Saturday, October 18, 2008

Asthma Inhalers Switch From CFC To HFA After 12-31-2008

Although we like the chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) inhalers better, they destroy atmospheric ozone that protects us from the negative effects of ultra violet radiation. Our president informs us that asthmatics should also be careful because the propellent in the hydrofluoroalkanes (HFA) is ethanol-based and, in his experience, can irritate faster than the CFC inhaler.

In accordance with an FDA Final Rule and under the authority of the Clean Air Act of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, no CFC-propelled albuterol inhalers can be produced, marketed, or sold in the United States after December 31, 2008. How depressing. It is estimated that these inhalers destroy less than 1% of atmospheric ozone.

The spray from the HFA inhaler tastes and feels different than the spray from the CFC-propelled albuterol inhalers (albuterol is the medication). The spray from an HFA inhaler is also less forceful than the CFC inhalers. Whereas the CFC relief is virtually instant, the HFA seems to take about 30 seconds. MORE. Source: U.S. FDA Consumer Health Information



FDA's Web Page on Eliminating Ozone depleting Substances from Metered-Dose Inhalers

No comments: