Inhaler Update: Do You Need to Make a Change?
If you have asthma, your metered dose inhaler (or MDI) is practically an accessory. But, like old cell phones or MP3 players, it's time for the inhaler to get an upgrade.
As of Dec. 31, 2008, people who use albuterol inhalers will need to switch to a new type of inhaler. The medicine in the new inhalers is the same. What's different is how that medicine comes out of the inhaler.
Some people already have the new type of inhaler. To check, just look at your inhaler. If you see the letters "HFA" on the side, or if the inhaler says, "no CFCs" (or shows the letters "CFCs" inside a circle with the slash through it), that means you have the new kind. If so, there's no need to make a change.
But what if you're not sure, or you don't see these letters on your inhaler? Talk to your doctor as soon as possible because you'll need a prescription for a new HFA inhaler. You can't just take your old inhaler to the pharmacy for an exchange or a refill. So plan ahead and call your doctor's office now.
Why the Change?
It's all about protecting the Earth. The old inhalers contain something called chlorofluorocarbons (also called CFCs), which are a type of propellant. CFC propellants literally propel, or push out, a puff of the medicine in the inhaler.
CFCs won't hurt your lungs. But they can erode the Earth's ozone layer — the protective layer high above the Earth's atmosphere that shields us from the sun's damaging rays.
The new albuterol metered dose inhalers will do the exact same thing as the old ones. But instead of using environmentally harmful CFCs they'll contain hydrofluoroalkanes (or HFAs), which have no effect on the ozone. You'll use your new inhaler the same way you used the old one — it's just as safe and effective.
Just like the old inhalers, the new inhalers still contain a kind of "rescue medication." They work right away to open up a person's airways and relieve asthma symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and trouble breathing.
What Does This Mean for Me?
The new type of inhaler will do exactly what your old inhaler did — and be better for the environment. But there are some differences you'll want to know about so they don't catch you by surprise. Here are the details from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
- The stuff that you puff from the new inhalers may not taste quite the same — not that you really savored the flavor of your old one anyway!
- The medicine in the new inhalers comes out as a fine mist so it will feel a little softer than you might be used to. Your new inhaler may feel different, but you're getting exactly the same amount of medicine – and relief from your symptoms — as before. Getting the right dose of medicine is all about taking a good, deep breath with each puff, not how strong the spray is.
- Because the new HFA inhalers are different, you'll need to read the instructions that come with your new inhaler and ask your doctor to go over exactly how to use, clean, dry, and prime it. (Priming is when you spray a few doses into the air before putting the inhaler in your mouth the first time you use it.) Cleaning is particularly important with the new inhalers — if you don't clean the new ones the right way, the medication could get clogged inside.
- There are three different kinds of approved albuterol "HFA Inhalation Aerosol" available now, plus one made with the medication Xopenex (which works the same way).
- The new inhalers tend to cost more (each inhaler costs about $30 to $60), and they're not yet available as generic brands. Talk to your doctor or your health insurance provider about whether you'll see a difference in how much you pay or if the insurance company will cover the cost. If there's a big difference, your mom or dad can find out if the company that makes your new inhaler offers a patient assistance program that's free or low cost. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance has information on getting help.
As you use your new inhaler, it's good to remind yourself that albuterol inhalers are only a rescue medication. In other words, they offer fast relief when you have asthma symptoms or help prevent you from developing symptoms when you're exposed to triggers (like before being around pets or before exercising). If you find you're using your inhaler every day, ask your doctor about better ways of getting your asthma under control.
Before you know it, you'll forget what that old inhaler was like — and you'll be helping create a healthier planet as well as a healthier you!
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: November 2008
Delicious