Question 1

son is 10 got a cold now has heavy cough he did a breathing treatment with  albuterol what over counter med can i buy for him ?

Accepted Answer

Asthma: if your son has asthma, over the counter cold medications could be harmful for him. Have him assessed to see if he requires additional treatment for his asthma. All the best.

Question 2

will liquid albuterol help my sinus infection? i've been taking amoxicillin i was prescribed at the er but couldn't afford the other medication. nothing over-the-counter is helping! please help i have a horrible cough and so much pressure in my head still

Accepted Answer

No: Albuterol is a bronchodilator used to open airways in the lungs.  It has minimal effects on the sinuses or upper airways.

Question 3

my proair albuterol inhaler just reached zero on the dose counter. there is medicine left, can i still use it?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: It might be that when you reach ZERO on the counter, there is a little bit left, but not a reliable amount per puff. Therefore, when an inhaler is needed, if one has a new one, use the new one. If one has no new one, using the old one would be better than using nothing. One can get a refill when the pharmacy opens.

Question 4

is there anything otc that has similar uses to albuterol?

Accepted Answer

No: The over the counter preparations like primatine mist have epinephrine in them, and due to deaths and the CFCs the drug was banned.  if you have a known diagnosis of asthma call your doctor and ask for a prescription. If you are having trouble breathing right now, you may need to visit urgent care or the ER for assessment and treatment. If you don&#x27;t have a new doc yet, ask your prior doc

Question 5

my cough variant asthma always flares up when i come down with a cold. so, is it safe for me to combine otc cold meds with albuterol and pulmicort?

Accepted Answer

Use as directed: I assume you normally use pulmocort as a maintenance med and albbuterol as rescue--when you have a cold/flare up, use of albuterol may need to be increased for a short time. Otc cold meds can be used as directed in combo with your medications, but if symptoms not better or worsen after 3-5 days, i suggest consulting doc for eval/additional treatment etc... Good luck.

Question 6

do i need a prescription to buy sterile saline for a nebulizer?  will it work to break up chest congestion? cough, not wheezing-don't need albuterol.

Accepted Answer

Not really: Well, looks like you've got the albuterol in case you need it.  Keep in mind that sometimes the body's response to inflammed airways is a cough, so albuterol may help that as well.
Sterile saline is available at any corner drug store, wal-mart, target, etc.  In fact, many wound washes you find in the first-aid section are just sterile saline.  Just read the bottle.  Good luck, and see your doctor!

Question 7

asthma attack. saw doc today. she put me on pulmacourt prednisone, albuterol singulair (montelukast) amoxicilline otc cold and flo nase. getting worse after hr now ?

Accepted Answer

If you have peak: flow meter, and it is less than green zone after you have done all these treatments as prescribed, then you need to go to ER.  You likely have been maximized on medications outside of the hospital at this point.  You may need more aggressive treatments, including nebs, racemic epi or magnesium and IV meds.  Please go to ER ASAP.

Question 8

is it safe to take otc robitussin (guaifenesin) cough + chest congestion dm & an albuterol nebulizer treatment 2 hours apart? i am sick with a terrible deep cough

Accepted Answer

Yes, should be okay: Yes, it should be fine.  No known interactions between these.  If still concerned, talk to your medical provider.

Question 9

do i have the flu or walking pneumonia? i been coughing/phlegm and sneezing/wheezing. headaches/coughing. i use my albuterol inhaler/otc meds. help me

Accepted Answer

Would need an exam..: To answer your question an exam and more history would be needed. At the very least it sounds like you have a viral URI or allergies. If you are requiring your albuterol more than every 4-6 hours or the symptoms are persisting or getting worse at all, make an appointment to be seen or a consult appointment here on healthtap to better determine if an in person doctor visit is needed.

Question 10

is it ok to continue taking metformin even if i don't have polycystic ovaries anymore? is it true it counters the effect of otc pills (weight gain)

Accepted Answer

Yes: If you have Insulin resistance or even diabetes metformin is fine to take.  Some people have lost weight on metformin, perhaps due to GI side effects.  I haven't heard that it can interfere with diet pills but those can be dangerous on their own.

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Doctor answers about:

Can you buy albuterol over the counter

A member asked:

Son is 10 got a cold now has heavy cough he did a breathing treatment with albuterol what over counter med can i buy for him ?

A member asked:

Will liquid albuterol help my sinus infection? i've been taking amoxicillin i was prescribed at the er but couldn't afford the other medication. nothing over-the-counter is helping! please help i have a horrible cough and so much pressure in my head still

A member asked:

My proair albuterol inhaler just reached zero on the dose counter. there is medicine left, can i still use it?

A member asked:

Is there anything otc that has similar uses to albuterol?

A member asked:

My cough variant asthma always flares up when i come down with a cold. so, is it safe for me to combine otc cold meds with albuterol and pulmicort?

A member asked:

Do i need a prescription to buy sterile saline for a nebulizer? will it work to break up chest congestion? cough, not wheezing-don't need albuterol.

A member asked:

Asthma attack. saw doc today. she put me on pulmacourt prednisone, albuterol singulair (montelukast) amoxicilline otc cold and flo nase. getting worse after hr now ?

A member asked:

Is it safe to take otc robitussin (guaifenesin) cough + chest congestion dm & an albuterol nebulizer treatment 2 hours apart? i am sick with a terrible deep cough

A member asked:

Do i have the flu or walking pneumonia? i been coughing/phlegm and sneezing/wheezing. headaches/coughing. i use my albuterol inhaler/otc meds. help me

A member asked:

Is it ok to continue taking metformin even if i don't have polycystic ovaries anymore? is it true it counters the effect of otc pills (weight gain)

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