Asthma is a serious respiratory condition involving constriction of the airways that allow air to flow into the lungs. In severe cases, bronchospasm (tightening of the airways) can cause extreme shortness of breath and may result in loss of consciousness and even death. An albuterol inhaler, which acts as a bronchodilator (a medicine that opens the airways) helps relieve asthma symptoms. Albuterol sulfate is the active ingredient in many rescue inhalers. The active ingredient is the part of the medication that has the clinical effect on the symptoms, while inactive ingredients are included either as a filler or for some other purpose. The asthma information section of CDC.gov provides abundant information about asthma and its treatment.
HFA
Ventolin HFA, made by GlaxoSmithKline, Proventil HFA, made by Warrick, and ProAir HFA made by Teva Specialty Pharmaceuticals, all contain the inactive ingredient HFA (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane). Other medicines containing albuterol sulfate often contain HFA. The purpose of HFA is to serve as a propellant; that is, HFA propels the albuterol sulfate from the inhaler into the patient's lungs. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) were previously the most common propellant used in albuterol inhalers. HFA is now used as a propellant, as the Food and Drug Administration prohibited the use of CFCs in inhalers after December 31, 2009. CFCs were phased out of use due to the detrimental environmental effects the chemical has on the ozone. FDA.gov recommends the use of HFA as a propellant in albuterol inhalers, and has determined that at least the three drugs listed here are safe and effective.
HFA is a safe and effective propellant. In clinical studies performed by GalaxoSmithKline, inhalers that contained HFA alone did not have any effect, positive or negative, on lung function, measured by Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV). The greater the value of FEV, the better the lung function, and HFA caused no significant change in FEV over the course of the clinical trial.
Ethanol
Though GlaxoSmithKline and Teva Specialty Pharmaceuticals assert that there are no other inactive ingredients besides HFA, Warrick lists ethanol among its inactive ingredients. Ethanol, also commonly referred to as alcohol, can cause inebriation if taken to excess. However, the amounts needed to have any physiological effect are likely to be many times the normal dose prescribed for an albuterol inhaler.
Oleic Acid
A third inactive ingredient of albuterol inhalers is oleic acid. Oleic acid is found in various cooking oils such as olive oil and peanut oil. Oleic acid is used to keep the albuterol in the inhaler soluble.
These inactive ingredients are overwhelmingly safe and help albuterol get to the place where it is needed the most: the lungs.
