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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / November 2005cheapest source for Albuterol & Flovent
Hi. My cat has asthma that's getting worse. I just ordered an AeroKat inhaler. Now I need to buy the medications. Here are the particulars for those in the know: Albuterol: 90ucg/puff; quantity: 6.7g #1 Flovent: 220 ucg/puff; quantity: 7.9g #1 As sources for these medications, my vet suggested Drs. Foster & Smith (they're calling me back with a quote tomorrow), Vetcentric (my vet will obtain the quote for me), and PetCareRx (they don't carry these medications). I'd appreciate it if someone can direct me to other good, but relatively inexpensive, online source for these medications. I just got a quote of $311 for 120 doses of Flovent! And I'm supposed to give it to my cat twice a day. That's over $1800/year. Excuse me, but that's a lot of money! So any help would be most appreciated. Thanks. are you sure about the ucg? I did a web search and looked them up under wholesale. I use www.webferet.com for searches it has an exact phrase search Flovent it comes in 25 mcg 50mcg 125mcg 250mcg and albuterol comes in 100 mcg let me ask a question is the inhaler for the cat just like one for a human I think it so myself and the gentleman name Phil P. His website recommends using this http://www.aerokat.com/ to deliver the dose with ease to a cat If these doses sizes are not right I will keep checking around below are links to order from Canada alberterol prices are between 10 and 20 for 100 mcg 200 doses and flovent is about 80 for 220 doses of 250 mcg http://www.buylowdrugs.com/prices.php http://www.getcanadiandrugs.com/index.php http://www.canadapharmacy.com/cart/index.cfm?fuseaction=product_detail&productur lname=Flovent.inhaler.Fluticasone&productid=1530&campaignid=469&ovchn=GGL&ovcpn= google&ovcrn=flovent&ovtac=PPC No More Retail wrote: > are you sure about the ucg? I heard the person say ucg. Maybe I mis-heard her. I guess I did. I just got off the phone with a doctor friend. He said it's \mu cg (micrograms), not ucg. I did a web search and looked them up under > wholesale. I use www.webferet.com for searches it has an exact phrase > search > Flovent it comes in 25 mcg 50mcg 125mcg 250mcg and > albuterol comes in 100 mcg Also, my doctor friend told me that there is no reason that Al (my cat) has to take Flovent. He said there are alternatives such as Beclomethisone, Triamcinelone, and Fluticasone. Like Flovent, all of these other drugs are steroids. That will pose some problem for management of Al's diabetes, but shouldn't be too bad since the steroid is in the form of an aerosol. At least that's my understanding. The bottom line is that I'm not spending $1900/year on one drug. I'm already spending a lot of money on Al. The Flovent is definitely over the top. Sometimes these vets write prescriptions as if we have wallets with endless supplies of money. I don't know about you, but that's not the case for me. And I do have other expenses. Sorry to vent, but I'm quite frustrated. > let me ask a question is the inhaler for the cat just like one for a > human I think it so myself and the gentleman name Phil P. His website > recommends using this http://www.aerokat.com/ to deliver the dose with ease > to a cat I purchased an AeroKat inhaler today. > If these doses sizes are not right I will keep checking around > below are links to order from Canada [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > http://www.getcanadiandrugs.com/index.php > http://www.canadapharmacy.com/cart/index.cfm?fuseaction=product_detail&productur lname=Flovent.inhaler.Fluticasone&productid=1530&campaignid=469&ovchn=GGL&ovcpn= google&ovcrn=flovent&ovtac=PPC Thanks for the alternative sources. I'll check them out for Flovent as well as for the other drugs mentioned by my friend. > No More Retail wrote: > > are you sure about the ucg? > > I heard the person say ucg. Maybe I mis-heard her. I guess I did. I just > got off the phone with a doctor friend. He said it's \mu cg > (micrograms), not ucg. The confusion stems from the fact that the greek symbol for micro is sometimes typed as a "u". It is actually a lower-case mu symbol (a "u" with a long front tail). The person on the phone simply didn't understand the symbol, or it was typed as a "u". One thing to keep in mind about abuterol and Flovent is that there are two types of solvents used as carriers - CFC and HFA. It has been my experience (and that of many asthmatics) that the HFA is the less irritating formulation of the two, if you are buying them in the "propellant system" formulation (not liquid). You might want to check with your vet to make sure the HFA formulation is ok to use, if that's the case. HTH, -L. > Also, my doctor friend told me that there is no reason that Al (my cat) > has to take Flovent. He said there are alternatives such as > Beclomethisone, Triamcinelone, and Fluticasone. (Fluticasone is Flovent) Like Flovent, all of > these other drugs are steroids. That will pose some problem