HFA Inhalers

I can't believe they took Primatene mist inhalers off the market. My wife has been using it since she got back from Iraq to ease her lung problems. After she got back from Iraq, she's had problems with wheezing coughing and hacking (known also as the Iraqi Hacki to most service members). Since she didn't want spend an arm and leg on Albuterol. She was prescribed Albuterol when she was active duty but since she left the military, Primatene has been her replacement since its more cost effective, sure she could go to the VA but since it's not service connected. She would spend a ton more than we can afford. The government would be better off outlawing cars which do more harm than an asthma inhaler ever could.

I am one of the many who had to use this new type of inhaler because Primatene was taken off the market. These inhalers are ineffective and, I believe, aggravate breathing issues. I was put on abuterol by my doctor when I was pregnant because I didn't want to harm my baby, I agreed. Awful. As soon as I gave birth, I went off it and returned to Primatene which I used Primatene Mist for many more years with no problems. Now I am worried about how things are going to work out in regard to my breathing. I can't believe this is because of the "ozone". Are you kidding me? That's the best they can do, go after people with asthma? I wrote my senator and got a form letter back. What else can be done about this?

The new inhalers don't work and cost too much! Luckily, I had a Primatene Mist Inhaler which I bought before the ban and was able to prevent a hospital trip. Did anyone even do a study to find out if this stuff was effective before putting it out there? Now, I'm drinking coffee every 4 hours for the mild bronchodilating effects!

I have had asthma as long as I can remember. My mom said I was diagnosed at 3 months old. I'm now 27. Since I have to rely on these newer inhalers, my management has gone completely down the toilet. I have been in the hospital more times than I can count because they not only do not work but make lungs more prone to pneumonia and other illness of the lungs. I rely heavily now upon Advair and my nebulizer. Without the nebulizer I would most certainly die. With the previous inhalers I would go years without any complication whatsoever, now, I always struggle. I can't do a lot at a time because in seconds I will go into a full on attack and all this piece of *** does is manage to let me get to the emergency room before I pass out. I visit our ER. so often, the entire staff knows me by name. This is horrible and it's actually doing a lot more harm than good. This needs to be pulled immediately. They are expensive and worthless.

I was diagnosed with asthma as an adult in 1980. Inhalers have been an essential part of my treatment over the years. With the advent of the HFA inhalers, I find that my "rescue" inhaler does no such thing. I am using nebulized albuterol solution much more than ever before. These new inhalers are extremely dangerous. I have been left literally gasping for air even after repeated use of the HFAs.

As a former cardiac tech, I am fortunate to know what to do and when to seek immediate assistance, which I've had to do on several occasions. It will not surprise me at all if studies reveal an uptick in sudden death from asthma, and all will be using these inhalers. Meanwhile, trucks are spewing out all manner of pollution. It makes no sense and is a threat to people like me.

I am forced, more and more, to rely on oral steroids and nebulizers to control my asthma, all in the time since the changeover. Shameful!

I cannot believe that they have pulled Primatine Mist from the market as I have been taking it for 51 years. I wake up in the middle of the night, sweating trying to breath and the Primatine Mist was a life-saver.

Now after going to my doctor for a replacement, I found out that they have replaced the Primatine Mist with a new inhaler that is 1/3 the size and cost 3 times the price as well as having to have a prescription. I cannot believe they pulled this because of the "ozone" when it goes directly into our lungs and not in the air. Can someone please help me in getting together a petition or something to help in getting us back what we so desperately need?

I have also tried the Primatine tablets but it takes so long to "work" vs the instant success from the inhaler. Someone you can believe, is getting a kickback from taking this off the "over-the-counter" and charging is 3 times as much as well as making it a "prescription". It's a shame the way our system does things. Can anyone help in recommending what I can do to get out of paying so much now that the one thing worked for so long and now suddenly decides it's bad for the environment. Give me a break!

I have to take responsibility for most of my actions in this, as at 52, I had had wheezing and shortness of breath during bad allergy attacks for years, but had never been told I had asthma. After one very bad night of not being able to get a deep breath, I went to our local free clinic for respiratory health, and oddly, after being told I had asthma, was given a script for ProAir inhaler. I stopped that day going home and bought a single packet of Claritin, and quickly my breathing went back to normal; however, due to how frightening the night of laboring to breath was, I took the inhalers. I started using them. However, I never took more than one puff, and not really deeply.

I think what happened was a habit of feeling chest tightness, taking a puff, feeling better, and so on, became a habit. I really wasn't having asthma attacks. I just felt the fear of having one, and therefore, took a quick puff. But, recently, I had elevated blood pressure, and was put on a low dose of Lysinopril. I also have been having feelings of panic, have had heart flutters and palpitations, and am now being checked for thyroid imbalances. I am now not going to use the ProAir anymore.

I am going to keep a stock of antihistamines handy, and if my allergies kick up, that is what I am taking. I feel like maybe these drugs are given too freely. Maybe there should be more testing, and alternatives should always be looked at first. How I wish the doctors and insurance companies would embrace natural cures and herbal remedies! I have had more help over the years with these things than any drug I have ever taken. I intend to get off the Lysinopril as soon as I possibly can!

There is something that you, asthmatics, need to understand. Your government has deemed you obsolete, thus, have been targeted for elimination. For decades, you have thumbed your noses at the system with your cheap, safe and effective CFC inhalers; no more. You will either properly utilize the system which has been created for you to get your medicine, paying to the doctors, insurance companies and most importantly the government what is rightfully ours to take from you or you will die.

For you, asthmatics, who are unwilling or unable to get medicine through the system, we have a recommendation for you: commit suicide. There are plenty of ways that you can take your lives while holding onto some shred of dignity instead of suffocating to death like drowning pigs, flailing around on the ground during one of your uproarious breathing attacks. Our most conservative estimates predict that we will have wiped out your despicable kind in a decade.

I absolutely agree with all of the posters. The ProAir inhaler is all but useless! I got virtually no relief, and I used a spacer. My sister uses this too, and she said the same thing. This inhaler doesn't work! We are getting sicker out here. Are you listening?!

Bring back the old inhalers. Talking about unintended consequences, I have to use more and pay for more, because the drug company used this as an excuse to up their prices. It is no longer considered a generic. All for what? Protecting the ozone? This all goes into my lungs. Stupid, stupid EPA and FDA.

Recently, I had to go to the urgent care for my asthma because over the counter inhalers were pulled from the shelf. The doctor there gave me this stuff called ProAir, it sucks big time. Why in the world would these people put this ** on the market? It's more expensive, symptoms are harder to control and it does not last. Bring back Primatine mist, the ozone has bigger enemies.

The medicine works nowhere near as well as the old CFC Albuterol inhalers. Also, the price jumped over thrice just for changing the gas that propels it out. This should be considered a criminal racket! They didn't invent the medication, but now are charging 3x more for changing a gas!

I want the CFC Albuterol Inhalers back! Every complaint I read about the HFA inhalers hits home with me. I can't breathe as well, it clogs all the time. It costs too much money. If every employee of the FDA had asthma, they wouldn't have made this change.

I am asthmatic and have been for many years. It's only triggered by certain things and Albuterol always worked. I didn't need it often. It was cost-effective for me and mainly it was reliable. Now, using this ProAir is terrible. I'm using too many puffs of medicine. It makes me so jittery and I've been experiencing panic and anxiety attacks with a racing heart.

The chambers do not even deliver the medicine. The hole seems to be not made properly. It clogs constantly and I waste a lot of medicine doing test puffs into the air to get it to work. There is no reliable chamber I've had yet. I have old Albuterol pumps and I've even tried to put the ProAir into the old pumps. Sometimes it works, but most time it doesn't. But why should I have to do that at all? They just make a better product.

There are a lot of non-health related things that harm the environment and people are still allowed to do them (smoking, driving polluting cars, etc.). Why penalize asthmatics? We should not have to go to a stronger medication that we may not need just to get relief. The best medication is the drug that works the best with the least amount of side effects. That was Albuterol.

My asthma has increased. I struggle to breathe and get breath. It's tiring and I take way too many puffs. I've decreased sleep because I'm waking up during the night now because my medication doesn't last or deliver the proper dosage like my Albuterol did. I'm jittery. There are lots of lung mucus accumulation despite multiple puffs to try to get relief.

It's ridiculous. Asthma is debilitating and disabling without the right medication.

Don't try and reinvent the wheel! Just bring back Albuterol.

I am 25 and have been a life long asthmatic. This is my only medication to control my asthma, save a week long round of steroids usually during the transition from Winter to Spring and Summer to Fall. Before this mandatory switch as regulated by the FDA (of which I'm sure none of the principal investigators of their 'study' have asthma), my inhalers were cheap, effective, and I would very rarely run out early.

Ever since they changed to the new HFA propellant, my inhalers have become unaffordable and useless. They empty and jam too early and constantly, a problem that happened so rarely before that I could count the total number of occurrences in my life on one hand. With amputated digits. They also don't open up my chest. I have to keep taking it to get any measure of relief and I still spend all day hacking up mucus, something that never happened before. I've had to resort to buying Epi inhalers from Walgreens, which are now no longer available, or being given extra cartridges from others I've known because they know how bad my asthma can get. They don't need all 3 inhalers, they get to last them, and they know they don't work as well. I just a new inhaler from my new pharmacy on 12/28/11.

