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Asthma sufferers making switch to green
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| Discontinuation of albuterol inhalers ordered by FDA and replacement with ozone-friendly propellants in being made mandatory. |
By KIMBERLY POORE
In May asthma sufferers were instructed to stop using ozone-depleting propellants, known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), in albuterol inhalers and replacing them with ozone-friendly propellants known as hydrofluoroalkane (HFAs) by the end of 2008.
“Albuterol asthma inhaler users are going green in the U.S. with FDA-mandated product transition by year-end,” said a spokesperson for GCI Health. “Up to 40 percent of the 20 million U.S. patients using these inhalers have not yet made the required switch.”
Since the requirement has not been widely reported many patients are unaware or unsure of how the change will affect them.
According to the Food and Drug administration, HFA-propelled albuterol inhalers may taste and feel different than the CFC-propelled albuterol inhalers. The spray of an HFA-propelled albuterol inhaler may feel softer than that of a CFC-propelled albuterol inhaler. Patients must also prime and clean HFA-propelled albuterol inhalers. Doing so prevents buildup of the drug in the inhalation device, and buildup can block the medicine from reaching the lungs.
Patients need to understand the differences in inhaler cleaning and cost as they switch to the new products.
“Albuterol metered dose inhalers (MDIs) are among the most widely used treatments for asthma, GCI Health said. “About 52 million albuterol prescriptions are filled annually In the United States, making it the seventh most commonly prescribed medication.”
The U.S.D.A. and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have set December 31, 2008, as the deadline for phasing out ozone-depleting propellants.
Elimination of CFC use in albuterol metered dose inhalers (MDIs) is one of numerous initiatives that is part of the overall phase-out of CFCs in the United States by the end of 2008, as required by U.S. Clean Air Act. It is estimated that the removal of CFC-containing albuterol MDIs will reduce atmospheric emissions of ozone-depleting substances by 1,200 metric tons annually.
For more information on the removal of CFC’s visit the F.D.A. website at http://www.fda.gov/cder/mdi/albuterol.htm.
“Albuterol asthma inhaler users are going green in the U.S. with FDA-mandated product transition by year-end,” said a spokesperson for GCI Health. “Up to 40 percent of the 20 million U.S. patients using these inhalers have not yet made the required switch.”
Since the requirement has not been widely reported many patients are unaware or unsure of how the change will affect them.
According to the Food and Drug administration, HFA-propelled albuterol inhalers may taste and feel different than the CFC-propelled albuterol inhalers. The spray of an HFA-propelled albuterol inhaler may feel softer than that of a CFC-propelled albuterol inhaler. Patients must also prime and clean HFA-propelled albuterol inhalers. Doing so prevents buildup of the drug in the inhalation device, and buildup can block the medicine from reaching the lungs.
Patients need to understand the differences in inhaler cleaning and cost as they switch to the new products.
“Albuterol metered dose inhalers (MDIs) are among the most widely used treatments for asthma, GCI Health said. “About 52 million albuterol prescriptions are filled annually In the United States, making it the seventh most commonly prescribed medication.”
The U.S.D.A. and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have set December 31, 2008, as the deadline for phasing out ozone-depleting propellants.
Elimination of CFC use in albuterol metered dose inhalers (MDIs) is one of numerous initiatives that is part of the overall phase-out of CFCs in the United States by the end of 2008, as required by U.S. Clean Air Act. It is estimated that the removal of CFC-containing albuterol MDIs will reduce atmospheric emissions of ozone-depleting substances by 1,200 metric tons annually.
For more information on the removal of CFC’s visit the F.D.A. website at http://www.fda.gov/cder/mdi/albuterol.htm.
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