 Poster: A snowHead
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When skiing I always suffer from a runny nose due to the cold. About 15 years ago I started using Atrovent nasal spray (active ingredient ipratropium bromide) and it worked like magic. Unfortuneately it has been discontinued in Australia, and the only other product with ipratropium bromide contains another active ingredient which shouldn't be used for more than three or four days in a row.
A bit of googling suggests Rinaspray or Rinatec is the equivalent product in the UK, but that it also may have been discontinued.
Does anyone else use this product, and have any info if it is just Australia where it has been discontinued? Sanofi was the manufacturer.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@rdk, I'm a pharmacist in the UK, but work in a doctor's practice. My computer says Rinaspray is still available, but I do not know the stock situation in a community pharmacy as it's been a while since I worked in one. It is a prescription only medicine.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@rdk, not being obvious* but have you asked your doctor?
* being totally obvious 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Hells Bells wrote: |
| @rdk, I'm a pharmacist in the UK, but work in a doctor's practice. My computer says Rinaspray is still available, but I do not know the stock situation in a community pharmacy as it's been a while since I worked in one. It is a prescription only medicine. |
Community Pharmacist here.... Out of stock currently - like everything else these days! 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thanks for the replies - in Australia it was OTC medication. The pharmacist I go to said he has no idea why it has been dioscontinued but has had lots of people asking for it. I have a doctors appointment in a month for a checkup so I'll ask then. The drug seems to exist in inhaler form for asthma, but it was the nasal spray I used.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@joe1978, thanks, thought it probably would be.
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@tangowaggon, I first read about ipratropium bromide in New Scientist fifteen or so years ago. The article said it stopped runny noses dead, had no side effects and could be used for at least ski holiday length of time with no issues. In Australia only Atrovent was "pure" ipratropium bromide and it worked a treat. My nose was like yours, so I used it all the time.
There is a product here Otrivin Plus that contains xylometazoline hydrochloride and ipratropium bromide, but the first drug shouldn't be used continuously so I only use it for a day or two at a time.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| joe1978 wrote: |
Community Pharmacist here.... Out of stock currently - like everything else these days! |
Sorry if this is a dumb question from a non-UK dweller, but what exactly is a "community Pharmacist"? Is this just an ordinary Pharmacy/Chemists shop, and why is "everything else" out of stock?
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| Chaletbeauroc wrote: |
| joe1978 wrote: |
Community Pharmacist here.... Out of stock currently - like everything else these days! |
Sorry if this is a dumb question from a non-UK dweller, but what exactly is a "community Pharmacist"? Is this just an ordinary Pharmacy/Chemists shop, and why is "everything else" out of stock? |
Quick summary - All Phamacists come out of higher education the same then enter different specialities or move between them through their career
Community Pharamcist - The one most familiar, gives out medicaction, flu jabs and healthcare advice without appointment etc
Hospital Pharmacist - Works in hospital checking admission/discharge/ward rounds etc
Practice Pharmacist - GP practice based supporting them with reviews and prescribing decisions etc
Industrial Pharmacist - makes stuff in big labs doesn't see patients.
There are multiple other roles but these are the main ones.
Drug Shortages are a nightmare and the root cause stated varies depending in who has the vested interest! Brexit, Ukraine, manufacturing plant failures, spiralling unreimursable cost that makes wholesale pointless. Regardless its a huge issue for #1 and #3 above to try and keep the ship running smoothly!
eg. Drug A is widely used by a massive population but supplies fail for whatever reason, Pharmacists nationwide say "Drug B is very similar not used as much can the Dr change the patient to it" Then Drug B goes out of stock as manufacturer doesn't have a crystal ball and repeat to fade.
Of course I'm removing all my cynacism regarding the manipulation of a not fit for purpose medication supply model in the UK which is as complex as you can possibly imagine!
Joe
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