for > management of Al's diabetes, but shouldn't be too bad since the steroid > is in the form of an aerosol. No, no, no. Flovent is the *best* steroid for use in diabetic cats because its more efficacious and only 0.17% of the drug is absorbed systemically. Beclomethisone and Triamcinelone are much older drugs and absorbed systemically to a much higher degree. I've use Flovent (fluticasone propionate) in diabetic cats with absolutely no adverse effects on their diabetes. At least that's my understanding. The > bottom line is that I'm not spending $1900/year on one drug. I'm already > spending a lot of money on Al. The Flovent is definitely over the top. > Sometimes these vets write prescriptions as if we have wallets with > endless supplies of money. I don't know about you, but that's not the > case for me. And I do have other expenses. Sorry to vent, but I'm quite > frustrated. Which state do you live in? I may know a source for Flovent at a significantly lower price. Phil > Hi. My cat has asthma that's getting worse. I just ordered an AeroKat > inhaler. Remember, the AeroKat doesn't have a one-way valve between the chamber and mouthpiece like the AeroChamber and OptiChamber. So, if the cat moves or struggles and breaks the seal between the mask and her face before she inhales the medication will be lost. The AeroChamber and OptiChamber have a one-way valve that holds the medication in the chamber until the cat inhales. That means you can actuate the inhaler away from the cat's face and then place the mask on her face. If she struggles or moves the medication won't be lost. http://www.maxshouse.com/inhalation_therapy_for_airway_disease.htm http://www.maxshouse.com/feline_asthma_and_bronchitis.htm Now I need to buy the medications. Here are the particulars for > those in the know: > > Albuterol: 90ucg/puff; quantity: 6.7g #1 > Flovent: 220 ucg/puff; quantity: 7.9g #1 Are you sure about those quantities? They sound like (free) physician sample sizes. Flovent 220 mcg/120 dose inhaler only comes in 13 g sizes for $156, and albuterol 90 mcg/200 dose inhaler comes in 17 g sizes. > As sources for these medications, my vet suggested Drs. Foster & Smith > (they're calling me back with a quote tomorrow), Vetcentric (my vet will [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > inexpensive, online source for these medications. I just got a quote of > $311 for 120 doses of Flovent! That's ridiculous! I buy Flovent 220 mcg/120 doses for $156 and Albuterol 90 mcg/200 doses for $20 at CVS. Just get a script from your vet and fill it at CVS or Eckhart's Pharmacy. Phil >>Hi. My cat has asthma that's getting worse. I just ordered an AeroKat >>inhaler. [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > > Phil Phil, Thanks so much for your help! The quote of $311 came from a pets-only pharmacy in Maryland. I live in DC. So if you know of a place that has Flovent for even less than $156, I'd appreciate knowing about it. And I'm very irritated with my vet for not even mentioning the other two inhalers that you mentioned. As I stated, I already ordered the AeroKat. I'm going to call them today to see if I can cancel and/or return the unit. I want to look into getting the one of the other two inhalers you mentioned. > Thanks so much for your help! The quote of $311 came from a pets-only > pharmacy in Maryland. I live in DC. Was that price for one inhaler? If it is, its beyond a rip-off and closer to consumer fraud. So if you know of a place that has > Flovent for even less than $156, I'd appreciate knowing about it. I think I do, but you would probably have to buy a six-month supply (6 inhalers) and your vet would have to write the script for that amount. IOW, "Flovent, 78 g #6" (6 x 13 g). When I bought quantity, I think I paid about $125-7- somewhere around there. I'm absolutely sure it wasn't more than $127 ea. I'll get the details and email you if your email addy is working. And > I'm very irritated with my vet for not even mentioning the other two > inhalers that you mentioned. Its possible that he doesn't know about them because they're human areochambers. Also, some vets think cats can't produce enough inhalation force to activate the one-way valve, but this is not true. I've used the AeroChamber on several asthmatic cats with no problems whatsoever. Since the cat's face is covered, his natural instinct is to gasp for air- which produces more than enough force. Remember, the valve is extremely sensitive because during an asthmatic attack, an infant can't produce much inhalation force. The same AeroChamber is used on human infants and adults- the *only* difference is the size of the face mask and color trim. If you look at this picture of using an AeroKat, you'll see that you need one hand to hold the AeroKat against the cat's face and the other hand to hold the back of the cat's neck. How do you activate the metered dose inhaler if you don't have another person (or hand)? You can't activate the MDI before you place the AeroKat against the cat's face because the medication