Check Albuterol Inhalers Now

More than 20 million Americans, including those who use metered-dose inhalers for their asthma, will be affected as the Food and Drug Administration changes a significant policy beginning at the end of 2008.  It will phase out medical products that contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

So, if you are one of those to be affected, why should you care now about 2008?

Because companies that make CFC chemicals are shutting down production as required by the Montreal Protocol. As the supply of CFC chemicals dwindles, pharmaceutical companies are phasing out or discontinuing inhalers containing CFCs while ramping up supplies of inhalers that use hydrofluoroalkanes (HFAs). Albuterol CFC inhalers are the first to have a phase-out deadline. And you don’t want to be caught without a new prescription in hand, or in your pharmacist’s computer.

 Here are the answers to some other questions:

• How do you know if what you already have contains HFAs?  Look at your metered dose inhaler. If it says HFA anywhere on the label, that’s good.

• Why is the FDA doing this? Because while metered-dose inhalers don’t present a direct threat to your health, they contain CFCs that eat away at the Earth’s ozone layer and lead to increased ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth’s surface.  Because increased UV rays are linked to skin cancer, cataracts, suppressed immune systems, and other health problems, CFCs indirectly can contribute to these conditions.

• Will I be getting the same medicine? Yes, but the chemical used to “propel” the medicine out of the inhaler is changing.

So now is the time to speak to you allergist about transitioning to the new medication. While you are having this conversation, it’s a good time to talk to your allergist about transitioning from any other CFC-containing inhalers you’re using, too.

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