On May 30, 2008, the FDA issued a public health advisory alerting patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals to important information about albuterol inhalers that are used to treat bronchospasm (wheezing) in patients with obstructive airways disease, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Albuterol inhalers that use CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) are being phased out and will no longer be available after Devember 31, 2008. Patients who now use albuterol inhalers containing CFCs will need to transition to alternative albuterol inhalers which contain a propellant called hydrofluoralkane (HFA).

There are currently three approved HFA propelled albuterol inhalers:

• ProAir HFA Inhalation Aerosol
• Proventil HFA Inhalation Aerosol
• Ventolin HFA Inhalation Aerosol

In addition, an HFA-propelled inhaler containing levalbuterol, an enantiomer of albuterol, is available as Xopenex HFA Inhalation Aerosol. Albuterol HFA inhalers are used in the same way as albuterol CFC inhalers and give the same dose of albuterol as the CFC inhalers.

To read the entire letter from the FDA Division of Drug Information please click here.

FDA Public Health Advisory National Transition from Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Propelled Albuterol Inhalers to Hydrofluroalkane (HFA) Propelled Albuterol Inhalers