will escape through the mask. http://www.maxshouse.com/Illustrations/Aero+Cat.jpg The only it will work is if you hold the AeroKat by the MDI with your middle finger on the MDI and wrap your thumb and forefinger around the AreoKat. Like so: http://www.maxshouse.com/Illustrations/AreoChamber_Grip.jpg The MDI is then activated by your middle finger and your other hand can hold the back of the cat's neck against the facemask. This is actually how I hold the Aerochamber while I'm medicating a cat. With the AeroChamber, you can activate the MDI into the chamber away from the cat's face and then use one hand to hold the AeroChamber against the cat's face and the other hand to hold the back of the cat's neck. Its a 3 second procedure. Even if the cats moves and struggles a little, the medication will remain in the chamber until the cat inhales. The seal between the MDI and AeroChamber is very tight- but if you wait too long, some medication can escape- the AeroKat has the same seal. As I stated, I already ordered the AeroKat. > I'm going to call them today to see if I can cancel and/or return the > unit. I want to look into getting the one of the other two inhalers you > mentioned. Since you've already ordered it, try it. I've known people that haven't had problems using AeroKats on their cats- but that might be because they had another person to hold the cat or AeroKat and activate the MDI or they use a technique similar to mine- which is not according to the instructions. Otherwise, one person can't do it. If you decide to get an AeroChamber, make sure you get the *infant* model- it comes with an infant mask already attached. The adult AeroChamber doesn't come with a face mask- its sold separately. You can tell when the canister is empty or almost empty by putting it in a glass of water. If it floats horizontally, its empty. Otherwise the bottom of the canister will sink and it will float straight up in the water. This is about the best site on feline asthma http://www.fritzthebrave.com/ http://www.fritzthebrave.com/meds/inhaled.html --- -- even better than mine! Phil Hi all... a little commentary. We find prices routinely in the 100-125 USD for the Flovent (aka fluticasone) that Fritz receives (120 metered doses, 220ug). Note that the 220ug is the US labeling which requires measuring the dose at the plastic boot, in other countries the same exact product is labeled 250ug which is the dose delivered to the plastic boot - 30ug is either deposited in the interior or escapes around the boot. Optichamber and AeroChamber were on the market first. Cat owners and veterinarians (even Dr. Philip Padrid) routinely modified them or to improve the dose delivery efficiency by a number of means, including: replacing the mask with a more cat-friendly one, by cutting out the valving, by adding tape around the mask/chamber connection where losses occurred. Aerokat overcame all these deficiencies. It was designed for cats, not humans. All three products (Optichamber, aerochamber, aerokat) were evaluated by the Aerokat manufacturer using a 'live' physical model of a cat's respiratory system (shape of face and nostrils and constrictions in upper airway, lung tidal volume, flow rate, respiration rate). The size of respirable particles and their deposited dose in the 'lungs' of the mechanism were compared. Guess, even with modifications, which product was the most efficient in delivering the dose? Aerokat. A cat's lungs are much weaker in comparison to a similar sized human (a baby), and much less strong than the equivalent weight dog. Cats are made for waiting and pouncing, humans are made for long walks, and dogs for jogging for hours at a time. So you'll see the cat has the least going for it in lung strength. Most cats *can* use optichamber and aerochamber, but the losses on the way to the lungs are greater than aerokat and the delivered dose lower. As for alternative inhaled steroids to fluticasone/Flovent? There aren't any that are as effective and this is supported both through research and the biochemical and physical properties of fluticasone. Important measures here are the respirable particle size (must be very small to penetrate to the lung tissue), the therapeutic efficacy on the lung tissue, and the flushing through the excretory process of the steroid which doesn't make it into the lungs. From an individual testing perspective with Fritz and several other cats on the Yahoo! Feline Asthma Inhaled Meds group, who have tried alternatives, the therapeutic response has been disappointing. (Thanks Phil your information here was accurate!) We have photos and videos of delivering the dose of Flovent with Fritz on www.fritzthebrave.com -- take a look and you can see it takes one hand to operate the dispensing (thanks again Phil). There are many other ways of holding the cat than we show, as well. Cheers, James coauthor, http://www.fritzthebrave.com, Feline Asthma with Fritz the Brave! > Hi all... a little commentary. > [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > for jogging for hours