Guest Author - Amy Anaruk
Edited for clarity/corrections on September 20, 2007.
There's a big change underway for albuterol MDI users. Because of the far-reaching Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, CFC-based albuterol inhalers will no longer be produced or sold past December 31, 2008.
Inhalers currently use cholorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, to turn the liquid medicine inside the canister into propelled mist. Unfortunately, CFCs damage the ozone layer, so drug manufacturers are starting to make inhalers that use hydrofluoroalkane, or HFA, to propel the medicine instead.
What does the switch mean for asthma patients?
First, you may already have problems refilling prescriptions at your local pharmacies even though December 2008 may seem a long way off. The transition will not happen all at once. As drug companies stop making inhalers with the old formulation, supplies in warehouses and pharmacies will dwindle in order to meet the 2008 deadline.
The second piece of information you need is that while the active ingredient, albuterol sulfate, will not change, the rest of your inhaler will. While the canister may look similar to your old albuterol MDI, it is very different inside because of the new delivery method. In fact, unlike with the old inhalers, each of the 3 new albuterol MDI's and the new levelalbuterol one have a different formulation.
Because of all these changes, the best way to make the transition to an HFA inhaler is with your doctor's help. Your physician's office can train you in the correct method of both using and cleaning/maintaining your new inhaler to ensure good performance. The first time you use an HFA inhaler, you will notice a slight difference in the delivery of the dosage. The mist comes out slower and less forceful than in the traditional style of inhaler, so you may need to practice or even start using a spacer. You will also notice a change in taste, but remember the propellant is changing, not the actual medicine.
Last, be aware that HFA inhalers are more expensive than the ones you're used to, even with health insurance. The higher price is a result of the new formulation--no generic options are available yet. Current prices for generic CFC inhalers range from $5 to $25, depending on the medicine. HFA inhalers are all brand name and all cost between $30 and $60. While prices should come down when generic versions become available, you should research financial assistance options now if you have no insurance or need help with higher co-pays.
If you need help affording the new HFA inhalers, please see the following:
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Bridges to Access (Assistance program from GlaxoSmithKline, makers of Flovent)
Coupons for Free and $15 Off ProAir HFA Inhaler (albuterol)
Coupons for Free and $15 Off 2 Proventil HFA inhalers (albuterol)
As I find more online coupons, I will post the links in the forum and in the Asthma Newsletter. For more information about the transition from CFC inhalers to HFA ones, please see the American Lung Association and Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) links below.
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"Smile, breathe and go slowly." -Thich Nhat Hanh
This article is not written by a medical professional, and information on this page should never be substituted for your physician's advice. If you have any questions about your asthma and/or allergies, you should always contact your physician first.
