About Allergies: Should You Use ProAir, Ventolin or Proventil HFA?

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Allergies Allergies Symptoms / Diagnosis Treatment Coping From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies Since the switch from CFC-based to HFA-based albuterol inhalers, a generic version of albuterol no longer exists. Today, there are 3 different brands of albuterol HFA available: ProAir, Ventolin and Proventil. Is there a difference between these inhalers? Does one work better than another? The truth is that all of these inhalers do basically the same thing -- relieve the acute symptoms of asthma, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness. Ventolin, however, has a dose counter, while ProAir and Proventil do not. A dose-counter on a rescue medicine may be an extremely important tool to have, because there really isn't another way to know how much medicine is left in the inhaler. Read more about the different forms of albuterol, and why a dose counter should probably be on all forms of asthma rescue inhalers. ProAir, Ventolin or Proventil? Albuterol is an inhaled medication used for the immediate treatment of the symptoms of asthma -- coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Albuterol works by relaxing the smooth muscles of the lungs, typically within a few minutes of taking the medication. Therefore, it is often referred to as a "rescue" medicine for the treatment of asthma... Read more See More About:  asthma symptoms  asthma diagnosis  asthma treatment Why the Change to Albuterol HFA? Many people with asthma have noticed a change in their albuterol inhaler recently - the old, white generic CFC (chlorofluorocarbon)-propellant albuterol inhalers have been replaced by brand-name HFA-propellant albuterol inhalers. While this change is in the interest of the environment and preservation of the earth's ozone layer... Read more See More About:  asthma treatments  albuterol  xopenex Overview of Medicines to Treat Asthma In general, there are 2 types of asthma medications: rescue and controller medicines. Most asthmatics require both medications. Many people with asthma are under-treated with only a rescue inhaler, which is a common mistake for physicians to make... Read more See More About:  allergies  allergist  allergy testing Allergies Ads Allergies Nebulizer for Asthma Buy Inhalers Asthma Inhalers Allergies Itchy Skin Featured Articles Food Allergies Allergies in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Drug and Latex Allergies Insect Allergies Anaphylaxis Allergy Shots and Drops (Immunotherapy)   More from About.com Over the Counter Cold Medications How to choose the right medication for your cold and flu symptoms. More> Should Kids Get Flu Shots? Think your child is too healthy to need a flu shot? Think again. More> This newsletter is written by: Daniel More, MD Allergies Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Allergies newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Must Reads What are Allergies? Symptoms of Allergies Diagnosis of Allergies Treatment of Allergies Preventing Allergies Advertisement