AR: FDA is informing healthcare practitioners and patients that certain metered-dose inhalers used to treat asthma and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease will be gradually removed from the market. That's because these products use chlorofluorocarbons - or CFCs - as propellants. CFCs released into the environment deplete the protective ozone layer in the atmosphere. They've been banned from consumer aerosol products for a long time.
MB: Seven inhalers are affected by this action. Four of them are no longer being made. The remaining three, which will be phased out over the next few years, are Aerobid, Combivent and Maxair. Aerobid can't be sold in the U.S. after June 30th, 2011, and Combivent and Maxair can't be sold after December 31st, 2013. Of course, manufacturers of these inhalers could stop selling them prior to these deadlines.
AR: Patients still using one of these three inhalers should talk to their doctors about switching to another product. These include inhalers that use propellants other than CFCs, inhaled powders that don't use a propellant, or liquids administered with a nebulizer. Patients should understand that these products may look, feel or taste different from the ones they are accustomed to, and may need instruction on how to use them properly.

标题
Phase-Out of CFC Inhalers (FDA)

视频介绍
FDA Patient Safety News - June, 2010 - Show #99