I have just seen a patient who is using one Duovent inhaler a week. This
means about thirty puffs a day. He has done so for many years and has been
removed from one Doctors list because of this.
His excuses for not attending local Chest Clinics and the Brompton range
from the good, e.g. being in prison, to the not so good, e.g. never
recieved a letter, however he has failed to attend any follow up. He has
been admitted to hospital suffering asthma attacks on at least two
ocasions. He uses Budesonide at a reasonable rate. He always has normal
peak flows in the surgery. Inhaler technique is excellent (all that
practice I suppose).
Obviously something is going on.
Does anyone know what? I find it difficult to imagine Duovent is a drug of
abuse or has any value on the black market. What should I do? Has anyone
else seen a patient like this?
Stephen Parkinson
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