Inhalers and the Ozone Layer

Chlorofluorocarbon-propelled albuterol inhalers will no longer be available after December 31, 2008, and will be replaced by hydrofluoroalkane-propelled inhalers.

The Clean Air Act and an international environmental treaty have led to the phaseout of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-propelled inhalers by December 31, 2008. This change will have an enormous effect on the estimated 5 to 10 million U.S. children with asthma. Highlights of the FDA Public Health Advisory and news alert include the following:

CFC inhalers are harmful to the environment because they deplete the ozone layer.
Hydrofluoroalkane (HFA)-propelled albuterol inhalers will replace CFC inhalers, and healthcare professionals should transition patients now.
Three HFA albuterol inhalers are approved by the FDA:

— Proair HFA Inhalation Aerosol

— Proventil HFA Inhalation Aerosol

— Ventolin HFA Inhalation Aerosol

One HFA levalbuterol is approved by the F…

Author

Howard Bauchner, MD

Disclosures

Grant / research supportHuman Resources and Services Administration; NIH; NIH-NHLBI; USDA; GlaxoSmithKline