at a time. So you'll see the cat has the least > going for it in lung strength. With all due respect to Dr. Padrid, that's the marketing gimmick used to promote the AeroKat. The AeroChamber with the infant face mask is perfectly suitable for use in cats. The sensitivity and resistance of the valve system does not restrict or limit inhalation. We have used the AeroChamber on many cats with excellent results- IMO, much better results than with the AeroKat since the cats receive the entire dose with no loss of medication. > Most cats *can* use optichamber and aerochamber, but the losses on the > way to the lungs are greater than aerokat and the delivered dose lower. Actually, the valve and baffle system of the AeroChamber enhances fine particle dose delivery to the lungs and reduces inhaling larger particles that will be deposited in the cat's mouth or nasal passages and subsequently absorbed systemically. Without the valve system, the AeroKat is little more than a hollow tube with a mask and is as efficient as a cardboard toilet paper core (no offense-just making an accurate analogy). The major flaw in AeroKat is that the medication is lost if you don't get it right on the first try or if you're medicating an uncooperative cat. At about a $1.00 a dose, failures can quickly cause a caretaker to resort to systemic steroids or even relinquish the cat. > As for alternative inhaled steroids to fluticasone/Flovent? There > aren't any that are as effective and this is supported both through [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > hand to operate the dispensing (thanks again Phil). There are many > other ways of holding the cat than we show, as well. The other methods might work, assuming you're medicating a cooperative cat. You have a great site! Phil > Cheers, > James > coauthor, http://www.fritzthebrave.com, Feline Asthma with Fritz the > Brave! > Hi all... a little commentary. > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > 250ug which is the dose delivered to the plastic boot - 30ug is either > deposited in the interior or escapes around the boot. [Rest of message deleted] Hi. I appreciate all the information. What's your source that you're able to pay $100-125? The cheapest price I've been able to get is $133.67 (and that's if you buy 6 inhalers at $800 up front). Thanks. > > Hi all... a little commentary. > > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Thanks. Your best source for advice on all issues related to using inhaled medication for cats with asthma would be http://groups.yahoo.com/group/felineasthma_inhaledmeds/ We have one cat with asthma and she's been on Flovent 110 administered with the AeroKat for about three years, no problems at all. We just buy the Flovent at Walgreens, but it's a little more expensive there than if you look at the sources suggested by members of the feline asthma inhaled medication group. They show, for example, that you can get three units of the Flovent 220 for about $332 from drustore.com. Our cat only needs one puff once a day so it lasts longer for us, but many cats need the higher dosages. -Yngver "Newsman" <newsman@verizon.net> wrote > Phil, > Thanks so much for your help! The quote of $311 came from a pets-only > pharmacy in Maryland. I live in DC. So if you know of a place that has [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > unit. I want to look into getting the one of the other two inhalers you > mentioned. This kind of thing happens time and again and is one reason why Phil, for all his crankiness [>:)] contributes more to this group than anyone with regard to medical issues. Now when my vet tells me something I ask Phil before I make any decisions. He's really good about keeping up with the latest information, not to mention generous about taking the time to share the information his love of cats has moved him to seek out and absorb. Way to go, Phil. > This kind of thing happens time and again and is one reason why > Phil, for all his crankiness [>:)] contributes more to this group than > anyone with regard to medical issues. He's also the only one who has never given you any sh.t for being an a.shole. BTW, do you always slurp him twice when he makes a post, cybercat, er, I mean, Lumpy? Or is it Mary today? or Topaz? -L. > This kind of thing happens time and again and is one reason why > Phil, for all his crankiness [>:)] contributes more to this group than [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > love of cats has moved him to seek out and absorb. Way to > go, Phil. What do you mean by "crankiness"? LOL! I'm not cranky, I just have a low tolerance for a.sholes. > > Hi. My cat has asthma that's getting worse. I just ordered an AeroKat > > inhaler. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > http://www.maxshouse.com/feline_asthma_and_bronchitis.htm Really good to know, Phil. Heck Phil I added your website to our link preferred sites; ps you need a search engine on it. Which on is better to use for the inhalers |
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