Interestingly, it was only $20, but that's still highway robbery compared to what it used to be. Now it's 1/9/12, and not only is it over half empty already, but it is of course already jamming. I will be out before my insurance will authorize a refill, so I'm going to have to call my doctor and hope that he will switch me to Combivent and hope that my insurance will cover it since it is a different mixture and helps clear my chest better. I have not known one asthmatic to give a good review of these inhalers, nor have I heard a pharmacist tell me that even one patient is happy. Not only do I feel like buying one of these should come with a robbery charge along with it, but I'm also of the opinion that the people of the FDA should also have a charge of attempted murder for each one purchased as well.

Until you've experienced what it is not to be able to breathe and to have had attacks that have made you lose consciousness and literally almost killed you (that was back when they didn't let kids have their inhaler on their person at school), I don't want to hear you tell me these inhalers work.

Pro-Air inhalers simply don't work! They get clogged after a couple uses (if that), and aren't nearly as effective as Albuterol. It makes me sick that they think they can screw with asthmatics this way. We need to do everything we can to get CFC inhalers reinstated. Seriously, the amount of CFC's in asthma inhalers is so negligible, and the benefits outweigh the "damage" to the environment that occurs when CFC's go into my lungs. Bah! This whole thing is a scam!

I am so sick and tired of not being able to control my asthma properly. When I was on Abuterol Inhaler it worked wonderfully. Now, with ProAir HFA, it costs twice as much, use it more often and run out at least two weeks before I can get another inhaler. I used to be able to keep my asthma under control and only use the Abuterol about four times a month so it would last--not. That ProAir crap is exactly that--crap! Now, I have to take Advair to help control my asthma (which I didn't before) and that medication does not have a generic form and is very expensive!

I've managed my asthma symptoms completely with BronkAid over the past 5 years. During that time, I was only sick once after having severe symptoms 2-3 times a year. Why did they discontinue BronkAid tablets? What does that have to do with the ozone?

The FDA is going too far. They want to preach health yet, take everything out of our hands that works for self treatment just to cattle prod us into the medical, insurance and pharmacies. Now, I have no options whatsoever, especially without insurance. This recall is almost criminal to the masses. So many people have asthma. You don't get rid of it. Why must you see a doctor every month to obtain an inhaler to save your life? And, why are there limits on them. Mine ran out in a week and a half. So, basically, if I had an attack the remaining 2 1/2 weeks, I die. Drug addicts can get methadone daily, but I can't get proper over the counter medication to treat a common ailment such as asthma? Something needs to be done here.

Can I not give this any stars? Pro-Air gives me panic attack symptoms: heart palpitations, fast beating heart, tightness in my chest. I'm 26 years old, a college lacrosse coach, and had to call an ambulance on Christmas Eve. The symptoms were so outrageous. I've had asthma due to allergies since I was 12, and I've never even had a horrible asthma attack. The side affects of my medication shouldn't be worse than my condition. On the label, the side affects say discontinue use if experiencing the symptoms above. However, after the medics checked me out, they only said my heart rate was elevated, and I didn't have to stop taking it? So what the ** am I supposed to do? Magically know when the symptoms turn dangerous? Can we please get this ** off the streets?!

These inhalers are horrible. I have been a severe asthmatic since birth, and have been hospitalized on multiple occasions. Also, I have been told that I have had to be resuscitated once because of the severity of my condition. I rely heavily on products such as corticosteroids and Albuterol just to stay alive from a day to day basis.

My case of asthma often causes me to have random, unpredictable, and life-threatening attacks. Since 2009, I have noticed that the HFA inhalers I have been given became less and less effective, and now, they are completely useless. These inhalers do not give any form of actual medication that is in a high enough dose to stop any symptoms, and I am starting to suspect that I have a dangerous allergy to HFA inhalers. But I don't know for sure because I have no money to get to any medical aid due to my medical insurance dropping me because of my asthma.

Prescribed ProAir and it was completely ineffectual. The medicine and delivery mechanism does not provide enough power as a rescue inhaler. I have had asthma on and off my entire life and have never had such a poor treatment. I have been prescribed other branded albuterol inhalers that work much better. This is dangerous to prescribe to asthmatics. It is also cost prohibitive and there is no way of knowing how many doses are left before you run out. This drug needs to be pulled off the market before someone ends up in the emergency room or worse.

It had extremely limited effects on opening the airways and I have to use it every two hours for minor relief that only barely opens airways. I have never had to use a product like this more than once for 4-6 hours of relief. In addition, I wasted over forty dollars and cannot be reimbursed.

I, along with my mom, brother, and aunt, was born with asthma. Asthma just runs in my family, and we've treated asthma using Primatene Mist even though we all have insurance. I am distraught that prescription inhalers are not effective as the primatene, not even a little. I just got a prescription inhaler, Albuertol, 2 weeks ago and I'm already needing a refill. They don't last longer than the Primatene and they just don't work. It was only 11.00 dollars with my insurance, but I would pay 20.00 any day for the Primatene Mist.

Please bring them back! But, listen up guys, my mother found this pill called Mini Thin years ago and you can get them at any convenience store or probably online. These pills are used for energy, my mom took one and realized it stopped her wheezing and asthma symptoms so she told me and my brother about them. And my god do they work. I mean these pills work fast and stop your asthma symptoms for sure. We are severe asthmatics and these pills are a life saver. I highly recommend them, just go to your local convenience store and ask for Mini Thin pills, now again they are energy pills and they do have you uppty, but they work wonders for asthma. I'm not sure what's in them to stop asthma symptoms, but trust me, they do.

The bottom line is, CFC inhalers are the only ones that work. For me, the Primatene Mist works great and everything else just doesn't cut it, especially in an emergency situation. This is obviously a government ploy for population control since so many people are going to die once the CFC inhalers are gone. The ozone excuse is ***. I happen to have my refrigeration license and know for a fact that CFC's don't effect the ozone at all because they are denser (heavier) than air, meaning it goes down not up. And because the government owns the FDA, EPA and Clean Air acts, yet doesn't employ any scientists is proof that it's all lies and an obvious ploy to make another soon to be poorly spent dollar.

I wish that people dying because of this CFC nonsense would open people's eyes to the extra large problem that this ban is creating but I know it won't. I can really only hope that the Mad Max style revolution begins soon, so that we can overthrow the government, kill all politicians and start over from scratch. Until then please please spit on, punch, bludgeon, kick, stab, shoot, torture, burn and otherwise maim all hippies you see. Uninformed, uneducated and ignorant hippies are the source of almost all of these kind of problems. I could give a *** less how pretty the environment is, when I'm choking to death because of my inadequate inhaler. How exactly do the one or two CFC's used to propel my medicine into my lungs make it to the ozone anyway? Farts? Burps? This is ***!

I have been using Primatene Mist for 45 years. I have severe asthma. Primatene has saved my life countless times. The HFA inhalers are an insult. This is blatant corruption. I have no job or insurance. I will die. You have done this, so be it. But how dare you tell children that they must die so that some big pharma crooks can line their pockets? There will be a special place in hell for those who cynically and violently caused this.

This inhaler sucks and gets clogged after a few uses. This is not good when you have an emergency with an asthma attack, and you need your inhaler. This is not good when you can't breathe.

My daughter, 8 years old, has prescription for the Pro-Air inhalers due to her asthma. This inhaler is awful. It constantly malfunctions. Three times my daughter has had to depend on her Pro-Air inhaler it has malfunctioned. One time, she had to be taken off her school bus and transported by ambulance to the hospital. The first time she was at school and thank God, my dad was home and could run her nebulizer to the school.

Please bring back Primatene Mist or the equivalent. It is shameful to think that no one cares about people with asthma. The ProAir inhaler does not work. Save the planet! That's a bullshit excuse and everyone knows it. It all comes down to the almighty dollar. I hope they can live with the fact that they're shortening people's lives with their business decision. Maybe I'll find a way to cook up my own inhaler and sell it like an illegal substance. Meth and crack manufacturers can do it, so can we.** the insurance companies and everyone else involved in this business decision! Shameful indeed!

I was put on Pro Air to replace my CFC inhaler, Albuterol. It was as effective as the name implies. So I began using the only over the counter inhaler available, Primatene Mist. It saved my life numerous times. Since the ban on CFC inhalers and since losing my health insurance I am in fear for my life. The only relief I can find is with Brokaid, an over the counter pill, containing Ephedrine. It has given me moderate relief but it takes up to an hour to work. During a severe asthma attack time is crucial. A person could die before the med begins to work.

In my experience, the delivery of medicine with the ProAir inhaler is terrible. Half the time, nothing comes out; one is supposed to waste doses by "priming" if it hasn't been used in 24 hours. Even when the dose does come out, it is impossible to see if it's a full dose. It doesn't start working right away in the way the older inhalers or the generic Albuterol HFA inhaler seems to work.

My friend has one of those. The only way I know it works, since my insurance company claims it doesn't even exist, much less pay for it and I am concerned that in an emergency away from home, where I have a nebulizer, I'll be in trouble. Does anyone know where I can write to the company about my concerns? I have two friends in the medical field who have shared with me that all their patients with asthma have the same complaints about ProAir inhalers.

I, too, think ProAir is not very effective. Half the time I don't get any medicine when I try to activate it. It seems clogged. The propellant used is not effective. If the FDA wants to do something about the ozone, they should ban smoking. Leave our inhalers alone. I, too, worry about having a severe attack and the ProAir is not working. I'm not always where I can rinse it to try to get it to work. I've used Primatene ever since it came on the market. It was literally a life saver and kept me out of the ER.

The decision to take over the counter inhalers off the market has affected my life greatly. I am in a constant state of panic that I am going to die if my doctor-prescribed inhaler runs out, because I will not be able to get a rescue-inhaler quick enough. I am on county medical, and some paper-pushers say that I can only have one inhaler a month. Well, if it is a ** inhaler, I'm going to need more than a month's supply, but I can't because some bureaucrat gets to tell me how to live.

