With my boyfriend's asthma, we're always concerned about air quality--not realizing the treatment actually contributed to its worsening.
So we're excited about the new green inhaler law, though we've also heard they're 5 times more expensive and harder to use...
Turns out that inhalers of years passed emitted CFC's. Now, albuterol inhalers are propelled by hydrofluoroalkane (HFA), which doesn't contribute to the ozone's depletion.
(We're really can't believe the irony of the previous situation: asthmatics effectively contributing to poor air quality.)
They new inhalers supposedly cost 5 or 6 times more than the previous versions and are supposed to be a little bit different to use. He's picking up a new prescription tomorrow, so we're not sure how different it's going to be.
Anyone used one yet? What do you think?
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Other than cost, I've noticed no difference
view SoSue's profile
The taste is definitely different in my opinion. No harder to use though (how hard is pushing and inhaling?).
view cwiz24's profile
We've been using HFA propelled inhalers in Canada for years. CFC's have been banned for a while. I've heard of some people disliking them at first when they changed, but its not really that big of a deal.
view Rx_Mike's profile
My husband has had chronic asthma his entire life, and has always used Albuterol. He HATES these new inhalers, even after almost a year of using them. I use an inhaler on an as-needed basis for allergies, and I agree. From a medical standpoint, they just don't work as well.
A good chunk of the reports I have read are saying that the damage caused my inhalers is not as much as it's being made out to be. Granted, I would love it if inhalers would be more earth-friendly, but not at the cost of effectiveness. Maybe if all drug stores offered refills without the plastic body every time, we could cut back on waste there.
view stellato's profile
They don't work as well as the old inhalers. The first time I bought a new one, I didn't even realize there had been a change until I actually used it. I thought something was wrong with it because it did not get the medicine down into my lungs as effectively as the old inhalers. I actually took it back to the pharmacy, told them it was defective, and asked for a replacement. The pharmacist explained the new law and said that she had a lot of customers complaining about the same thing. Fortunately I rarely need my inhaler. I mostly outgrew my inhaler when I reached adulthood, but it still strikes sometimes when I'm sick with another respiratory ailment. I can't imagine what it's like for someone who needs an inhaler regularly.
view Brandyjane's profile