FDA Advisory to switch to HFA propelled quick-relief (bronchodilator) asthma inhalers

Just a brief note to remind all individuals and/or family members with asthma that the US FDA requires that CFC based quick relief bronchodilator inhalers be removed from the US market by year end.  If you are currently using a CFC inhaler you will need to transition prior to the ban to more environmentally friendly HFA quick relief inhalers.  Bottom line: the asthma medication, a rescue bronchodilator, is exactly the same and is not changing, only the propellant that pushes the medication out of the canister inhaler when you inhale will be different.

Many of my patients, in fact, probably almost all of them have already made the switch to HFA.  Go to www.fda.gov/cder/mdi/albuterol.htm for more detailed information about this.

Make it an opportunity to review a day to day asthma action plan with your provider or asthma specialist.

Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and on the faculty of NYU School of Medicine.  He is the current vice chair for public education committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.  No information in this blog is intended to diagnose or treat any condition.