About Allergies: New Version of Primatene Mist Inhaler Rejected by the FDA

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Allergies Allergies Symptoms / Diagnosis Treatment Coping From Daniel More, MD Primatene Mist CFC Inhaler was an over-the-counter (OTC) inhaler used for the treatment of immediate asthma symptoms, but was removed from the market in late 2011 because the harmful effects of its propellant on the environment. Since that time, the only available OTC asthma medications were Primatene in tablet form and Asthmanefrin in nebulized solution form. All prescription asthma inhalers were required to switch to a different propellant, called hydrofluoroalkane (HFA), which doesn't have harmful effects on the environment. What is Primatene Mist? Primatene Mist HFA OTC was recently submitted for FDA approval, but subcommittees on OTC Products and Allergy/Pulmonary Drugs rejected this proposal. The reasons cited for the rejection included the lack of a dose counter, frequent clogging of the inhaler, and the fact that inhaled epinephrine is not routinely recommended for the treatment of acute asthma symptoms. What are HFA Inhalers? Many people with asthma have noticed a change in their albuterol inhaler recently – the old, white generic CFC (chlorofluorocarbon)-propellant albuterol inhalers have been replaced by brand-name HFA-propellant albuterol inhalers. While this change is in the interest of the environment and preservation of the earth’s ozone layer, many asthmatics are less than thrilled about the change. First, since there are no generic HFA albuterol inhalers, the cost is dramatically higher than before. Second, many of my patients have told me that they feel that the new inhalers don’t work as well – often because the spray isn’t as forceful from the HFA inhalers – and therefore the medication doesn’t seem to get into the lungs as well. Search Related Topics:  asthma treatments  albuterol  xopenex Which Brand of Albuterol Inhaler is Best? Albuterol is an inhaled medication used for the immediate treatment of the symptoms of asthma –- coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Albuterol works by relaxing the smooth muscles of the lungs, typically within a few minutes of taking the medication. Therefore, it is often referred to as a “rescue” medicine for the treatment of asthma. There are three brands of albuterol available: ProAir, Ventolin and Proventil. When the propellant used in albuterol was changed from chloroflourocarbon (CFC) to hydroflouroalkane (HFA), generic versions of albuterol became unavailable. Search Related Topics:  asthma symptoms  asthma diagnosis  asthma treatment Related Searches Symptoms Allergies Allergies Asthma Allergies Children Asthma Treatment Allergies Allergies Featured Articles Insect Allergies Anaphylaxis Allergy Shots and Drops (Immunotherapy) Alternative Therapies in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergies Glossary of Terms Information on the Most Common Allergy Medications   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...> This newsletter is written by: Daniel More, MD Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Allergies newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2014 About.com   Must Reads What are Allergies? Symptoms of Allergies Diagnosis of Allergies Treatment of Allergies Preventing Allergies   Follow me on: Advertisement