Finding the right asthma inhaler
Toolbox
Published: August 8, 2008
In the Wednesday, Aug. 6, edition of the Rutland Herald, Section D, an article was featured titled "Asthma inhaler that's better for environment," by Jessica Belasco of the San Antonio Express News. The article talks about the new generation of asthma inhalers that uses a new type of propellant called HFA or hydrofluoroalkane, which is a liquified gas. Despite the assurances of the drug manufacturers and big pharma, a great many people are finding these inhalers downright dangerous, including myself.
I have been a runner for many years and rarely needed to use my old CFC inhaler during my four- or five-mile runs twice a week in the winter. When I was forced to switch to an HFA inhaler by the new mandate from the FDA, I had so much trouble with my asthma that I could not run anymore. The more I used the inhaler, the worse my asthma attacks got until sometimes they would happen right after I used my HFA inhaler. Something was clearly wrong.
My doctor at the time attributed my breathing difficulties to old age and needing a more powerful asthma medication. (I'm 41). I did not agree with his diagnosis, and I started doing research online about the new HFA propellants. At the same time I went to a Canadian pharmacy and obtained with a prescription an inhaler that worked that is not sold in the U.S. called Salbutamol. When I switched to the Canadian inhaler, my asthma disappeared in three days, and I felt like my old self again.
Imagine my surprise when I looked at my treasured Canadian Salbutamol and noticed that it also used HFA as a propellant. Now I was really confused. Why were the American inhalers making me sick and the Canadian inhaler not if they used the same HFA propellant?
The answer lies in the differences between the traditional CFC propellant and the new HFA propellant and how they interact with the medicine that is being delivered, albuterol.
I learned that the propellants CFC and HFA are also solvents that help the albuterol flow from the nozzle of the inhaler. CFC was a great solvent but bad for the ozone, but HFA works slightly differently, so they added (read the fine print on your inhaler) ethanol to the mix to help the medicine be delivered.
The ethanol was the difference between the Canadian Salbutamol and the Xopenex inhaler that I had received from my American pharmacist.
I did more research on the Web and found out that a great many people were having trouble with this medicine. To date to the best of my knowledge, the only American-made HFA inhaler that does not use ethanol to mix with the suspension is name brand Ventolin which is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. Proventil, Pro Air, and Xopenex do use ethanol as an excipient. If you are experiencing more difficulty than usual breathing with your new inhaler, I strongly urge you to contact your physician immediatly and discuss your options. It could save your life.
RAY BURGESS
Granville
40