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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
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Inhaled medicine is a safe, easy way for people with lung problems to take medicine. The medicine in most inhalers is mixed with a gas. The gas carries the medicine into the lungs. CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) is the most common gas used in inhalers. CFCs are safe for people; however, they destroy the ozone layer in our environment.
Loss of the ozone layer makes us more prone to skin cancer, cataracts, and other health problems.
The Montreal Protocol, an international treaty, requires countries to stop using gases that break down the ozone layer. The United States stopped making and selling CFC inhalers on December 31, 2008.
HFA (hydrofluoroalkane) is being used in place of CFC in the following inhalers: Atrovent® (ipratropium); Combivent®; Albuterol; Alupent®; Aerobid® (flunisolide); Azmacort® (triamcinolone); Flovent® (fluticasone); Intal® (cromolyn); and Tilade® (nedocromil).
Inhalers with HFA work just as well as CFC but will be more expensive until generics are available. HFA inhalers are also prone to clogging, so the plastic holder must be cleaned regularly (see package instructions).
Talk to your provider about switching to an HFA inhaler. Some mail-order pharmacies may switch you automatically. The FDA states there should not be a shortage of inhalers. CFC inhalers will be sold until there are enough HFA inhalers for everyone who needs them.
www.fda.gov/cder/mdi/default.htm
This article is a NetWellness exclusive. 
Last Reviewed: Jan 05, 2009
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Cathy Benninger, APRN, C-AE Clinical Assistant Professor Director, OSU Asthma Center Educational Program OSU Asthma Center Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine Department of Internal Medicine College of Medicine The Ohio State University |
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Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More) 
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