Why Do I Need a Prescription to Buy a Concentrator?

To purchase an oxygen concentrator, it is essential to obtain a prescription from your healthcare provider that specifies your required oxygen levels. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulates prescription sales, and currently, oxygen concentrators are classified as medical devices that require a prescription. This regulation is in place to ensure that individuals receive the appropriate device that caters to their specific health needs, as a prescription serves as the only concrete evidence of those needs.

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The type of oxygen machine you are prescribed is highly personalized, so while two individuals may be diagnosed with the same respiratory condition, their requirements for supplemental oxygen can vastly differ. A pulse oximetry test and an arterial blood gas test provide crucial health indicators that impact the prescription for supplemental oxygen.

Some patients may only require oxygen therapy during physical activities, while others might need it at night or for several hours each day, regardless of their activity level. Moreover, some patients may need a continuous flow of oxygen, while others benefit from pulse dose delivery. The necessary dosage, duration of use, and specific settings required are determined by your healthcare provider.

Your physician will conduct the necessary tests to ascertain your oxygen requirements. This typically involves blood work for an arterial blood gas (ABG) test to evaluate your blood gas levels, along with the use of a pulse oximeter to monitor your blood oxygen saturation. They will also observe whether your blood oxygen levels significantly fluctuate during exercise or sleep. Following these measurements, your physician can write a prescription that meets your oxygen needs.

Do You Need a Prescription to Buy a POC Video

Choosing the Right Concentrator

Once you receive your prescription, our knowledgeable Oxygen Specialists will assist you in selecting the correct concentrator tailored to your lifestyle and needs. For instance, if you’re prescribed a continuous flow of 3 LPM, that narrows down your options considerably.

Next, we will discuss the frequency of your oxygen usage: Do you need it for eight hours during the day, just a few hours in the morning, while exercising, or solely at night? These factors prescribed by your physician will further refine your choices.

Your prescription serves as a formalized assurance of safety. In critical medical situations, it is vital for those assisting you to know your precise physiological requirements regarding supplemental oxygen. If you plan to fly, it's crucial to inform the airline in advance, as they may require more than just your prescription; additional certification from your doctor might be necessary.

Following your doctor's prescription for oxygen, we encourage you to reach out to us for a complimentary oxygen consultation. We will assess your requirements and recommend a device that suits your lifestyle. Need help obtaining a prescription? Call us at 877-774-.

Updated: March 8,
Published: May 4,

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Life depends on oxygen efficiently moving from our lungs to bodily cells. However, conditions such as asthma, lung cancer, COPD, influenza, and COVID-19 can cause oxygen saturation in the blood to drop below safe levels. In such cases, oxygen therapy may become necessary.

Oxygen concentrators serve as one means to deliver extra oxygen to the body, but they are classified as medical devices and thus require a prescription for purchase and use.

Using an oxygen concentrator without a health care provider's prescription is not advisable. Self-prescribing oxygen therapy may lead to adverse effects, such as taking an improper amount of oxygen. These inaccuracies can lead to serious health complications, including oxygen toxicity caused by excess oxygen exposure or hindering the timely treatment of severe issues like COVID-19.

Although oxygen constitutes approximately 21% of the air we breathe, high concentrations can potentially harm lung tissues. Conversely, insufficient oxygen intake, known as hypoxia, poses risks to vital organs like the heart and brain.

If you suspect you require oxygen therapy, consult your healthcare provider. They will evaluate how much oxygen therapy you need and the duration for which it should be administered.

Key Points About Oxygen Concentrators

Oxygen concentrators function by drawing in ambient air and filtering out nitrogen to provide the necessary higher concentrations of oxygen for therapy.

Different models of oxygen concentrators exist, with some being larger and stationary and others being small and portable. These devices utilize electrical pumps to produce a continuous flow of oxygen from the surrounding air, distinguishing them from oxygen tanks or other traditional oxygen delivery systems.

While oxygen concentrators may be listed for sale online without a prescription, the FDA has yet to endorse any such products for purchase or use without a prescription.

When operating an oxygen concentrator, it's vital to adhere to certain safety standards:

• Avoid using the concentrator near open flames or while smoking.
• Keep the concentrator in a well-ventilated area to prevent overheating and ensure optimal performance.
• Ensure that air vents are unobstructed to maintain device efficiency.
• Regularly check for alarms to confirm sufficient oxygen delivery.

If prescribed an oxygen concentrator and you experience changes in breathing or oxygen saturation levels, or if you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, promptly contact your healthcare provider. Do not modify your oxygen levels independently.

Monitoring Oxygen Levels at Home

Monitoring oxygen levels can be done using a small device called a pulse oximeter or pulse ox.

Pulse oximeters are typically attached to a fingertip and employ beams of light to gauge blood oxygen levels without needing to draw blood samples directly.

Important Information Regarding Pulse Oximeters

As with all devices, inaccuracies in readings can occur. The FDA has issued safety communications informing users and healthcare providers that although pulse oximeters provide valuable estimates of blood oxygen levels, they have limitations and potential inaccuracies that should be taken into account. Factors like poor circulation, skin pigmentation, skin thickness, ambient temperature, and fingernail polish can influence pulse oximeter readings. Note that over-the-counter oximeters sold in stores are not subject to FDA review and are not intended for medical diagnosis.

If you’re using a pulse oximeter at home and are uncertain about the readings, please get in touch with a healthcare provider. It's crucial not to rely solely on these devices; monitoring how you feel and being aware of any symptoms also plays an essential role. Seek professional medical assistance if your symptoms worsen or become severe.

To ensure accurate readings, consider the following recommendations when using a pulse oximeter:

• Adhere to your healthcare provider's guidelines on when and how frequently to check your oxygen levels.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the device's operation.
• Ensure your hand is warm, relaxed, and positioned below heart level when using the oximeter. Remove any fingernail polish from that finger.
• Remain still and avoid any movement while the pulse oximeter is in use.
• Wait a few moments for the reading to stabilize and display a consistent number.
• Document your oxygen levels along with the date and time for tracking and reporting to your healthcare provider.

Familiarize yourself with the signs indicating low oxygen levels:

• Bluish coloring of the face, lips, or nails;
• Shortness of breath, worsened cough, or difficulty breathing;
• Restlessness or discomfort;
• Tightness or pain in the chest;
• Accelerated heart rate;
• Keep in mind that some individuals with low oxygen levels may not exhibit all or any of these symptoms. Proper diagnosis can only be conducted by a healthcare professional capable of identifying conditions like hypoxia.

Reporting Device Issues

If you encounter problems or injuries related to pulse oximeters or oxygen concentrators, you can voluntarily report them through the FDA’s MedWatch program.

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