if you can buy the blue inhalers over the counter anywhere without actually going to the doctors?

Thank you.

It is a prescription only medicine. So no, you cannot buy it over the counter.

If you need more, make a review appt with the asthma nurse as salbutamol (drug name for ventolin, which is a brand name) should be used sparingly. If you need a second inhaler for school/work, this may be provided, and you may also be able to request on a private prescription from your GP where it will cost a different amount than a normal prescription charge and is not covered under any NHS exemption as it is not an NHS prescription.

theoretica

A few years back they became available to buy without prescription, and I haven't seen any news that this was rescinded.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18936197

Having re-read the article, I think they have a doctor somewhere in the process so it may still be prescription - but without a GP visit.

Gingernutty

If it's an emergency, you're an asthmatic and you've run out, some pharmacist will let you buy some medicines.

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1011.aspx?CategoryID=73

This should not be done on a regular basis.

As an asthmatic myself, ventolin is an emergency only medicine. You shouldn't be using it much, if at all.

If you're running out regularly, you really need an asthma review with your practice nurse.

Lily-Rose_3

theoretica wrote: »

A few years back they became available to buy without prescription, and I haven't seen any news that this was rescinded.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18936197

Having re-read the article, I think they have a doctor somewhere in the process so it may still be prescription - but without a GP visit.

Yeah I heard that ASDA used to dish it out over the counter, for about 5 or 6 pounds. But I'm not sure if they still do it.

Someone said to me (on another forum I go on,) that Superdrug let you buy them too.

But I just wondered if anyone knew for sure who does sell them.

gwen80

Lily-Rose wrote: »

Yeah I heard that ASDA used to dish it out over the counter, for about 5 or 6 pounds. But I'm not sure if they still do it.

Someone said to me (on another forum I go on,) that Superdrug let you buy them too.

But I just wondered if anyone knew for sure who does sell them.

One of the earlier posters is quite right - Salbutamol is prescription only. As a reliever medication, it should be being used sparingly if your asthma is controlled. I'm not sure of your circumstances, but I think you would be best to visit your doctor.

All the best

Gwen

Money_maker

OP has had a thread previously where she disagreed with everyone about the use of her inhalers and was peeved that she was not allowed to have the quantity she felt she needed. Cant find the link at the mo but would shed some light for anyone looking to advise.

savingfortomorrow

Lily-Rose wrote: »

Does anyone know if you can buy the blue inhalers over the counter anywhere without actually going to the doctors?
)

Australia. The cost of travel might be a down side.

wondercollie

It's controlled where I live. Has a street value.

heartbreak_star

Have you got a preventer as well as a reliever?

HBS x

Lily-Rose_3

In answer to peoples questions, this isn't about me. I am asking on behalf of a friend whose son is going away (tomorrow) for 2 weeks. He only has a bit of his blue inhaler left, and she wondered if she could buy one over the counter for him to save bothering the doctor.

I think it makes far more sense to be able to pop into the pharmacy and buy a blue inhaler, than to waste the doctor's time (as well as hers and her son's.) We waste enough NHS funds as it is, surely it would make sense to just be able to pop into the pharmacy and buy one from over the counter.

Anyway, she rang the doctor's surgery this morning, and they are giving her son a prescription for one later today.

She is still interested to know though, if anywhere sells them, as she now has to finish work an hour early (and lose an hour's pay,) to go get it from the surgery, when she could have got it in her lunch hour from the town centre where she works if one of the pharmacists had sold them.

Thanks for your responses, but as I said, it would be handy if someone could suggest any pharmacy that sell them over the counter.