I realise others may already know the following, but am sending it for those who don't or those who, like me, thought they checked all medication before taking it ... but has just found out she didn't.
The Handi-Halers MUST be replaced about every 12 months: this info is on the manufacturers' broadsheet sized info sheet, but in small print at the very end and I'd never noticed it, or remembered the rehab people mentioning it either. I replaced mine about 10 days ago and the difference in my breathing is amazing - last night I danced to rock n roll for longer than I've been able to for years. Aching a bit today, but it was well worth it!
The second issue is that the manufacturers include a lot of empty capsules in every script: apparently this has been going on for years, at least in Australia; complaints have been made but the situation doesn't improve. I've started saving the empties while I find out what the appropriate Australian authority I should report to: this company is ripping us off via our script fees and the community as a whole via government subsidies on each script. I know of no other medication which has this issue.
I'd be very interested to know if the situation is the same in other counttries; have other people tried to do something about it and what success they had, if any?
Thanks Jude! I didn't realise I needed to replace the Handi-haler (been using mine 2 + yrs). I just thought there were a number of duds in the script each time as when you pierce and go to inhale they don't work.
Two separate issues: I'd been using the handihaler for 3 years without replacing it so it was getting worn out and I wasn't receiving enough of the medication AND there are always several empty capsules in each script.
The two issues are totally unrelated! Apologies if my post wasn't clear, but I really think it was?
Hi Jude
I am a recent user of the product and I also noticed there were a couple that did not actually work, I thought it was just me but now I realise its not, at the price we pay for them in Australia I think it's shocking, in future I will keep the ones that don't work and see who I can get in touch with, thanks for sharing
Jillibean
They're made (or at least distributed) by BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM in NSW: phone 02 8875 8800.
When I get around to finding out how to report them to, I will do so and in the meantime I'm saving all the empty ones. I don't actually pay much bc I have a health care card, but that's not the point: they're doing a ripoff that maybe I can do something about and I can't resist that temptation!
I'll put an update here when I find out who to report to: what do you reckon: Prob Commonwealth Health Dept, that's where I'll start anyway
Hi, I was told by my chemist (UK) to request a new handihaler every 6 months. With regards the empty capsules I read about that somewhere but upto now have not found any.
I don't know why the ones in the UK would need to be replaced every 6 months when the manufacturer's info sheet on the Australian website says 12 months ... unless they're different inhalers? Maybe you could check the manufacturer's info sheet yourself and see what is say in the UK?
I did point out to them on the phone that if it does in fact need replacing every 12 months it wd be in their own best interests to show that info more prominently so we'd buy more of them.
You've been luck to not get any empty capsules, or maybe it's only the Australian manufacturer who's so slack on quality control? It will be interesting to hear from other UK users of the product
Hi my info sheet says it can be used UPTO 12 mnths, it was th chemist that said 6 mnths, being a pensioner I dont pay for medication do cost rall has no bearing.
Thanks for that info: I got my first one included in the first script, not free in Australia for pensioners but around $6: however I had to pay for the second one, which was about $8.
I'll check what my info sheet says next time I get a script made up for the capsules - I'm sure it said 12 months and not up to ....
i have been saying to my copd team about the empty capsuls for a very long time now and they look at you as thow there some thing wrong with you and at one stage i got angry because some one laughted at what i said you can tell when there is no powder in them when you take them but the problem is you cant take another
Hi Jude,
Thanks for the info about replacing the handihalers. I'm in the UK and I am on Spiriva and I have noticed some of the capsules are empty. I didn't even realise at first until I saw a message that mentioned empty capsules and it clicked that this is what was going on. Next time I see my COPD nurse I will mention it and find out if other patients have had the same problem.
Take care, Linda
Why can't you take another? I always do, after all you didn't get a dose of the medication if the capsule was empty and did that awful thing where you feel as if you're trying to inhale deeply through a brick wall.
That's strange no-one else in your group has noticed it: maybe they're just not as observant as you are? I was warned about the capsules by the physio's in my rehab group, with the suggestion that if enough people complained eventually the situation would improve, which obviously hasn't happened yet.
Stick to what you know to be true: yeah I know there's often a pirce to pay for doing that as I know to my cost, but the more people do it the better place the world will be.
It doesn't matter if you're the only one around who's notice (see cath oli"s response above) - still a good idea to hassle the company I reckon, otherwise what incentive do they have to stop ripping us and the government off?
In this less affluent part of the UK, what is recommended and what you get when doctors are on ludicrously tight budgets are two different things. My handi-haler is at least 6 years old.
Not sure how I would know if a capsule was empty or not without opening it before use - afterwards is inconclusive as it should then be empty anyway. Problem I get now and again is capsules shattering when pierced, thereby preventing them from oscillating, a not uncommon complaint according to a rehab nurse. Why can't one try a 2nd one ? I do, and am still alive. Just.
You do realise that a handi haler that old is probably not working at all and you're getting none of the dose you need to keep your lungs functioning?
I know capsules are empty when it feels as if I'm trying to inhale through a brick wall and nothing is happening.
The capsules may be shattering because the handihaler isn't functioning as it should - can you scrape up enough $ to buy yourslef a new one over the counter? That's what I did and it was around A$8 and DEFINITELY worth it: my breathing has been so much better over the last week I can't believe it.
Please try and get yourself a new one by hook or by crook: it'll be worth it!
All the best ....
In the uk you just need to mention to the doctor that you need a new handihaler and it will be included with the capsules
Yeah I probably could've done that, but it probably still would've cost the $6 or $6.50 prescription fee so I didn't bother: I will check first next time.
I thought the person above who'd had the same one for years and years said she couldn't get another one in her area: isn't the NHS national?
Hi, yes it is national, under 60's pay for prescription unless chronic long term illness. There is no difference in price of prescription whether you just have capsule or a box containing capsules and handihaler
the reson for not taking another as they may have been a small amount of the powder in the capsule so you could be over dosing thats what i was told witch i can understand but alot of people dont take much notice to what they take i have had my breathing problem for 22 years only been on spiriva for last three years dont like it much i wish i never started it and just stuck to my ventolin inhaler
its a shame they dont make see throw capsules so you can see if theres any in or not that would be the salution for me