FDA: Switch to HFA-propelled inhaler

WASHINGTON, May 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a public health advisory that chlorofluorocarbon, or CFC-propelled inhalers will not be available next year.

The CFC-propelled inhalers will not be available in the United States after Dec. 31 because the albuterol inhalers are being phased out because. They are harmful to the environment by contributing to depletion of the ozone layer above the Earth's surface, officials at the FDA said in a statement.

Three hydrofluoroalkane, or HFA-propelled, albuterol inhalers have been approved by the FDA: Proair HFA Inhalation Aerosol, Proventil HFA Inhalation Aerosol and Ventolin HFA Inhalation Aerosol. In addition, an HFA-propelled inhaler containing levalbuterol, a medicine similar to albuterol, is available as Xopenex HFA Inhalation Aerosol.

"Concern about the environment stimulated the need to phase out CFCs," Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said in a statement. "The FDA wants to emphasize that HFA-propelled albuterol inhalers are safe and effective replacements for CFC-propelled albuterol inhalers."

Albuterol inhalers are used to treat bronchospasm, or wheezing, in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The FDA is urging patients to talk with their healthcare professionals now about switching to HFA-propelled albuterol inhalers.