Long Acting Asthma Medication: FDA Committee Recommendation December 10-11, 2008. Follow this link for more info.
ABCs of HFAs: Understanding Your Quick-Relief Asthma Inhaler
Asthma patients have used albuterol metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) for more than 25 years. Also called “quick-relief” or “rescue” inhalers, these have traditionally used chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to “propel” albuterol into the lungs.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated that these CFC-based quick-relief inhalers be removed from the market by 2009. Patients using CFC inhalers have transitioned to environmentally-friendly hydrofluoroalkane-based (HFA) quick-relief inhalers.
To better understand the HFA inhalers click on the appropriate link below:
Materials Available for Download
All of the information about the HFA Inhalers is also available for download. Many of these brochures are available in Spanish/En Español:
If you would like to order bulk copies of the materials, please click here.
HFA Inhalers – Patient Information
The medicine in your quick-relief asthma inhaler is staying the same, but the chemical used to “propel” the medicine out of the inhaler is changing. Talk to your doctor to transition now.
Your current inhaler may use CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), which are harmful to the Earth’s ozone layer. The government is requiring all inhalers to use HFA (hydrofluoroalkane) as a safe, effective, and environmentally-friendly alternative.
It is important to speak to your doctor as soon as possible about making the transition to an HFA-propelled asthma inhaler.
Download the free patient brochure available in 
English and in Spanish/en Español. More…
To Learn More, Click on a Topic Below.
AAFA is a member of the U.S. Stakeholders Group on MDI Transition
Why is the Transition Happening?
In order to protect the environment, the FDA issued a final mandate in 2005 requiring that CFC albuterol inhalers be entirely removed from the market by December 31, 2008.
It wouldn’t seem that the small amount of CFCs in a typical quick-relief asthma inhaler could pose a threat to the environment, but scientists remind us that these CFCs are exhaled intact into the atmosphere and make their way to the stratosphere, where ultraviolet light breaks them down and causes ozone depletion.
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Why Should I Transition?
The transition to HFA-propelled inhalers is a necessary step to protect the environment. Transitions from CFC to HFA quick-relief albuterol inhalers have already been successfully completed around the world, including Europe, Canada, Australia, and Japan.
There are a number of reasons why now is a good time to make this transition:
- CFC-based inhalers are harmful to the environment.
- CFC quick-relief albuterol inhalers will not be available after December 31, 2008.
- HFA quick-relief albuterol inhalers are currently available and are the same medicine as the CFC-based version.
- During this transition, manufacturers will gradually reduce their supply of CFC-based quick-relief asthma inhalers and increase supplies of HFA-based quick-relief inhalers.
- Currently, HFA quick-relief albuterol inhaler manufacturers have programs for patients who need financial assistance to make the transition successfully.
- Making the transition to an HFA-based quick-relief albuterol inhaler is a good opportunity to review your overall asthma management plan with your doctor
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Questions to Ask Your Physician
When talking to your physician, take a few minutes to ask:
- How can I transition to an HFA inhaler now?
- What should I expect from my HFA inhaler?
- In addition to my quick-relief inhaler, do I need a maintenance medication to manage my asthma?
- Are my strategies for asthma-trigger avoidance up-to-date?
For more information about asthma treatment and prevention click here.
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What to Expect from Your HFA Inhaler
Even though your inhaler is changing, the medicine inside is not. HFA quick-relief albuterol inhalers are FDA-approved and are equally as safe and effective as your current CFC quick-relief albuterol inhaler.
While the albuterol inside the HFA inhaler is the same as in the CFC inhaler, there are some differences between the two (such as taste and spray force) and you should anticipate this as you transition. For example, the sensation of the HFA spray will be less forceful than what you may be accustomed to with the CFC inhaler. Additionally, HFA inhalers have specific cleaning instructions that can be found within the information provided with the product or by asking your doctor.
Patients with CFC quick-relief albuterol inhalers should speak with their doctor as soon as possible to transition to one of the available HFA quick-relief asthma inhalers. See Currently Available HFA Inhalers.
You should know that during this transition period, both CFC and HFA inhalers are on the market. However, because of supply and demand in your area, an HFA inhaler may not be immediately available. Talk to your doctor for more information
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Review Your Asthma Management Plan
Asthma is a condition that requires daily management and focus, so use your next appointment with your doctor to discuss your current asthma treatment plan and ask about transitioning to an HFA quick-relief inhaler.
When you talk to your doctor about transitioning, think about whether you find yourself using your albuterol quick-relief inhaler more than twice a week. If so, your asthma may not be properly controlled and you and your doctor may need to re-evaluate your long-term maintenance plan and the need for other treatments.
Short-acting, quick-relief albuterol works to relax the airway muscles, but doesn’t treat the other aspects of asthma inflammation.
Additionally, the visit with your doctor is a good opportunity to ask about the most up-to-date techniques and strategies for avoiding asthma triggers.