I have been hospitalized once because of the FDA's decision. I could not be rescued, and almost died, because I did not have access to an inhaler. Currently, I am dipping out the vapors of my last inhaler, and I still have 4 days until I can get a full one. I am scared of dying all the time now. Please do something! The FDA can't do this! People are going to die more than those little carbon puffs are going to do to the environment. Do something, please!

I am appalled that the Primatene Inhaler is being taken off the market. I have been using it for over 25 years andd it is the best rescue inhaler on the market. Yet the "FDA" has decided to take it off the market due to CFC's, the propellant that releases the medicine out of the bottle. There are so many people that do not have any insurance or limited benefits to purchase scripted insurance more-or-less even to go to the doctors office. The FDA and all doctors who decided to take this stand to remove the medication will be responsible for many many deaths. It is ironic that doctors who do not suffer with Asthma can make a decision for everyone in the United States.

All of it is about money, more money in the doctors pocket, more money to see their patients in the hospital and more kickbacks on the prescribed medications. I have tried every medication on the market and each one of the chemical medication artificial man made products, give me sever side effects - heart palpitations, excessive coughing, rapid heartbeats, etc. Besides that, the medications do not work. They are short term and you need more and more meds to do the job.

I beg of you. Please contact the FDA and Stop the Primatene Inhaler from being taken off the market as of 12-31-2011. We the asthmatics need that medication. I am 63 years old and I have learned what is better for my own health. The doctors are the ones we pay for services. They must listen to us as we complain about inhalers and chemicals that do not work. Which doctor wants to explain that it is his or her fault for being the person responsible for Asthma related deaths because they want to line their pockets at our conveniences ? Primatene Inhalers work. I have also called The Committee on Energy and Commerce in Washington, DC for help as well.

They don't work. My asthma was well controlled with one CFC inhaler for over 20 years and I could often go a few days without it. Now I have to take two inhalers (rescue and controller). And together they are much less effective. I have to take the HFA rescue inhaler multiple times a day, often with very little relief. I have had bronchitis several times since switching (every few months). I now worry about everything I do, what might trigger an attack, and if I can afford to take another puff, because I'm screwed if I run out before the insurance will cover the next replacement. Asthma used to be a minor concern in my life. Now it is a constant problem.

These HFA inhalers NOT only are ineffective, but there is no generic available. So, if you were using a generic CFC inhaler or OTC Primatene Mist and were paying $10-$20 a month for much needed rescue relief, you are now paying the following: A doctor's visit to get a script for a prescribed inhaler, the full cost of the inhaler or a hefty co-pay (remember: no generic available) for a rescue inhaler and a corticosteroid "maintenance" inhaler.

These FDA and environmental fundies are playing with our lives over a disputed theory about ozone depletion, a hot button issue back when the Montreal Protocal was enacted that we never even hear about anymore! They were only supposed to take CFC inhalers off the market if there was a suitable substitute. Well there isn't a suitable or effective or economically sound substitute for CFC OTC or prescription inhalers. I think we need to find an attorney and file a class action lawsuit! This is dumb politics trumping ambiguous science and pounding asthmatic victims under foot! Sue! Sue! Sue! Who's with me?

The new HFA inhalers do not work. I have to use these at least three times as many inhalations and am left with a rapid heartbeat and headache. The term "rescue inhaler" needs to be a thing of the past. I do not have any confidence in the HFA inhalers and worry what will happen if a bad attack comes on.

Thanks to the government for messing up my ability to breathe. When will the people get a lobby to help protect us from the rash decisions of the government? Due to the government's inability to withstand lobby pressure, I now pay more for a less effective product that leaves me feeling horrible. It isn't the insurance companies we need to worry about as much as the drug companies.

I have been using this Proair inhaler for a year now. And within the last 3 months, they haven't been lasting as long. I don't ever use them. Now, I am completely out and still have 2 weeks left until I can receive another one. I don't know what I'm supposed to do but go to the ER? The pharmacy says its a manufacturer problem. My doctor just keeps giving me refills that the insurance won't let me fill! I'm at a lose right now :(

Buying the new Proventil HFA inhaler is equivalent to throwing money down the toilet along with my health. The use of these new inhalers is practically impossible with the constant clogging and low pressure.

Son's physician prescribed changed. Son's inhaler, from Proventil to Pro-Air, does not work as a rescue inhaler.

This complaint is about ProAir's HFA inhaler. This ProAir inhaler has time and time again failed to work because of what seems to be clogging. I rinse the inhaler under hot water to relieve the clog and by this time, my attack has accelerated. The ProAir also seems to have way less medication than the older albuterol inhalers. And after just two weeks of proper prescribed usage, I need a refill. But I am unable to attain one because of my insurance company's policy of having to wait a full 30 days. Many times, I have been thankful to have had these asthma attacks at home because of my backup nebulizer, without which, I believe I would be dead right now. I urge this company to rethink their product.

Since May of 2011, my puffers have not worked very well. They are working like the generic Ventolin worked. Even though my insurance company would not pay for the "real" thing, I did because it worked. When I noticed that the insurance is paying for it now, I checked with the doctor and pharmacy and they assured me that it was the real thing. If it is, me and my daughter need the old real thing badly.

The ProAir brand inhaler does not reach the lungs and does not contain more than 20 doses when it is supposed to contain 200. I and 6 children all have had lifelong asthma and we cannot get relief resulting in many trips to the ER. Every doctor and pharmacy argues with me that they work just fine and they have had no other complaints.

Type in ProAir on the Internet and complaints come up one after the other. Why is the FDA not correcting this when people are literally dying? And why are these doctors and pharmacists lying to us?

All insurance companies will only cover the red ProAir canister and that is usually with a hefty co-pay. Then when they only last a few days, they will not let asthmatics get any more because they insist it was a 30 day supply!

This had nothing to do with the ozone, these inhalers did not affect it at all. This is purely the big pharma companies putting money in the politicians pockets. If the inhaler is needed too often, then you should definitely be on the preventative inhalers that are proven to cause death. But the pharma can charge hundreds of dollars a month for them.

The old inhalers were $5, worked perfectly and lasted usually more than 30 days. Why break something that worked and use the excuse that you are fixing it at the expense of human life? As consumers that are suffering deaths and severe impairments, what is our recourse? I have tried putting complaints into the FDA, but they, too, tell me I am alone in my complaints and will not look into Internet search complaints.

Any suggestions on how we can all get a solution to this problem as a large group of consumers and sufferers would be greatly welcomed.

A few weeks ago there was a big deal made about a college girl who "died from overuse of her inhaler. Her classmates stated that she had been puffing on it more than usual until she finally died. It was all over the news until the comments from those of us that use these inhalers were very negative stating that this poor girl died because she kept trying to puff on her medication, but it was not reaching her lungs and did not stop the attack that killed her. Those comments stopped any reporting of this case and the poor girl's death is just going to go down as her doing something wrong. These cases are too many to mention so they are just being disregarded. This needs to stop!

Although the HFA Flovent is not as effective, as the older CFC inhaIers, I still tried filling a prescription for this Flovent to learn it would cost $78.00. This was with my BCBS insurance! I did not fill it. Too often my asthma/COPD turns into Bronchitis. I feel stuck with no help with medication or pocketbook. The one thing that really bothers me is why the FDA takes a good medicine off the market with the pretense of damage to the ozone when here at Eglin, AFB, the military constantly use controlled burning on the reservation. The dark haze and stink makes the air stifling. Talk about damage to the ozone! This scenario is a good one for the population control conspiracy theorists.

These ProAir inhalers are a joke. They work about as well as the fake Pseudaphed that was put on the market. I have daily, year-round allergies and when asthma hits, I need the rescue inhaler to work now and not after 4 or 5 puffs. I need to break out the nebulizer when asthma strikes. It makes for loss of work in most cases, unless I am lucky enough to have an attack at home.

I lost trust in ProAir HFA over the past two years. It's just not as effective to the point of why bother? I have mild asthma and have kept it under good control. Head cold kicked up the asthma. This time, a 24-hour mild allergic reaction; shortness of breath, exhaustion, facial swelling and breathing never improved. I must not use this product. I will have to stay on my Steroid Inhaler and suffer with breathing problems that were controlled with a CFC Inhaler.

I have been using the inhaler for a number of years. Recently, the pharmacy began to use the ProAir HFA inhaler. It normally lasts approximately one week (at the most). There is nothing coming out. I consider this dangerous as this is an emergency inhaler. I would hate to have a serious attack with one of these in my hands thinking it would help.

The old CFC asthma inhalers have been taken off the market, as of a couple of years ago, due to concerns about ozone. My son is a severe asthmatic since the age of two and is now 11 years old. At about the age of 8, he was prescribed his first Pro-Air inhaler. It did not work effectively, according to him. He was prescribed a CFC (since banned, the following year, I think) inhaler, which did relieve his symptoms, when they occurred. His body needs oxygen to grow and develop properly. Every allergy season (Spring through Fall) bring episode upon episode of breathing difficulties. His lifestyle is limited (sports participation, etc.) by his asthma and the lack of access to a true "rescue inhaler" that is effective. I do not know that this benefits the ozone layer. After all, this generation of asthmatics may harbor the scientist who will figure out how to fix it. He or she may not actually live to adulthood without a proper rescue inhaler.

The VA switched my inhaler to ProAir HFA recently. The last canister I used lasted 4 days. After that, even though there was medicine in it, it would not work. Instead of pushing the medicine out, it sounded like it was sucking it in.

