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Hey Finnigan,
I would not recommend using Primatene Mist on your children unless prescribed by your doctor. Yes it is made from epinephrine but most people should only use epi if you have signs and symptoms of anaphylactic shock. Unless you know your children have severe allergies to something, you should not be giving them epi as it is NOT a harmless medication. I would however keep some Benadryl around and if you are worried they are having an allergic reaction, call 911 immediately as they may need further medical attention.
Some other comments to previous comments. Allergists using the skin tests are still the standard of care. Yes there is a simple blood test called the RAST but it is in a way primative and does not pinpoint what you are allergic to. You can have a negative RAST blood test, yet still be allergic to MANY things.
Also, albuterol is NOT made from epi. Albuterol is a beta agonist and epi is an alpha and a beta agonist. They react at some similar receptors (beta 2 I believe) but not at all and they do different things. Albuterol is used primarily for bronchodilation (opening up your airways) such as in COPD or asthma. Inhaled epi is rarely used to airway stuff unless you have stridor (an inspiratory sound heard when your airway is closing up) seen in children with croup and some select patients with asthma. I’ve never heard it being used for allergic reactions. There likely isnt good systemic penetration via the lungs and if you are having a severe allergic reaction, you need the epi to circulate throughout your whole body and not mostly get sucked up into the lungs.
Epi is however used for some people with asthma (as in Primatene mist, which is a small dose into your lungs), given IV for anaphylactic shock and cardiac arrest (and other pulseless non-profusing cardiac situations). It is not a safe drug to have around “just in case” unless you know exactly how much to give it and when.
AAROSOL said: ↑
Hey Finnigan,I would not recommend using Primatene Mist on your children unless prescribed by your doctor. Yes it is made from epinephrine but most people should only use epi if you have signs and symptoms of anaphylactic shock. Unless you know your children have severe allergies to something, you should not be giving them epi as it is NOT a harmless medication. I would however keep some Benadryl around and if you are worried they are having an allergic reaction, call 911 immediately as they may need further medical attention.
Some other comments to previous comments. Allergists using the skin tests are still the standard of care. Yes there is a simple blood test called the RAST but it is in a way primative and does not pinpoint what you are allergic to. You can have a negative RAST blood test, yet still be allergic to MANY things.
Also, albuterol is NOT made from epi. Albuterol is a beta agonist and epi is an alpha and a beta agonist. They react at some similar receptors (beta 2 I believe) but not at all and they do different things. Albuterol is used primarily for bronchodilation (opening up your airways) such as in COPD or asthma. Inhaled epi is rarely used to airway stuff unless you have stridor (an inspiratory sound heard when your airway is closing up) seen in children with croup and some select patients with asthma. I’ve never heard it being used for allergic reactions. There likely isnt good systemic penetration via the lungs and if you are having a severe allergic reaction, you need the epi to circulate throughout your whole body and not mostly get sucked up into the lungs.
Epi is however used for some people with asthma (as in Primatene mist, which is a small dose into your lungs), given IV for anaphylactic shock and cardiac arrest (and other pulseless non-profusing cardiac situations). It is not a safe drug to have around “just in case” unless you know exactly how much to give it and when.
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Wow, I think I just had a flashback to medic class. That all is spot on. Although we do have a choice between Epi and terbutaline (brethine) as an IM med for asthmatics if they are working too hard. Terbutaline does not have the significant cardiac effects that epi does, and per our protocol, anyone over 45 gets it instead of EPI. Truth be told, I just use terbutaline for all my patients because it works well across the board, at least in my experience.Finnigan said: ↑
Okay, first a disclaimer. I am in no way endorsing anything. I am here asking for opinions on a possible application of some information I was given.In a recent CPR/First Aid class one thing we spent a brief ammount of time on was the use of an Epinephrine pen. These are available by perscription to some who have severe allergic reactions.
The conductor of our class made mention of the fact that there IS an over the counter source for Epinephrine. Primatene Mist is an inhaler which is primarily Epinephrine. He mentioned that he carries one because he has an allergy to shrimp and, when he feels a reaction comming on, he will use the Primatene Mist early on instead of his Epi-pen.
I was wondering if it would be prudent, or even advisable for me, as the Father of two young children with an unknown status as far as allergies is concerned, to carry a Primatene Mist Inhaler in my hiking booboo kit?
What do those in the know think?
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DON’T DO IT! First of all, it doesn’t work as well as Albuterol for bronchodilation. Secondly, it is a potent vasoconstrictor and if used in excess can cause so much vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels) it can cause ischemia (lack of bloodflow) to the heart and lungs. So, essentially it gets worse. Primatine should be illegal. I would much rather albuterol be legal than primatine. I have seen 2 people dead with primatine inhalers near the body. One was clenched in the hand. Nasty stuff….Thanks for all the advice! I’ll stay away from the Primatene Mist.
I will say though that my son has been perscribed albuterol at times for sinus infections and it makes him CRAZY! The Dr. told us it is a steroid and can make him a bit hyer and/ or cranky. HOLY COW the Wife and I HATE albuterol!
Finnigan said: ↑
Thanks for all the advice! I’ll stay away from the Primatene Mist.I will say though that my son has been perscribed albuterol at times for sinus infections and it makes him CRAZY! The Dr. told us it is a steroid and can make him a bit hyer and/ or cranky. HOLY COW the Wife and I HATE albuterol!
Crazy and cranky beat dead any day of the week! It is all about perspective.Finnigan said: ↑
Thanks for all the advice! I’ll stay away from the Primatene Mist.I will say though that my son has been perscribed albuterol at times for sinus infections and it makes him CRAZY! The Dr. told us it is a steroid and can make him a bit hyer and/ or cranky. HOLY COW the Wife and I HATE albuterol!
Crazy and cranky beat dead any day of the week! It is all about perspective.Finnigan said: ↑
Thanks for all the advice! I’ll stay away from the Primatene Mist.I will say though that my son has been perscribed albuterol at times for sinus infections and it makes him CRAZY! The Dr. told us it is a steroid and can make him a bit hyer and/ or cranky. HOLY COW the Wife and I HATE albuterol!
Crazy and cranky beat dead any day of the week! It is all about perspective.Finnigan said: ↑
Thanks for all the advice! I’ll stay away from the Primatene Mist.I will say though that my son has been perscribed albuterol at times for sinus infections and it makes him CRAZY! The Dr. told us it is a steroid and can make him a bit hyer and/ or cranky. HOLY COW the Wife and I HATE albuterol!
Crazy and cranky beat dead any day of the week! It is all about perspective.Finnigan said: ↑
Thanks for all the advice! I’ll stay away from the Primatene Mist.I will say though that my son has been perscribed albuterol at times for sinus infections and it makes him CRAZY! The Dr. told us it is a steroid and can make him a bit hyer and/ or cranky. HOLY COW the Wife and I HATE albuterol!
Crazy and cranky beat dead any day of the week! It is all about perspective.
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