When you do transition to your HFA quick-relief inhaler, please make sure to monitor how your asthma responds and tell your doctor immediately if you think you’re not responding the way you should.
For more information about asthma treatment and prevention click here.
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HFA Inhaler Cost and Assistance Programs
If your patients currently have prescription drug coverage through their employer or through Medicare or Medicaid, they will need to confirm the co-pay that applies to the HFA quick-relief albuterol inhaler. If they self-pay for prescription drug coverage, the cost of HFA quick-relief asthma inhalers may be higher than what they currently pay since there are no generic versions of HFA quick-relief inhalers.
Patients in need of financial assistance should contact The Partnership for Prescription Assistance by calling 1-888-4-PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669) or visit their web site for more information.
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Resources
Patients and physicians needing further information on making the transition to an HFA quick-relief inhaler should contact the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) at 1-800-7-ASTHMA.
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HFA Inhalers – Physician Information
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has mandated the removal of the exemption granted to chlorofluorocarbon-based (CFC) metered-dose albuterol inhalers, and the transition to environmentally-friendly hydrofluoroalkane-based (HFA) albuterol inhalers by December 31, 2008.
During this important transition, the supply of CFC-based asthma inhalers will gradually decline, while supplies of HFA-based inhalers are expected to increase. It’s important to talk to your patients now about transitioning to HFA inhaler alternatives early so they can successfully make the switch. More…
Your asthma patients’ next appointment is an opportunity to discuss the switch to a safe and effective HFA quick-relief albuterol inhaler. The following is a guide for talking with patients about the transition, available HFA alternatives, and financial assistance programs for those patients that qualify. This discussion is also an opportunity to remind your patients about overall asthma management topics, including the proper role of quick-relief inhalers in asthma treatment.
Download this free physician leaflet in English and in Spanish/En Español. Also available is our patient brochure in English and in Spanish/En Español, or poster ( English only) for your clinic. If you would like to order bulk copies of the materials, please click here.
To Learn More, Click on a Topic Below.
AAFA is a member of the U.S. Stakeholders Group on MDI Transition
CFC to HFA Transition: Why Your Patients Should Switch Now
There are a number of reasons why now is a good time to make this transition:
- CFC-based inhalers are harmful to the environment.
- CFC quick-relief albuterol inhalers will not be available after December 31, 2008.
- HFA quick-relief albuterol inhalers are currently available and are the same medicine as the CFC-based version.
- During this transition, manufacturers will gradually reduce their supply of CFC-based quick-relief asthma inhalers and increase supplies of HFA-based quick-relief inhalers.
- Currently, HFA quick-relief albuterol inhaler manufacturers have programs for patients who need financial assistance to make the transition successfully.
- Making the transition to an HFA-based quick-relief albuterol inhaler is a good opportunity to review your patient’s overall asthma management plan with them.
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About HFA Albuterol Inhalers
HFA quick-relief albuterol inhalers are FDA-approved and are safe and effective alternatives to CFC quick-relief albuterol inhalers. HFA quick-relief inhalers differ from CFC inhalers, specifically in taste and spray force. For example, the sensation of the HFA spray will be less forceful than what CFC patients may be accustomed to. Additionally, HFA inhalers have specific cleaning instructions that patients can find within the information provided with the product or by asking their doctor.
Speak to your patients as soon as possible about transition to an HFA quick-relief asthma inhaler. See Currently Available HFA Inhalers.
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Environmental Impact of CFCs
CFCs are man-made hydrocarbons used for decades in products such as refrigerants, foams, solvents, fire extinguishers, and aerosol propellants. Since 1978, CFCs have been removed from almost every product because of the harmful effects CFCs have on the environment by destroying the Earth’s protective ozone layer. The transition from CFC to HFA quick-relief albuterol inhalers is a necessary step to protect the environment. HFA quick-relief albuterol inhalers are as effective and safe as CFC quick-relief inhalers, but are environmentally friendly.
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Asthma Management
Quick-relief albuterol inhalers work by relaxing the muscles in the airways, but are not intended to treat asthma inflammation. If patients are using their quick-relief albuterol inhaler more than twice a week, it may be a good time to discuss ways to properly control their asthma, including the potential need for a long-term maintenance medication such as an inhaled corticosteroid.
Each visit with your patients is an opportunity to review strategies to avoid asthma triggers. It is critical that patients inform doctors immediately if they experience any problems with their HFA quick-relief albuterol inhaler.
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HFA Inhaler Cost and Assistance Programs
If your patients currently have prescription drug coverage through their employer or through Medicare or Medicaid, they will need to confirm the co-pay that applies to the HFA quick-relief albuterol inhaler. If they self-pay for prescription drug coverage, the cost of HFA quick-relief asthma inhalers may be higher than what they currently pay since there are no generic versions of HFA quick-relief inhalers.
