Albuterol HFA

[Voible]

Until recently there was a very long thread on this board (originally entitled "ProAir"). I suspect the thread was deleted due to the heated debate or political manoeuvers of a few posters. Nonetheless, I found this a very informative source of information about an incredibly important topic.

The FDA has (indirectly) mandated that all generic Albuterol inhalers be pulled off the market and replaced with a ("new" non-generic) Albuterol HFA inhaler. This is the same drug with a different delivery system. There were numerous issues which were being discussed including the effectiveness of the 3 newly branded Albuterol HFA products (ProAir HFA, Proventil HFA and Venotolin HFA). I would very much like to hear rational comments from users as to their experiences with these replacement products.

If a moderator did indeed delete this prior thread, perhaps the reasons could be indicated so that we might avoid straying into objectionable territory in the discussion.

[bluedog139]

I posted the following in another spot.

There are several HFA Albuterol inhalers on the market. Because of the change to HFA from CFC's there aren't any generic versions on the market. ProAir is the "generic" replacement, but as I'm sure you noticed the price is much more than your old generic was. Proventil and Ventolin are both available as an HFA. The VentolinHFA comes with a counter (which is handy) but you must use it within 2 months of removing it from the sealed pouch it comes in (major drawback.) And as a lot of people don't use them up that fast, it gets costly for no reason. For me I asked for ProventilHFA because it is cheaper with my insurance that the VentolinHFA one.

A lot of people have complained about the length of usefulness that they are getting from the ProAir inhaler. I can't vouch for that as I have never used it. I asked for ProventilHFA when I had to make the switch to an HFA inhaler from a generic albuterol inhaler. As for length of use I haven't used any of my ProventilHFA long enough to comment. I think some people are having a hard time adjusting to the lower force the new inhalers deliver, that and you aren't supposed to use a space with them.

As far as the people saying HFA doesn't work, there are several newer inhalers (I don't remeber which ones) that have always used HFA and never had a CFC version.

I do get a serious gag me taste with my ProventilHFA inhaler. But I used to get one from my old generic inhaler too, when I first started to use it.

If you have to (or want to) make a switch, you might try Xopenex® (levalbuterol HCl) It's a new version of albuterol that doesn't have some of the side effects of albuterol (shakeyness, heart racing, etc.) Though I think it still uses CFC's for the propellent. If it costs the same as the others now that there isn't a generic on the market, why not talk to your doctor about switching.

hope that helps,
blue

[Titchou]

I've not had any problems with the switch to the HFA product. I know some people on here have. I think it's just try it and see...I feel for those who find it not helpful for their symptoms...

[Falling2Pieces]

I actually perfer the hfa over the older one. It has a much better taste. I currently use xepenx which is a hfa and it is in the "generic" level of my co-pay.