I have to take 2 puffs every 4 hours as needed, and that is constantly. Because I have to use a rescue inhaler so often with this one, I cannot tell when I need to order new ones and when it ceases to work early, I can't breathe. I can't afford to buy 2 canisters every 2 weeks just to be safe. This product could result in someone dying.

ProAir inhaler, they are all but useless. Have a brand new one, supposed to take 2 puffs and I am fortunate if 1 puff will come out. They clog constantly and are almost useless when I am struggling to breathe during an asthma attack. They are called rescue inhalers which is a joke. I have had asthma most of my life and I do know how to use an inhaler. My asthma has progressively worsened since this inhaler came on the market and replaced the old inhaler. Save the ozone and let people die!

The new ProAir HFA Asthma inhalers do not work. They never deliver the 200 inhalations listed on the canister. It fails to work half-way through the prescription. I need to use twice as much medicine with the new inhalers, HFA, as I did with the old inhalers, CFC. People are dying because of this product.

Have to use nebulizer more often cause won't have access to a working emergency inhaler throughout the day and even then wind up having difficulty.

Your inhalers do not last as long as the Albuterol and they always clog up and waste medicine. They say 200 puffs but I get 100 to 125 puffs. My company pay is 30 dollars and they cost $40. I saved more money before this garbage came out. I use to refill once a month, now I refill 4 times a month.

This is a loss of a valuable product. It went from 300 dollars a year to 1340 dollars a year, that is a 1040 dollar difference. If I don't have the inhaler, I will die. We need to find a solution to this problem or go back to the old type.

I have asthma. It is well-controlled but I still need to use my inhaler occasionally. When I use it, I am having an acute attack and need it to start to work immediately. Unfortunately, I've found that the new HFA inhalers do not work in this situation. I cannot get the medication deep into my lungs and the formulation makes me cough violently. Even though it has the same amount of medication, it does not work as quickly. I now have to be extremely careful of any activity that might possibly trigger an attack, because I know that my rescue inhaler won't help me.

The HFA inhalers that replaced the CFC inhalers do not work as well as the CFC inhalers and have increased side effects. Relief from the CFC inhalers takes about 30 seconds, while it can take 30 minutes to feel any effect from the HFA inhalers. In addition, complete relief does not occur. Side effects include cramping and muscle weakness.

My teen son has mild to moderate asthma as do I. When we need an inhaler, we used to use a generic albuterol inhaler which on our insurance plan cost only $5. Now I find there is no longer a designated generic for our albuterol because of CFC content. The new HFC (ProAir) inhaler is not as good and cost us almost 4 times as much at just over $19 (out-of-pocket) because our plan will pay only half the cost for brand name products while there is only a $5 or less co-pay for generics.

Since my husband has some serious health issues and must use a number of newer drugs that have no generic, it is a big deal for us budget-wise when something we are used to getting for $5 is now more than $19, and doesn't work as well or as efficiently as the original generic. Since it will not work as efficiently, we are faced with having to pay almost $40 for a new inhaler if ProAir does not last long enough because the plan will only pay for one a month. But the worst problem is that the HFC inhalers are apparently actually dangerous. This is not only because they don't work as quickly or as effectively as the albuterol dispensed with the old CFC inhalers, but HFC is apparently causing and/or worsening new health problems for many people. My son needs an inhaler that will work when he needs it to so that he can continue a good exercise program without fear of having an asthma attack or risk creating new health problems for himself. There is absolutely no justification for banning CFCs in inhaler medications. It will not change the status of the ozone layer for better or for worse, but the cost in terms of medical expenditure, human suffering and perhaps death is huge!

Since the substitution of Pro Air HFC for the CFC inhaler, I am not getting the relief I need. I have only had minor to moderate asthma attacks and it barely helped. It clearly will not help during a major attack or long-term use such as during brush fires. God help then and during a major attack because Pro Air will not. Worse yet, I have developed severe side effects, hypertension, heart palpitations and stomach upset so who knows what will happen next.

I never have had any heart or blood pressure problems in my life until I used this product. It is ludicrous to think that CFC inhalers are going to damage the ozone layer when proof of CFC damage is under laboratory conditions only. No one knows, they can only speculate that the two holes in the ozone layer were caused by CFC use, because by the time we developed the technology to know they exist, they could have been there for millenia and be natural phenomena.

Since many countries are not CFC compliant anyway, taking away our old inhalers is not going to make one bit of difference to the ozone but it is making life-changing and life-threatening differences to many people! I hope this can be changed and soon. I am following this with an adverse drug reaction report to the FDA. Thank you!

These inhalers are dangerous and do not work like the CFC. I want my inhaler back so that I can live a normal life again, free from worry and fear. This ban of CFC inhalers threatened the health and safety of the public and I do believe that is a violation of public policy. I worry every day that I will die from an asthma attack. I have used CFC's for 30 years and I was able to live a pretty normal life. I now lie awake at night unable to sleep. I worry every second because they have taken away a medication that has worked and saved my life for many years. I am allergic to corn; ethanol is in this new inhaler. The people deserve the right to have their inhalers back. We have the right to live and have access to a medication that is not dangerous. People are getting sicker from the HFA's, not better. We all have the right to our medication. How many must die before something is done?

However, since the introduction of HFA inhaler, my asthma has been out of control.

My use of the inhalers has increased and the medication never full relieves the respiratory distress. Which in turn has resulted in many ER visits this year? Because the symptoms are relieved with the HFA inhalers, it is necessary to use them more. However, insurance companies only allow one inhaler per month. One inhaler of less medication that is less effective. The cost has gone up, because no generic for is available. If it is ALBUTEROL, which has been on the market for years, a generic form should be available.

I have worked as a paramedic/firefighter for years. I can't work as a firefighter right now, because my asthma isn't under control. I am even considering giving up being a paramedic. Without having my asthma under control. I can't take care of other people. If I can't breathe, I am no good to them. So, we pay more, for less medication, that is less effective, resulting in more hospital visits. How is that cost effective? How is that good for the community?

CFC inhalers have been unavailable since January 2009. The new propellent is ethanol, which doesn't appear to be as effective. Now instead of one medication we have to add others (Serevent, Advair, Symbicort, Spriva, Duoneb, oxygen, and others) to achieve results. Hundreds of sufferers have complained, including athletes. This change effects, asthma, emphysema, COPD (emphysema combined with chronic bronchitis), elderly with congestive heart failure. Repeat hospitalizations, additional pain and suffering, more doctor visits, inability to work, and increased isolation.

I have had asthma since two years of age. I was leading an active life with my asthma controlled with the old Albuterol for rescue, and Flovent to control symptoms. When I was no longer able to buy the before mentioned products due to the switching over to the new propellents, I started taking ProAir for rescue and Asmanex for control. I am never without asthma symptoms now. I no longer am active as I am afraid to bring on an attack as the ProAir does not ever completely allow my breathing to return to normal. I have had further problems with worsening asthma symptoms as I am allergic or sensitive to all sulpha and sulfates. My quality of life has changed dramatically since the new restrictions went into place. Is there any chance of being able to obtain the old product for people as myself? Thank you for your help. The new product is more expensive, and more importantly, my personal heath and relationship with my husband is being severely damaged.

In collusion with big pharmacies, the FDA has banned the aerosol asthma inhalers so that the companies can make more bucks with new powder inhalers. How can they possibly say that those tiny life-saving inhalers have anything in common with countless major pollutants like air conditioning, Hummers and SUVs? All those products are truly poisoning our environment. As a result, people like me, who have had asthma under control for years, now are struggling for breath and having to limit our activity.

In the long run, we will cost society more as we require more drastic medical treatments. My asthma was well under control with the Serevent inhaler until a few years ago when the new powder version was substituted for the aerosol. I was switched to Azmacort and that also kept me well until it was recently dropped from the market and replaced by the powdered version, Asmanex. Now, I struggle for breath every day and live in fear of having to be rushed to the ER as I was several times before starting to use those effective aerosol inhalers. Say nothing of dreading the idea of having to walk around with an oxygen tank.

My daughter, now 15, has had asthma all her life. It was under control until the switch came with these new HFA inhalers. She is using it twice as much and doesn't get the instant relief she used to have. Also, the outrageous amount of cost, even under insurance, is just ridiculous. It constantly gets blocked and doesn't seem to be completely full. She had to go on Singulair to assist with her well being. What is happening? At 15, she can no longer participate in all she loves to do being an active child and loving the outdoors.

These new HFA inhalers are useless, and she has been told she must be using it wrong? Please, take a deep breath? How does one do that with asthma or during an attack? And when she does use it, she is using it more often than she used to? They do not last or do what they were designed to do! This is an outrage to those who suffer with asthma!

Something needs to be done, as millions of people suffer from asthma; and being a life-threatening situation, something must be done asap. I am wondering if anyone who designed these new inhalers actually has asthma or has a child that suffers daily. Another blunder from a pharmaceutical company. Use it more, buy more, the company makes more...even if it doesn't actually help! But what do they care? Compassion has never beaten the old mighty dollar.

The cessation of CFC inhalers, in my case the highly effective Azmacort, which kept my long-term asthma well under control to the now required HFA products has sent my health into a four-month tailspin. From late November 2009 until now (March 22, 2009), I have had three respiratory or sinus infections, bronchitis, a month of coughing (still ongoing), and frequent use of my "emergency" inhalers. At age 58, daily maintenance with Azmacort has turned into a daily struggle to sleep without wheezing and to breathe comfortably.

