My husband has taken Berotec (along with Pulmicort) for many years and today our pharmacist informs me that it's been discontinued.
I did some fast research on the net and found info showing that this has been coming for a few years. Something about CFCs in Berotec and the govt phasing these out.
I'm seriously irritated that we're only finding out about this now but that's not the immediate concern.
The urgent problem is what inhaler he should take now. Ventolin (which the pharmacist recommended) doesn't work on him.
Our Doc is on holidays this week so I'm wondering - does anyone know what the recommended replacement is? Is there any option besides Ventolin?
Hmm...several Canadian pharmacy websites show it still available. Maybe your pharmacy is now out (it is being discontinued as are all inhalers with CFCs) and you could find it elsewhere. Mine once told me there was a shortage of one of my meds and they didn;t know when they would get any more. The pharmacy down the road had it.
But sooner or later we're going to need to find a new inhaler. What is everyone else taking in place of the Berotec?
Also, wouldn't the company that makes Berotec have a replacement available? It seems to me that this was a very popular inhaler and no company likes to lose a money making product.
Well, most have gone to HFA inhalent instead of the CFCs. Flovent and Albuterol have done this. You might ask if they have HFA version but I didn't see anything about that in what I saw online. Some people don't like the HFA propellant...say it doesn't work as well but I haven't noticed any difference. I don't know of anyone taking Berotec - assume it's a UK thing, not American. Everyone here seems to be on Advair or Flovent. Hope this helps.
it would be less convenient, but is it available in solution for a nebulizer? that would be one option to stay on it. Also you might try doing a search for a combo drug, like Advair, that still contains it. But alas that would still require a new rx.
If you're just looking for a long term brocodialator, Spirva works for me. I also take Advair and use a ProventilHFA (albuterol) as needed.
Last edited by bluedog139; 08-07-2007 at 11:42 PM.
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