Albuterol inhalers for asthma containing CFC (chlorofluorocarbons) replaced by HFA (hydrofluoroalkane) versions.

US FDA has banned the marketing of CFC containining asthma inhalers from January next year as the CFC's are known to cause depletion of OZONE layer. Albuterol inhalers that contain CFC's will not be sold any longer in the United States of America. The CFC propelled inhalers are being replaced by HFA(hydrofluorolkane) propelled inhalers. The FDA has asked the doctors to start recommending the patients to switch the type of inhaler they have been using to the HFA propelled ones. Since the CFC inhalers will not be available from January 2009, the patients need to familiarize themselves with the taste and consistency of the HFA versions which may taste different and feel softer.According to FDA most patients have already switched, but still there is one company that is still selling the CFC brand. The HFA versions are costlier than their CFC counterparts and may cost up to $65 approximately.The FDA-approved albuterol HFA inhalers are Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd's ProAir HFA, Schering-Plough Corp's Proventil HFA and GlaxoSmithKline Plc's Ventolin HFA.Sepracor Inc's Xopenex HFA is another option, the FDA said. It contains levalbuterol.Fusco-Walker said many patients without health insurance are eligible for discounted, or in some cases, free inhalers. People with insurance may see co-payments rise, or their insurers covering only one of the four HFA inhalers, she said. Her group is pushing for broader coverage.