An albuterol sulfate inhaler is a fast-acting bronchodilator that quickly relieves the sudden onset of asthma symptoms like wheezing, chest constriction and difficulty breathing. It works by relaxing the surrounding smooth muscles of the bronchial airways to increase airflow and oxygen intake. Traditionally, albuterol sulfate was available in regular aerosol inhalation form with specific contents. As of 2008, these inhalers were no longer available unless strictly required by a medical condition and replaced by HFA albuterol sulfate inhalers, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Chlorofluorocarbons
Traditional albuterol inhalers included the ozone-depleting substances of chlorofluorocarbons propellants, which act to deplete the stratospheric ozone. Upon release, these chemicals rise about 10 to 25 miles above the Earth's surface and break down into strong ultraviolet light that release chlorine atoms that deplete the ozone layer, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The ban of these compounds initially began in 1978 through consumer aerosols. As of 1996, however, only specific and essential CFCs are allowed for extreme medical cases. By 2008, patients requiring albuterol inhalers could only receive albuterol HFA. Albuterol is a powder suspended in a propellant liquid solution, according to Drugs.com. Albuterol HFA inhalers contain hydroflouroalkane, which is a safe and effective alternative propellant that does not deplete the ozone. A 2002 National Institutes of Health study found that both single doses of albuterol HFA and those from CFC metered dose inhalers, or MDIs, were comparable in terms of efficacy and safety.
Price
The biggest concern among the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, government and asthma sufferers during the transition from CFC containing inhalers to HFA inhalers was the increase in price. As of 2008, the albuterol HFA inhalers cost $20 more than the CFC inhalers possibly causing a significant barrier in access to a crucial asthma medication. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Human and Health Services encouraged manufacturers to begin programs for individuals unable to meet the steep price increase. These programs include inhaler giveaways, coupons for reducing the price paid and patient-assistance programs based on financial need.
Size
CFC containing inhalers are significantly larger than their petite counterpart HFA. Although each canister contains 200 oral inhalations, HFA is nearly half the size of the original albuterol inhaler. The albuterol HFA inhaler canister is 8.5 g, while the traditional CFC inhaler weighs in at 17 g, according to DailyMed. This is mostly due to the size of the propellants as both the trichloromonofluoromethane and dichlorodifluoromethane contained in the canister are significantly larger than the ozone-friendly HFA propellants.
References
- "Jornal de Pediatria"; Hydrofluoroalkane as a Propellant for Pressurized Metered-Dose Inhalers; Cassio C. Ibiapina, Alvarao A. Cruz and Paulo A.M. Camargos; 2004
- RX List: ProAir
- U.S Food & Drug Administration: Albuterol MDI
- Drugs.com: Albuterol
- "Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology"; Albuterol HFA is as Effective as Albuterol CFC in Preventing Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction; Hawksworth RJ, Sykes AP, Faris M, Mant T, Lee TH.; May 2002