It is beyond me that with all these complaints the new HFA Inhalers are still on the market. Why? I was given a sample HFA Inhaler but after learning what it's doing to everyone and the cost of it, I threw it in the bucket where it belongs. I will use my nebulizer machine. As quite a few victims have said as far as the greener excuse, this sabotaged medicine is inhaled not exhaled. It goes directly into our lungs not the environment, which leads me to ask why they even tampered with a completely good and efficient medicine!

Pro-Air HFA Inhalers contain less actuation than specified in packaging. The last few inhalers my daughter got from CVS were empty after 15 - 20 puffs. There are supposed to be 200 metered actuation according to the box. This is a huge rip-off. Inhaler contains less than 10% of purported content. With copy being at $25.00 per refill, I have been ripped off by $22.50 per refill for the last 10+ inhalers I purchased.

I am a severe asthmatic whose asthma was well under control for a long time until the discontinuation of the CFC albuterol inhalers and the switch to HFA inhalers as mandated by the Montreal Protocol. My asthma is now out of control because the new albuterol HFA inhalers do not relieve my asthma. In fact, they seem to exacerbate attacks. Neither my physician nor the pharmacist take me seriously and tell me I'm probably not using the inhaler properly. My doctor simply thinks I have worsening asthma. It is strange that my "worsening asthma" began with the use of HFA inhalers.

In addition, I started having palpitations which have become worse and worse, and often my heart races at 120 BPM for a couple of hours after an inhalation. These inhalers are commonly referred to as "rescue inhalers". They are intended to act quickly to relieve shortness of breath caused by sudden asthma symptoms. The "professionals" tell me to take a deep breath when using the new inhaler. Huh?! How does one take a deep breath when having an asthma attack? Do they have any idea what it's like?

I thought it was just me until I read a lot of online forums about the HFA inhalers. Most of the user responses have been similar to mine. So why is it that we are not taken seriously? At the age of 61 years, I know my asthma very well. I know how to use all types of inhalers and I know what works and what does not and so do the many other asthmatics that have no emergency alternative. It is scary to say the least, and not being taken seriously is infuriating.

In the past week, I've conducted an experiment of my own. I bought a box of Bronkaid (OTC) tablets, not expecting any favorable results. About 30 minutes after taking the first dose, I was breathing freely for the first time in months. For a week now, I have been taking 4 Bronkaid tablets daily and have not experienced any chest tightness or wheezing. In addition, the palpitations and racing heartbeat have subsided completely. Bronkaid is a drug that should not be so effective for a severe asthmatic like me with "worsening asthma". Also, I am quite sure that Bronkaid (ephedrine) should not be used on a regular basis. And there is still the question of what will happen to me when pollen season comes and I have no effective fast acting inhaler.

The switchover from CFC abulterol inhalers to "greener" HFA inhalers has sacrificed the breathing health of millions of asthma sufferers in the name of the environment. The product simply is not as effective as the old delivery system. Search the internet for user complaints, and you'll find endless comments about how people's asthma symptoms are not relieved nearly as well with the new inhalers compared to the banned CFC inhalers. I have a few doses left of my old CFC canister (albeit several years old now) and I fear the day it's empty and I have to rely on my HFA inhaler. They don't work!

I have just read the stories about the CFC, HFA asthma inhalers. So many people are suffering so much. I, too, am a lifelong (75 yrs) asthma sufferer. I was also given every inhaler that came along. At times, near death as well. My defense was finally studying all asthma inhalers and meds. It amazes me how the experts can push these 'new products' upon us, without having any regard of our reactions. The light finally came on for me, and the instant a med does not agree with me, it's tossed out. Life is too precious. I cannot use CFC or HFA. I use dry powder inhalers as required. They are not propellant-driven. At times I will use a nebulizer with the necessary liquids. I also still depend on the good old Tedral or similar. That is a life saver.

The HFA inhalers do not work very well and now my asthma is not under control, which is making it hard to function as a professional. I feel like I'm exhausted all the time and can't breathe well. I am having a hard time being there for my clients and at times, I feel I should quit my job as a result of the loss of energy and not being able to breathe well.

Ban of CFC inhalers. Azmacort was discontinued by Abbott. There is no generic, no alternative. Azmacort is the only drug that had my asthma under control. Now I am in pain, and desperately trying DPI replacements which so far only cause asthma attacks. I cannot work. I cannot breathe. First, it was the albuterol emergency inhalers, now a corticosteroid is no longer available. The first DPI I used started massive coughing fit and uncontrolled nighttime asthma. For the record, I can outperform the standard norm on a spirometry test. I know how to correctly use an inhaler and I can tell you that the new propellants are horrible, powder or otherwise. I am extremely displeased with politics driving medical decisions, as is my doctor and her staff. I am currently out of work. If I cannot find any replacement medication that gives me any kind of ability to live a 'normal life, which I did have, I will be out of work indefinitely and locked in an air cleaned house double over in pain.

The new HFA inhalers don't work. I thought maybe I had a defective inhaler. But I've tried Pro-Air, Proventil, Ventolin, and Xoponex. None of them work like the old albuterol CFC inhalers. What is an asthma patient supposed to do? I can no longer take walks when it's too hot or cold outside, because I can't count on these inhalers. They seem to make symptoms worse.

I have had asthma since I was 4 months old I am 26 now and now they have changed the only medication that would help me when I am in distress from an asthma attack. The new inhalers are always getting stopped up and they do not help my symptoms as well as the old ones I have to take it more often even with my other medications that help control my asthma. I went Friday to get a inhaler filled. It cost me 40 dollars and the old ones I was able to get for 19.99 and the old one helped me better.

If I am paying this much for a medication I have to have if I don't want to die from a attack, the least it can do is work! I find this very very scary! You don't mess with something that saves peoples lives! I have medical insurance and it still cost me that much. I can't afford every month. I used to be able to go to my doctor and they would have samples but for some reason they have quit bring samples so I have no choice but to pay for this inhaler that doesn't work. Is that ironic or what? That 40.00 dollar inhaler was a generic brand its called Pro Air.

If the generic cost that much, I would hate to see the cost of the Proventil or the Ventilin inhalers now! Something has to change. Times are tough as it is. I don't need the extra stress of wondering If I am going to be able to get my inhaler filled next month. I came across this web site and figured maybe someone that can do something may read this and do something! My mom is also asthmatic along with my grandmother and they both say the same thing so I know it's not just me! I have to take more of the rescue inhaler in turn cause me to run out earlier and back to square one!

The new HFA inhalers do not work for a major asthma attack. My daughter has had difficulty breathing for 24 hours with an asthma attack. The old style CFA inhalers would take care of it with usually just one puff every 4 hours. She has been using 2 puffs every 2 hours with the new (junk) and barely has any relief. We have used 2 different kinds and with and without the spacer. I'd love for the FDA to tell me what the heck the old inhalers could possibly do to the ozone that it isn't doing to our lungs?

The cost of the new inhalers is 5 times as much. You have to use 2-3 times as much and there is no relief, which means she doesn't get any sleep. She has to stay home from school because she is too exhausted. I have to stay home from work (more money). And my daughter has to be afraid she is going to die because she can't breathe when she lies down. Three members of our family use an inhaler, so the inflated cost of these useless inhalers is costing us a lot of money!

I got 28 puffs and the inhaler is empty. These inhalers by ProAir HFA are defective. I am seriously impaired in my ability to work because of these ProAir HFA inhalers.

ProAir inhalers are defective. If the ProAir inhaler has a black label in the area of the expiration date, it will not work for very long. It still has drug in it but will not dispense the drug because of faulty propellant and unit. The pharmacy refuses to take them back indicating I have used it. Note that the ProAir with the white in the area of the expiration date works fine, so now I refuse to take the inhalers with the black area expiration date.

I'm an asthmatic and occasionally need my rescue inhaler. I just recently needed to use my rescue inhaler and came to find out the new HFA inhalers are much less effective, if at all. The spray is softer so it's difficult to get treatment when having an asthma attack. I didn't receive any relief from my Proventil HFA inhaler and luckily had an Albuterol CFC inhaler lying around. Apparently, the shelf life is shorter (2 months) on the new HFA inhalers and they cost much more since there's no generic. The CFC Albuterol inhalers need to be brought back! The HFA inhalers are not an effective product. I'm now looking into buying a nebulizer, which will limit my mobility and way of life severely. I'm outraged!

this inhaler is not nearly as effective as the cfc inhalers. it takes longer to feel the effect as wel as 2-4 times the dose meaning anywhere from 4-8 puffs before even marginal relief is felt. you are advsied to take deep breaths but the problem is that whn you are having an asthma attack esp a severe one deep breaths are not possible. hence the problem.

I used my hfa in haler on more than one occaision and had to use an increased dose and at time had to abandon the inhaler for a treatment using a nebulizer (which gives a more concentrated does of medication and takes apprx 15 m inutes to complete one treatment)

The worst cases when i used the hfa to no relief then moved on tha the nebulizer and 3 treatments later still had no relief. I finally had to call an ambulance and go to the er. after this happerend the second time i stopped using thee hfa altogether as it seemd to make the attacks worse.

Now I still use my advair daily to control my asthmas but when i needs emergancy relief i just use the over the counter primatene. This inhaler gives much faster relief but is infinitely more dangerous with much higher risks for cardiac arrest amng other problems. It is scarry.

my only options are going to the er, missing time from work, being unable to care for my kids, risking death by asthmas attack, using the Gov't approved medication. or I can risk death by heart attack using the primatene inhaler. hopefully since my asthma is well controlled with the Advair ( i only need a rescue in haler one or twice in a two week period) I am not using the prmatene enought ti kill me.

