Asthma patients have used albuterol metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) for more than 25 years. Also called "quick-relief" or "rescue" inhalers, these have traditionally used chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to "propel" albuterol into the lungs.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now mandated that these CFC-based quick-relief inhalers be removed from the market by 2009. Patients currently using CFC inhalers will need to transition prior to the ban date to environmentally-friendly hydrofluoroalkane-based (HFA) quick-relief inhalers.

The medicine in your quick-relief asthma inhaler is staying the same, but the chemical used to "propel" the medicine out of the inhaler is changing.

Your current inhaler may use CFCs, which are harmful to the Earth's ozone layer. The government is requiring all inhalers to use HFA as a safe, effective, and environmentally-friendly alternative.

It is important to speak to your doctor as soon as possible about making the transition to an HFA-propelled asthma inhaler.

The Reasons Why Inhalers Will Be Changing

It wouldn't seem that the small amount of CFCs in a typical quick-relief asthma inhaler could pose a threat to the environment, but scientists remind us that these CFCs are exhaled intact into the atmosphere and make their way to the stratosphere, where ultraviolet light breaks them down and causes ozone depletion.

Why Should I Transition?

The transition to HFA-propelled inhalers is a necessary step to protect the environment. Transitions from CFC to HFA quick-relief albuterol inhalers have already been successfully completed around the world, including Europe, Canada, Australia, and Japan.

There are a number of reasons why now is a good time to make this transition:

• CFC-based inhalers are harmful to the environment.
• CFC quick-relief albuterol inhalers will not be available after December 31, 2008.
• HFA quick-relief albuterol inhalers are currently available and are the same medicine as the CFC-based version.
• During this transition, manufacturers will gradually reduce their supply of CFC-based quick-relief asthma inhalers and increase supplies of HFA-based quick-relief inhalers.
• Currently, HFA quick-relief albuterol inhaler manufacturers have programs for patients who need financial assistance to make the transition successfully.
• Making the transition to an HFA-based quick-relief albuterol inhaler is a good opportunity to review your overall asthma management plan with your doctor.

What to Expect From Your HFA Inhaler

Even though your inhaler is changing, the medicine inside is not. HFA quick-relief albuterol inhalers are FDA-approved and are equally as safe and effective as your current CFC quick-relief albuterol inhaler.

While the albuterol inside the HFA inhaler is the same as in the CFC inhaler, there are some differences between the two (such as taste and spray force) and you should anticipate this as you transition. For example, the sensation of the HFA spray will be less forceful than what you may be accustomed to with the CFC inhaler. Additionally, HFA inhalers have specific cleaning instructions that can be found within the information provided with the product or by asking your doctor.

Patients with CFC quick-relief albuterol inhalers should speak with their doctor as soon as possible to transition to one of the available HFA quick-relief asthma inhalers.