Alert: FDA Advises Patients to Switch to HFA-Propelled Albuterol Inhalers Now

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is encouraging asthma patients to speak with their physicians and health care providers about the “switch” to HFA-propelled rescue inhalers (albuterol).  These environmentally friendly inhalers will replace the old CFC propelled inhalers that are harmful to the ozone layer. 

The FDA is encouraging patients to talk to their health care providers now about switching to HFA-propelled inhalers.  The new inhaler may give some patients a perception of a softer mist as compared to the old CFC inhalers.  The medication (albuterol) is exactly the same, and has not changed. 

The phase-out of CFC-propelled inhalers is the result of an international environmental treaty: the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the U.S. FDA mandated these inhalers been phased out by the end of 2008.

Again, many patients have already been transitioned to the new propellant in their rescue inhalers and may not have even noticed the change. Talk with your provider or asthma specialist to learn more about asthma triggers and optimal control.

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 as medical advice to any reader or intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.

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.

The ozone layer shields the planet from harmful ultraviolet radiation.