I think the FDA is just like the Drug Makers, help each, but not the welfare of it citizens. Bring back my generic brand please. I am not waste my $$$ to help making ProAir. Until I read all the complaints, I realise I was not imaging like I told. Unsatisfy customer.

The PROAIR inhaler is a defective product. It caused a very bad rash,sore throat and almost killed me because of it's poor results. The new HFA inhalers are horrible. Only one that seems to help is Ventolin. The rest are pure garbage.

ProAir HFA has hardly anything in the inhaler. The box says "200 Metered Inhalations". The last 2 inhalers I've used gave me less than 30 puffs. I thought the first one must've just been a mistake, but twice in a row? Now I see that others have been having the same problem.

I have been an asthmatic since birth and have relied on fast acting inhalers all of my life. Since the 2009 switching of CFC inhalers to the HFA inhalers I have had more difficulty breathing. The HFA inhalers do not work as well as the CFC not by a landslide. Not only do they not work well they run out much more quickly. I went from using 1 inhaler a month to 2 sometimes 3. The inhalers are also more expensive and my insurance will only pay for 1 per month. I feel as if when they took the CFC inhalers they also took away part if my life.

As they don't work as well so when we go places as a family I have to sit out while everyone else goes on tours and things that require physical activity. I was told by a doctor that all of his patience say the same thing. I feel that if it was necassary for the government to ban CFC inhalers they should have replaced them with an equivalent instead we have been given an expensive less helpful product that will eventually, if it hasn't already, result in the death of someone who needs a rescue inhaler.

I can't rely on it when I am at my worst I have to go to the ER. I never had to do that once with a CFC inhaler in 28 years. It has cost me more money, left me breathless when it was supposed to help me, and continues to effect the quality of my life.

I have moderately severe asthma. The ProAir HFA product was provided to me as an alternative to the Ventolin brand of albuterol by a local pharmacy. The product is labeled as exactly the same dose as the Ventolin brand I had been using for some years prior. The ProAir HFA did not work, and my asthma began flairing over the course of a week. This product is NOT the same and should not be represented by pharmacys as the same. The product did not perform it's job. People die of uncontrolled asthma.

By the 6th day of usage, my chest was so tight, my breathing so shallow I needed to go to the emergency room. I found an almost empty Ventolin container in my drawer with a couple of puffs left. I took the Ventolin and IMMEDIATELY experience a relief of the chest constriction. I am returning the unused PROAIR and filing a complaint with the FDA and the Attorney General.

I new something was wrong the very first time I had to use the Proair HFA inhaler. It never relieves any of the astma symptoms, it feels like it made it worse. I have contacted the FDA and am going to fill out a complaint form. This is the only step I have taken and I am not sure what to do next.

My throat never felt normal since taking this inhaler. I have shortness of breath and my throat was constricting. My wife had to bring me to the hospital because I couldn't breath. This began the process of tests and finally they did an endoscopy. They found that I have Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EE), which is an allergic inflammatory disease. The doctor said it was one of the worse cases he has seen. They also found out I am allergic to CORN (which ethanol is made from)! Everytime I ate corn my throat restricted and then it caused me to have panic attacks. Now I am suffering from panic attacks twice daily.

I quit corn and the ProAir and the doctors are hoping for my esophagus to heal. I have NEVER had so many problems until taking Proair. I feel tired all the time and out of breath over every little thing I do. They put me on Flovent, but it doesn't help for asthma attacks, it is suppose to help to clear the EE and it doesn't have ethanol. If you want more specific details, please call me. Thank you

with the proair inhaler at times you need to pump it more then twice in order for it to work. The physical damage is you need to take at least 3 puffs of the proair inhaler and get rapid heart palpatations and the inhaler doesnt even relief your asthmaic systems

I have insurance, but SOMEBODY is getting ripped-off with these things! I feel sorry for individuals with worse breathing problems than I have, because if this particular brand is being depended-on for a life-and-death situation, God help them!!! I wanted to e-mail the company directly, but, as might be suspected, they don't offer that option.

I have been prescribed an inhaler over the past 3 years. I was first given the Warwick brand which worked fantastic. Early 2009 was the first time I was given the Pro-Air which I found to not work as well. Recently I was in need to go back on the inhaler: went to pharmacy and picked up the new inhaler. Attempted to use it and it malfunctioned every time I depressed the canister. Pharmacist replaced it, continue to have problems with it ejecting medication about 1 out of 5 times. Pharmacist says I need to wash it every time I use it as the new propellant causes a sticky residue to build up. I think it is a bunch of bunk as it would continue to be clogged not work sporadically. I will be lucky if this inhaler lasts a week.

PRO AIR INHALERS

These inhalers are the worst one on the market.

I always run out in about two wks, and my insurance only pays for one a month.

My ashama has gotten worse. I recommend a recall on this product.

Neither one works for me. I can puff and puff and they always feel empty and there is no relief. Including financial because the price rises almost monthly. I could also go on about the cost of test strips for diabetes but what's the use?

FDA Approved inhalers pro air sucks system is always clogging can't get enough and still can't breathe

I first received the new proair inhaler when I dropped off my script for my cfc albuterol inhaler. I thought it changed just like when I received an armstrong one instead of a warwick. Until I had an attack and couldn't get air. They don't work nearly as well and now I need a nebulizer. I've tried Salbutamol and proventolin and nothing works as well as my old inhaler.

I am so disappointed in Proair inhaler The quality and quanntity is next to nothing they last maybe two days you need this medicine to live and there no medicine my nine year cousine is haveing the same problem I pay $25.00 for each inhaler you call customer services and they talk to you like you have two heads I have used inhaler for years and never had this problem I talked with the pharmacist and he saie I should call the manufacture I did and to no avail

I was switched over to ProAir HFA last year and am completely 100% dissatisfied with the new "environmentally friendly" product. I have always used my inhaler when I feel a shortness of breath and in the past my old Albuterol inhaler gave me instant relief. This new ProAir HFA inhaler doesn't relieve my shortness of breath at all and to make matters worse, after using it, I actually start wheezing and coughing. ProAir HFA may be environmentally safe but is not safe for my health. And from what I've read I am not alone.

My doctors all say this is just as effective. Boy!!! have they been brainwashed. Talk about health costs rising, this is a prime example. No generic so we have to pay more and get sick more because they don't work.

Also, when I am already having trouble breathing it is difficult/impossible to take in a deep breath and hold it for ten seconds; this will usually cause a coughing fit and the bronchial spasms will worsen. At the risk of sounding melodramatic, I am frankly very frightened, and feel it is only a matter of time before this forced change to an all but useless medication will kill me. I've heard the words 'criminal' and 'inhumane' bandied about when it comes to this, and I was willing to give these new inhalers a chance... But at this point I can't help but agree with such sentiments.

I also have asthma and was forced to use the "greener" HFA inhaler. I was prescribed Proventil HFA. I have an old "air polluting" CFC Armstrong Albuterol inhaler and the Proventil HFA inhaler. I noticed that when I used the CFC inhaler, I felt better IMMEDIATELY. When I used the HFA inhaler, I did not feel ANY RELIEF AT ALL. I have been using my CFC inhaler very sparingly and have also been taking nebulizer treatments when my asthma flares up

I, too, am having a problem with the ProAir HFA inhaler. When I found your website, it looks like I'm not the only one. I have COPD and have been trying to use it since the first of year. At most it only lasts 2 weeks. I have complained to my Medicare Part D mail order supplier, but haven't heard back from them.

i have had asthma for almost 20 years now. arbuterol has always been there to get me through the bad times. now that it is not available to me, i have had one asthma attack after another. been on prednisones almost all year long which of course has its own side effects. i use xopenex, but somethimes i don't have enough breath in me to inhale it for as long or for as much as i need it.

The new HFA asthma inhalers are not working. I do not understand why the government would put people lives in jeopardy. For 38 years I have used cfc inhalers without any problems. Since the inhalers were switched to the new kind I constantly have to take 4 or 5 puffs.

Having an inhaler that works immediately is a matter of life or death for asthmatics. Everytime I have an attack coming on I fear that the inhaler will not work. Because I have to use so much more medicine( 3 to 4 times more) I spend more for out of pocket expenses since my insurance only pays for one a month. I am appalled that no one has tried to file a class action lawsuit against whoever is responsible. This is going to be a major problem as this continues because it is causing more er visits and even deaths. As I write this I hope that the coughing and tightness in my chest will not have to depend on my new inhaler because if it is like any other time it will take a lot of puffing to breathe easy again.

I'm terrified now because I still need it. I won't be alive for health care reform. I need to breathe and sleep as do all humans. I am not sleeping at night. The government has a new weapon for population control. The people with Asthma will die off much sooner.

Were not going to stop buying the rescue inhaler; so why not raise the price give us something that barely works and keep us coming back. To give us something that actually worked for us would be beneath them because they wouldn't make any money off of a population that's not sick and need the medication that the industry provides.

What happen was all of a sudden when I had to use my "new inhaler" I did not get enough relief or air I needed to breath. I felt devastated and immediately tried to find my old(CFC) Albuterol inhaler, with no luck. What do you think a person goes through after that? Well they sure don't just sit down and things are solved. We still can't breath. I have tried all "approved" inhalers, one I am allergic to and doesn't work, and nether do the others.

I don't care how softer the spray feels, I don't care about cost.I don't care about rules, I don't care about anything else, but the fact of the problem and that is breathing. You can not take the right of a persons life away that enables them to breathe like others. I cant believe some of us have to actually fight for our life in this absurd way.

