WASHINGTON, April 13 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says some inhalers used by asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients are being phased out.
The FDA said seven metered-dose inhalers that contain ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons will be gradually removed from the U.S. marketplace. Alternative medications that do not contain the ozone-destroying chemicals are available, the federal agency said.
The affected products and their phase out schedule are:
-- Tilade Inhaler (nedocromil), made by King Pharmaceuticals. Last date for sale: June 14.
-- Alupent Inhalation Aerosol (metaproterenol), made by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals. Last date for sale: June 14.
-- Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol (triamcinolone), made by Abbott Laboratories. Last date for sale: Dec. 31.
-- Intal Inhaler (cromolyn), made by King Pharmaceuticals. Last date for sale: Dec. 31.
-- Aerobid Inhaler System (flunisolide), made by Forest Laboratories. Last date for sale: June 30.
-- Combivent Inhalation Aerosol (albuterol and ipratropium in combination), made by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals. Last date for sale: Dec. 31, 2013
-- Maxair Autohaler (pirbuterol), made by Graceway Pharmaceuticals. Last date for sale: Dec. 31, 2013.
Patients using the inhalers scheduled to be phased out should talk to their health care professional about switching to one of several alternative treatments currently available, the FDA said.
