Asthma Rescue Inhaler Update
Many patients with asthma have had trouble getting their generic albuterol inhalers filled lately. The propellant of the generic
albuterol is chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and all CFC-containing albuterol inhalers in the United States must be withdrawn by the
end of 2008. Replacing them are albuterol HFA products. The HFA propellant does not damage the ozone like CFC’s do.
Further, the HFA is a better propellant; it places in albuterol into solution, rather than suspension like CFC’s. Better dissolved,
the albuterol can penetrate into deeper parts of the lung, allowing for better dilatation of the breathing tubes. Since no HFA
albuterol is generic, they are more expensive to buy; however, the ProAir HFA brand has a $15 discount voucher you can print
out at its website, www.proairhfa.com . Temporarily, there is also a link to get a whole prescription of ProAir HFA for free on the
same web site. You’ll still need a prescription from your doctor. HFA’s feel different from CFC inhalers. They’re not as cold, and
they come out at 40 mph instead of 70 mph. That makes it easier to inhale them into the lungs instead of having most of it whack
into the back of your throat. But you have to rinse out your HFA device with running water every few weeks or it may clog up.
Instructions are available online at www.proventilhfa.com . Their site also has a $15 rebate you can print out, and temporarily
also has a transition kit that includes a voucher for a whole prescription of Proventil HFA for free. Some patients really prefer the
old inhalers. For them, I recommend asking their doctors to consider changing them to Maxair Autohaler or Alupent inhaler.
Unlike albuterol, neither of those asthma rescue medications is affected by the 2008 deadline. According to the March 29, 2007 ,
New England Journal of Medicine, they are “subject to withdrawal in the future”. No matter which asthma rescue drug you use, if
you’re using it more than once a week, ask your doctor if you would benefit from an asthma controller inhaler. These wonderful
additions prevent the swelling and inflammation that causes asthma in the first place.
Updated May 2007
Many patients with asthma have had trouble getting their generic albuterol inhalers filled lately. The propellant of the generic
albuterol is chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and all CFC-containing albuterol inhalers in the United States must be withdrawn by the
end of 2008. Replacing them are albuterol HFA products. The HFA propellant does not damage the ozone like CFC’s do.
Further, the HFA is a better propellant; it places in albuterol into solution, rather than suspension like CFC’s. Better dissolved,
the albuterol can penetrate into deeper parts of the lung, allowing for better dilatation of the breathing tubes. Since no HFA
albuterol is generic, they are more expensive to buy; however, the ProAir HFA brand has a $15 discount voucher you can print
out at its website, www.proairhfa.com . Temporarily, there is also a link to get a whole prescription of ProAir HFA for free on the
same web site. You’ll still need a prescription from your doctor. HFA’s feel different from CFC inhalers. They’re not as cold, and
they come out at 40 mph instead of 70 mph. That makes it easier to inhale them into the lungs instead of having most of it whack
into the back of your throat. But you have to rinse out your HFA device with running water every few weeks or it may clog up.
Instructions are available online at www.proventilhfa.com . Their site also has a $15 rebate you can print out, and temporarily
also has a transition kit that includes a voucher for a whole prescription of Proventil HFA for free. Some patients really prefer the
old inhalers. For them, I recommend asking their doctors to consider changing them to Maxair Autohaler or Alupent inhaler.
Unlike albuterol, neither of those asthma rescue medications is affected by the 2008 deadline. According to the March 29, 2007 ,
New England Journal of Medicine, they are “subject to withdrawal in the future”. No matter which asthma rescue drug you use, if
you’re using it more than once a week, ask your doctor if you would benefit from an asthma controller inhaler. These wonderful
additions prevent the swelling and inflammation that causes asthma in the first place.
Updated May 2007
The Allergy Clinic
Specialists in Allergy & Asthma Care
Specialists in Allergy & Asthma Care