I have a child who was diagnosed with asthma when she was 2. For over 15 years she has been using an albuterol inhaler as needed to help her breath. In Sept. 2008 we had to take her to the ER with breathing difficulties. The ER gave her a nebulizer treatment and a RX for an inhaler. When I brought the inhaler home, she complained of it "tasting like rotten eggs" and "not working". Thinking that maybe we were given a "bad" inhaler, I returned it to the pharmacy and was given a new one. Again, she said it tasted bad and just didn't work. This went on for a couple weeks,and we ended up using our home nebulizer for treatments.

Fortunately for us, her asthma is seasonal and not something she has to deal with on a daily basis. Fall has rolled around again, and this is her 2 week of asthma symptoms. We have been to the ER, and Dr. This time at the Dr. I specifically requested Albuterol, stating that the PRO-Air tasted bad and seem to not work as well. Her pediatrician said it was the same medicine. I specifically asked the pharmacist for something other than pro-air.

She was given venotlin. We came home, she needed a puff and guess what? Same old thing, bad tasting and DID NOT WORK. Now the taste she can deal with, the failure of the medicine to work she CANNOT. I would love to see the Drs. and Pharmasist tell their child who is not breathing, yes it works, it's the same medicine, just breath it in deeper. How is she suppose to breath the medicine in deeper when she CAN'T BREATH at all. At age 17, she knows what works and what doesn't.

How can Doctors, Pharmasist and Drug companies get away wih passing this failure of a medicine off as a rescue inhaler. The inhaler lays on her bedside table, but our first choice is the nebulizer. I hate it for her, the shaking, the rapid heart rate, the feeling out of control of your own body that comes with the nebulizer treatments. The alternative, puff on the "new, healthy for the ozone inhaler" till you hypervenholate and pass out or die, becaue you can't get a breath. I am looking into places other than the US to buy her inhalers. I don't care what they cost! Knowing that my child is confident that her inhaler will work when she needs it is PRICELESS!

I had a asthma attack, used the proair and got no relief. In the past I would only use it for one puff and that gave me lots of relief. The ProAir I used three puffs and got very little relief. I though maybe I got a bad one so I went back to the drugest and he said the goverment changed the formula,and there was nothing he could do.

HFA asthma inhalers DON'T WORK like the CFC ones did. Dr. gave me a sample ProAir HFA inhaler; after using it I just don't "feel right." It does not work fast in relief either like the Albuterol CFC inhaler worked. For Albuterol I was able to get 4 inhalers for $25 through a Rx plan, but now, one inhaler costs $35+. I can't afford them. I had to buy through a Canadian Rx; I was able to buy 6 for $74 of their generic brand. Not great or good, but it works better than ProAir and much cheaper. The government should allow Albuterol CFC's back.

I had to switch to the more expensive HFA inhaler. This product does not work and I need to over use in order to get it to work. It is ineffective. CFC worked great for 25 years. I wish the FDA and people who passed this regulation could experience an asthma attack and ineffective medication

This product does not work. We need albuterol back. It has less dosages, not as effective and cost more. One does not mind paying for a product that works, it isn't the cost as much as the fact that it does not work

I have had severe asthma all my life. I have been extremely adept at utilizing my medications, including albuterol, to achieve the best quality of life possible. I was exercising 4-5 days a week, often running miles in the hills above Los Angeles (not without effort related to having asthma, however).

In April 2008 I began using Proventil HFA and instantly began a serious downhill decline in health ending with an outright anaphylactic reaction to the inhaler in June 2008 that almost killed me. During the incident, I realized what was happening and managed to consume enough benedryl and find an old, CFC albuterol inhaler to reverse enough of the effects to barely breathe. I was not hospitalized.

Although I was not hospitalized, my life has been truly a living hell since that day. My immune system "went nuts", for want of a better term, that day in June 2008, and my life has been a fight to simply breathe since then. It has also been a fight to "calm down" my immune system and convince it to return to the relative steady state I had achieved through active manipulation of traditional asthma meds, exercise, and nutrition prior to the HFA-ethanol incident.

I am buying most of my medications myself without insurance because they come from outside the country. My effectiveness in my job has been severely compromised, making the stress of my job almost intolerable. Bottom line - a living hell. I'm absolutely exhausted.

I don't know why they took away the good inhalers that worked. Surely there are other things they could take away to cut down on pollution that wouldnt make people worse and limit our activity this much. This is a life and death thing for people like us.

As an asthma sufferer for many years I successfully used CFC asthma inhalers. A year ago my allergist cautioned me about HFC inhalers, that using one could cause me to register DWI if I was ever required to take a breatholizer test. The option of refusing a breatholizer test results in automatic suspension of a driver's license in my state. Living in a remote area it is necessary to use an automobile for transportation.

The danger of registering "high alcohol" as the result of HFC inhalers is one of the best kept secrets around. Fortunately I can cope with asthma without an inhaler, although sometimes I am incapacitated during an asthma episode. I woould rather take this risk than run the risk of being falsely charged with DWI because of the use of an HFC inhaler.

My activities and mobility are limited, due to government regulation against CFC powered inhalers. Because of the unavailability of CFC inhalers I work less, I earn less and pay less in income taxes, so the government regulation is self defeating from their position.

HFA inhalers are only one third as effective as the replaced cfc inhalers. The decision to replace cfc.. was a bureaucratic blunder. The FDA should stick to medical matters and let the EPA do their thing. By the way, only a silly person would think the flurocarbons I previously inhaled was punching holes in the ozone layer. (God save us from government bureaucrats devoting themselves to saving us)

Inhalers are intended to be fast acting medications intended to enable COPD and asthma victims to breath.Hfa inhalers fail this objective miserably.Help.

I can die from asthma because the new inhalers don't work, don't last for the prescribed number of inhales and I cannot afford them. HELP ME!

i am confused how the ozone comes into play with this inhaler. the inhaler is just that. IN HALE. it is not an exhaler. we inhale the medicine. spraying my hair with hairspray makes sense. it sprays into the air. it plays a part with the ozone but inhaling a product? i am confused.

i think everyone who has a complaint about this product is 100% correct. i am getting to the point that the CDC isn't getting a full picture from the pharmacutical companies. that alone is a crime. the cdc should also have specialists in the pharmacutical areas. maybe no one in the CDC and pharmacuticals do not have asthma!

The new inhalers don't work for me. After the CFC inhalers were banned I developed a severe respiratory infection. I nearly died and now I can barely shop for necessities or run the vacuum in the living room. This legislation could very well end my life decades sooner and it has disabled me completely.

HFA inhalers did not help my asthma and created side effects like intermittent tinnitus. I am getting CFC inhalers from a country that can legally make them. Why can't these inhalers be made available for the people who can not tolerate HFA inhalers? This is what a humane society would do.

Pro Air Inhalers do not work. I have Kaiser and they said that it is the only generic product available. I suffer from asthma and when I need to use it doesn't work. When you pump the inhaler the medication goes backwards. After you start using the inhaler after a few times it does not work. Why are medical provides like Kaiser selling defective products? How do manufacturers and medical providers get away with this?

The new HFA inhalers are terrible! They just do not work! I need around 4 puffs from one of these to get the effect of one puff from my old albuterol inhaler. I am wheezing right now and have nothing left as this new inhaler "leaks." I cannot rely on my inhaler anymore and that frightens me. People will die in the midst of an athsma attack because of these sub par inhalers....just wait!! I expect to see a big class action suit in the future, count me in!

the New type of inhaler Pro-Air does not work as well as the CFC-inhalers. Please check into this as there are many consumers who suffer from asthma. Thank you.

I use the product every AM when I get up and I can't tell you how many times this inhaler it's clogged. My pharmacist has told me to run in under water and then let it dry thoroughly..Well, I have used Albuterol inhaler for almost 30 yrs. And never once have I had a problem. When I needed it I used it.. I would hate to be in dire need of using this inhaler as so many times it has been clogged and it is not an inexpensive inhaler.. I think they need to go back to Albuterol until they can perfect this inhaler to work all the time. Not happy with the product.

This doesnt work. I've had asthma my entire life. It's been under control for years. Now I actually NEED an inhaler because I've developed a gluten allergy and this new HFA inhaler doesnt work. I'm not the only one either. My children are suffering now too with it.

We are using far more medication than we ever have before. The quality of my life has diminished because I cant exercise like I used to and am fearful of doing so because I know this inhaler wont work for me when I need it. This needs to be a class action lawsuit on behalf of all the asthma and pulmonary patients in the US. Help us...we're suffering and in some cases, dying. We need out CFC albuterol inhalers back ASAP. Help us.

I need to find an albuterol rescue that does NOT have sulfates. Any ideas.

The new inhalers do not work for me. They do not have the 200 puffs as the label says. My last inhalers lasted at least 3 weeks to one month. This new enviromental inhaler does not last even 2 weeks. I get one a month. My breathing this year has become very serious. The inhaler gets tuck all the time. And the recommended puffs do not give any relief. Infact I rarely get any kind of relief. They also cost twice as much as the old inhalers. And the dosage was cut from 17g-20g to just only 8.5g, no wonder they dont work.

I have tried the HFA inhalers and they do not work. The cost for HFA inhalers is also completely ridiculous! I believe that it is a scam by the FDA to acquire more money. I do not believe in or have ever believed in the FDA. They do not care about people's health or safety. They are greedy and they need regulation.

Just like everyone else on this website, I am writing to complain vehemently about these inhalors. Since the removal of CFC's, these inhalors stop working after about 10-20 uses. The consumer is paying twice as much and getting nothing back but more bronchial problems. I have returned at least 2 to my pharmacy, which the pharmacist reluctanly replaced. I thought maybe I was doing something wrong with the units until I went online today and found this website. Now I feel more ripped-off than ever. While I am concerned about the effect of aerolsols on the evironment, I am more concerned about what the lack of it in these inhalors is doing to my health. There must be a better solution for rescue inhalors than ProAir HFA. I think this product should be taken off the market and the consumer recompensed in some manner.

