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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Monday, May 12, 2008
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Monday, May 12, 2008
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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 helps carry the medicine into the lungs. The most common gas used is CFC (chlorofluorocarbon). CFC's 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.
Gases that break down ozone are being phased out. The United States has a goal to stop making and selling inhalers with CFC by December 31, 2008. In the mean time, researchers are looking for other gases to use that will be safe for us and for our environment.
The following inhalers contain CFC: Atrovent® (ipratropium); Combivent®; Albuterol; Alupent®; Aerobid® (flunisolide); Azmacort® (triamcinolone); Flovent® (fluticasone); Intal® (cromolyn); and Tilade® (nedocromil).
New gases have been developed and more are on the way. Currently, HFA (hydrofluoroalkane) is being used in place of CFC. Medicines mixed with HFA work just as well as those with CFC but cost 2 to 3 times more to make. Powder inhalers are also being used. Powdered medicines do not need to be mixed with a gas.
Talk to your provider about a good time to switch to a "CFC-free" 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 other types of inhalers for everyone who needs them.
www.fda.gov/cder/mdi/default.htm
This article is a NetWellness exclusive. 
Last Reviewed: Dec 12, 2006
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Cathy Benninger, APRN, C-AE Program Coordinator, Asthma Clinic Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine Department of Internal Medicine College of Medicine The Ohio State University |
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