While in India a pulmonologist at a good hospital diagnosed me with allergies and asthma (spiro something test before and after a med). I suddenly had developed wheezing and coughing after exposure to some toxic paint plus for a couple of years when I climb stairs I am short of breath. He said to take meds for a month at one dose and for another month at a half dose and to thereafter see another pulmonologist.
He prescribed three meds, one ('Nasonex') that was already taking based on an ENT's recommendation. I am able to find that one easily in many countries where I travel.
However the other two, when I go into pharmacies in Asia other than India, they always say 'We don't have that'. OK, I just want something equivalent, in the same drug group that does the job. I have the technical details but it would be easier if I could just say 'look up drug class X in the Pharmacy Index and sell me whatever will do the same job' Or 'Sell me instead A, B, or C'. What rose would be a good strategy?
I am in Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, etc.
The drugs are ...
1. 'Xyzal' = levoceterizine dihydrochloride 5mg
+ montelukast 10 mg
Purpose: antihistamine?
2. 'Foricot 100' = inhaler combination of budesonide 100 mcg
+ Formoterol Fumarate 6 mcg
FF is a corticosteroid I think, and B is a long acting beta2-adore ethic agonist
Try explaining those when you don't speak the local language!
The inhaler is the most difficult as there are many to choose from but I have no idea which to buy.
By the way, while taking these meds my symptoms are much better. But both my GP and another health practitioner in India suggested that 'one doesn't develop asthma overnight ' I trust the specialist better, so in two weeks I will make an appointment with a pulmonologist.