asthma inhalers | Asthma attack - Symptoms and causes

Inhalers for asthma

 

Many parents of children with asthma may already have heard about this abbreviated alphabet soup - CFC, MDI, HFA and ODS.

All are related to a change in the type of metered dose inhalers (MDI) made to help reduce the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to the atmosphere when taking certain asthma medications. Until recently, most MDIs in the United States, such as albuterol inhalers included in CFCs - the chemicals that drive medicine from an inhaler to the lungs. But CFCs are ozone depleting substances (ODS) that harm the environment.

Manufacturers are now making CFC-free inhalers, also known as hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) inhalers that do not harm the ozone atmosphere.

"The FDA [Food and Drug Administration] and several manufacturers report that the transition to albuterol HFA occurs at a substantial rate," says Pamela Wexler, counselor for the U.S. Stakeholders Group in the MDI transition. This group consists of nine medical societies and leading patient associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Lung Association. "The calculations [near the beginning of 2007] indicate that as much as 50 percent of the prescriptions are now supplied with HFA."
What parents should know
What is happening?

    Metered-dose inhalers (MDI) contain ozone-depleting substances, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and are being phased out.
    All patients who use an MDI containing CFC should eventually switch to other products.
    The FDA has set an elimination date for albuterol CFC by December 31, 2009.
    CFC-free MDIs are safe and effective. Every two developed countries are switching to drugs that are not CFC MDI without harm to patients.

What can patients do now?
    Switch to CFC-free medications now that they are available.
    Use this transition as an opportunity to talk with your health care providers about your asthma management plan.
    Talk to your health care provider about CFC-free medications and alternatives that are not MDI.
    Talk to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, respiratory therapist or other health care provider when you receive a new inhaler to make sure you and your child know how to use and maintain it correctly.
    Check with your insurance provider to see if the CFC-free inhaler is covered and if not, ask them to cover it.
    Investigate ways you can receive free and discounted medications if you can not afford your medication.

How will the new inhalers work?
    CFC-free products can be seen, tasted and felt a bit different, but the FDA has found that the products are comparable in safety and efficacy to current products. MDIs that are not CFCs are used around the world and have been found to be safe and effective, without any adverse effects for patients.

What happens if I can not pay for my medications?
    New CFC-free MDIs can be more expensive than CFC-containing products that they replace. Pharmaceutical companies are committed to ensuring that no patients are denied access to drugs because they have stopped using CFCs.
    There are many patient assistance programs to help people who can not afford their medications. Some programs provide drugs at no cost, but have different eligibility requirements based on income. For patients who do not meet the eligibility requirements for those free medications, but still need assistance, there are several programs that provide discounted drugs.