Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month: Switch to HFA Inhalers

Thursday, May 29, 2008

JC Jones MA RN

Every asthmatic has an inhaler - but did you know that beginning January 1, 2009 it will no longer be legal to manufacture or sell CFC inhalers in the US? CFC's are chlorofluorocarbons propellants that have been used in MDI's (metered-dose inhalers) for years. Pursuant to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer 1987 Treaty, it was agreed that CFC inhalers would be phased out. The production and consumption of CFCs in the United States was banned as of January 1, 1996. Drug manufacturers are now required to manufacture inhalers with hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellants.

All patients should be switched to HFA inhalers. Check your inhalers, your child's inhalers and look for HFA on the the label. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist if they have not switched you over already.

Labels: asthma, HFA, MDI

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