Patients in need of financial assistance should contact The Partnership for Prescription Assistance by calling 1-888-4-PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669) or visit their web site for more information.
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Order FREE Patient Brochures and Posters
Get 10 or 20 copies of our Patient Brochure and Poster (see links to PDF copies above) for your office for FREE! Click here to e-mail your request for these materials and remember to include your name, phone number and mailing address.
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Resources
Patients and physicians needing further information on making the transition to an HFA quick-relief inhaler should contact the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) at 1-800-7-ASTHMA.
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HFA Inhaler – FAQ
A Brief Overview of the New Asthma Inhaler FDA Requirements
Albuterol metered dose inhalers (MDI), also called “short-acting” or “rescue” inhalers, are made by several manufacturers. They have traditionally used chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to “propel” the albuterol into the lungs. But now, a new safe and effective alternative propellant, hydroflouroalkane (HFA), has been created to replace CFCs, and will become the required standard for all inhalers starting in 2009. (See official FDA announcement to learn more.)
You don’t have to wait until 2009 to make the switch, you can do it today. Many HFA albuterol inhalers are already available. Talk to your doctor today about writing a new prescription for an HFA inhaler and make the switch early so you’ll make the 2009 deadline. Between now and December 31, 2008, CFC inhaler production will begin to be phased-out. But as the supply of CFC inhalers decreases, supplies of HFA inhalers will increase to ensure that the total supply meets the total patient demand, up to and beyond the 2009 required transition date.
Each product below links to a demo on how to use the inhaler:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q1. What is the difference between my CFC inhaler and the new HFA inhalers?
- A1. CFC albuterol inhalers contain chlorofluorocarbons, which harm the ozone layer. Replacements of CFCs have been available since 1996, and are known as HFAs (hydrofluoroalkanes). HFA inhalers provide the same level of safety and efficacy as CFC inhalers, but without harming the ozone layer. There may be a few differences with HFAs in taste and/or feel.
More…
- Q2. Why do I need to switch my CFC inhaler for a new HFA inhaler?
- A2. CFCs have been taken out of almost every product since 1978 because it has been discovered that CFCs harm the environment by destroying the Earth’s protective ozone layer. However, under the Montreal Protocol in 1987, countries have been permitted to use CFCs for certain medical uses, such as for asthma inhalers, until safe and effective alternatives have been created. Now, with HFAs available as a safe and effective alternative, a full transition can be made, even for asthma inhalers.
- Q3. When will CFC inhalers be phased-out, and HFA inhalers phased-in?
- A3. Some CFC manufacturers have already begun to stop making CFC inhalers and more and more companies have begun to make HFA inhalers. By 2008 all CFC inhalers will be phased-out and HFA inhalers will he fully phased-in.
- Q4. How can I get my new HFA inhaler?
- A4. You will need to get a new prescription from your doctor for an HFA inhaler, so consult with your doctor to determine which HFA albuterol inhaler is right for you.Your doctor can also help establish the timing and manner of your personal transition to an HFA inhaler. You will not be able to just exchange your current CFC inhaler prescription for an HFA inhaler at the pharmacy; a new prescription from your doctor will be required.
- Q5. Will my new HFA inhalers be as safe and effective as my CFC inhaler?
- A5. Yes! HFA inhalers have been available since 1996 and provide the same level of safety and efficacy as CFC inhalers, but without harming the environment.
- Q6. If I want to keep my CFC inhaler, but can’t find it at the pharmacy, what should I do?
- A6. First, use this as an opportunity to schedule a visit with your doctor to discuss your personal transition to an HFA inhaler. After December 31, 2008, you will be required to use an HFA inhaler anyway, so make the transition early. If you want to continue using a CFC inhaler before the required transition date, supplies will be limited since most companies will be making HFA inhalers. Check with the pharmacy benefits manager of your health plan to find a pharmacy in your area that may have some CFC inhalers left, but also schedule a visit with your doctor to eventually get your first HFA inhaler before the deadline date.
- Q7. How much will HFA inhalers cost?
- A7. HFA inhaler cost will depend on a number of things, including your medical plan, co-pay policies and insurance status. Manufacturers of the HFA products are implementing programs to make sure those who cannot afford HFA inhalers will be able to get them. These programs include giveaways, coupons for reducing the price paid, and patient-assistance programs based on financial need.
- Q8. How do I know if I qualify for financial aid or HFA inhaler giveaway programs?
- A8. HFA inhaler manufacturers are offering patient-assistance programs. For information contact:
- Schering-Plough’s SP Cares 1-800-656-9485,
- GlaxoSmithKline’s GSK For You 1-866-GSK-4YOU,
- Ivax Consumer Hotline 1-305-575-6000,
- Or find information on patient assistance programs online.
- Q9. Where else can I get information on the inhaler transition?
- A9. The FDA has more information available on the inhaler transition online.
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