Was recently switched to the HFA Pro Air Albuterol inhaler. Had been using the CFC Albuterol for several decades. I'm a life long asthmatic and the CFC inhalers have been great, but these HFA inhalers like everyone else has mentioned take 3,4,5 puffs to get the any effect. I'm competitive athlete(cycling) and depend on the instant relief I receive from the CFC inhalers. It's a quality of life issue and it's also an economic one as I now spend 10 times as much for my drugs as I did a year ago. I feel for those with COPD or other chronic states as the HFA inhalers are borderline worthless. Only the astmatics and those that have other breathing disorders can understand how serious this problem is. If you can't breath you can't function. Oxygen is the bodies main source of energy, without it you won't last long.

HFA inhalers (Proventil HFA and Pro Air HFA) do not work. Proventil inhaler has a way of getting stuck and even with periodic washing, the inhaler won't dispense which is a major problem when trying to use in an emergency.

I've had numerous asthma exacerbations over the course of the past year when I switched over from CFC inhalers to HFA. My asthma was fully controlled previously. Now, it is as if i'm sick all the time and it is as if I am not using any inhaler at all. I'm currently doing more research on other new alternative methods to managing my asthma because these "rescue" inhalers are not rescuing. Oleic acid in the Proventil inhaler seems to exacerbate heart palpitations and the "HFA" part is what I'm allergic to and makes me cough even more. Is the environmental officials trying to eradicate asthmatics? I am desperate. I also loaded up on CFC's up until i couldn't obtain them anymore in the US. Now, that I'm out, I have been getting very sick and cannot run, hike or bike anymore. The government should never ban something until you find an appropriate replacement. Some people are allergic to the propellant in the new inhalers. You have to have other options made available.

This product is a rip-off. My pulmmonary doctor recommended ProAir HFA to be used in place of my nebulizer (when away from home) along with other inhalers to control my COPD. I believe they only half filled the ProAir inhaler because it ran out within two weeks. I went back to the pharmacy and complained that I paid a $30.00 co-pay and it didn't last as long as the others. The pharmacy suggested I make a complaint. The FloVent that I used in conjunction with ProAir has a counter which displays the number of puffs remaining before it's empty. They were both used the same amount of time, and FloVent has at least another two weeks of mecication remaining.

I found out that I couln't buy a CFC Asthma inhaler and instead was given a HFA Asthma inhaler. I had severe bronchospasm that lasted for several hours. I want to get the CFC Asthma Inhalers back on the market

I am in stage iv of emphysema and I'm suffering.

These new Pro Air Inhalers have nearly been the death of me during attacks. I am now a severe Asmatic as well as having Copious Flem. I have had to reach up to my Husband's hand as I am passing out on our Floor. I have to spray the Pro Air in my mouth but cannot get the propellent in to my Chest. I am going to die if someone does not reverse this law and give us back the Rescue Inhalers. This product does not work or I need to use many sprays to even begin to open me up. Many people are going to die and I'd like to know how many have already died or had brain damage due to loss of of our ability to get the Airways open in time. I'm sure many have dies already. God help us as I know I've become very sick and cannot function.

Also I cannot get more then 50+ sprays from these new inhalers. I buy 4-5 times as much to get thru a month and they don't help enough to feel I won't die during my next spell. Who the heck thought this worked to change the Propellant in our Rescue Inhalers. Rescue is gone and replaced by Fear of unknown time of death.

Janie

I have had asthma for years now and when my old inhaler was deemed "not friendly to the environment" I, like many of my fellow asthma sufferers received a Pro Air HFA inhaler. I was not happy about it but was determined to live with it (breathing is a pretty important neccesity after all....). I receive one a month with 200 doses and so far I have not been able to even get 2 weeks worth of medication from these inhalers. Last week I finally had enough and went to my pharmacy. They filled another perscription (more money I had to spend) and it worked until 2 days ago. This time it didn't even last a week! Does anyone out there know if there is a class action suite against this company?? If so I would very much like to add my name to the list of plaintiffs.

Pro Air inhaler. This product is the worst inhaler that I have ever been forced to use. I am forced because there is no alternative in the form of a rescue inhaler like albuterel. I have been using this since it was the replacement and have always had problems. It either does not expell any medicine, backfires on my tongue leaving it with a rash and soar, or the thing just does not work. I get the fact with the ozone layer thing but I'm positive someones life will be the outcome. My asthma has been the worst it's ever been because I can never get a full dose of meds. I have had bronchitis more times been up nights and use my nebulizer more then ever before because of this piece of junk PRO AIR INHALER. If someone out there is listening please help us. It's a terrible feeling when you really really really need to use your inhaler for relief and you get NOTHING.

proair hfa is the worst rescue inhaler i have ever used.it is junk.it does not work properly at all-and i have had visits to the e.r.since i was switched to this product.their are millions of people in the boat as i am,and i want to know what it will take for action to be taken?

I am not doing this out of "effect", I really am having an attack, so if this becomes out of focus, please forgive me.

After having problems with my own HFA inhaler such as: low dosage, dosage blocked by the mouth piece (this is also a reason why HFA makes claims that you have to clean the inhaler more, also why people might claim lower available dosing--since there is enough of the dose that doesn't make it past the pin head sized spray hole, the dosage actually starts to clog the hole up after drying on it), instructions to "breath in harder" are unrealistic; if we are gasping for air now, how much "harder" should we have to breathe in to use our Rescue inhaler?

I have been diagnosed with COPD, due to no fault of my own (non-smoker born with a bad lung and chronic bronch/pnuemonia), so I cannot say that my asthma was completely under control before HFA came out, but I can say that I haven't gone through an entire "old style" inhaler in a weekend because it wasn't working. I can say that my new (as of Friday afternoon) HFA inhaler is now defunct (as of Sunday 3 am) and I have started on my 2nd HFA inhaler in almost as many days.

When we, the affected, have troubles breathing we Really really have troubles; and gasping like a fish drowning in air does not make for a forced inhalation. Right now typing makes me dizzy. I lie. Right now not moving make me dizzy; the typing is just something to keep me from collapsing.

So, yes, I do have a complaint about the HFA inhalers. They are in-effective for everything expect for making the people that passed the law feel better about themselves so they could put an "enviromentally friendly" sticker on their resume.

Dear kind reader, please do not worry about me. I am about to take a nebulizer treatment; something that everyone I know that has to take one as a last resort rescue medication when their HFA won't even come out of the box and sprays only to clog the exit way of the dosage. I will take a nebulizer treatment right after I press send. I promise. The reason why we use these as last resorts? Because the side-effects make us ill. Not sick, not "don't feel good"; ill. Rapid heart, severe dizziness, weakness, and a general sense of "thank god, I can breath...now let me throw up and shake in my bed."

Beats suffercating though, but then again, we didn't need to feel these wretched side effects until we had our own usual protection of our Albuterol inhalers; you know, the ones that worked for the patient, the one that is ill, not the resume of some button pusher.

When Asthma becomes the illness of the rich, I do believe we'll have our old inhalers back, but until then, I can only thank you for recording my complaint and giving everyone a forum to express theirs...and thank you for not making us all use a phone number!

The new inhalers do not provide relief at all. I was well under control and have had severe asthma for years but these new inhalers are not working. Something has to be done.

I have asthma and have used the over-the-counter CFC inhaler Primatene Mist for about 30 years and have usually had excellent and quick results (about 99% of the time) but needed to buy a prescription recently because of the fact that I could not find Primatene Mist any where in the stores. I used Proventil which made my asthma worse! I needed to take puff after puff which had no quick result, yet caused my asthma to continue to get worse over time. I rely on Primatene Mist and have done so for approx. 30 years, I would like to see it stay available for poor people like me who can not use alternative medicines to regulate their asthma. Thanks.

I have had "well controlled" asthma for nine years. Since removing CFC Albuterol inhalers, I have had NO RELIEF from the HFA rescue inhalers prescribed to take their place. There are many asthma patients complaining about the exact same problem with the HFA inhalers. I have very little left of an old CFC inhaler, which works every time I have an asthma attack. I have tried to take the new ones up to six times after an attack with no relief at all. When my CFC Albuterol runs out, I am going to be in serious trouble. This will mean emergency trips to the hospital, very frequent medical care and time missed from work; and that's as long as my attacks don't become fatal.

Think of the people that havent found this site. I have made numerous complaints to the pharmacies and doctors. The only ones that insist that ProAir works are the non-asthmatics.

I have been using proair every since albuterol was discontinued due to the ozone issues, I get a prescription for proair 200 metered inhalations, I have been going thru an inhaler every two weeks, I decided to start counting my usage, 4 times in a row I only used 36 puffs and it was empty, My doctor says I am over using it , There is something wrong with this situation because I know how often I use it. My doctor will not give me refills because of this, Not to mention that I have to pay $47.00 every two weeks. I do believe this should be looked into, I feel as though I'm being taken advantage of, and by reading all the other complaints I am not the only one.

I'm sure you've heard it all before but I wanted to add my voice to the mounting complaints about the new HFA inhalers. I find it is not as effective and it gets easily clogged. You have to try to breathe really deeply to get any relief from it and if you're having a serious attack, this is impossible. I would like the government to lift the ban on the old inhalers and give me my asthma relief back!!

I would like to know if anyone else has this problem. Please Please people, keep a tally and report back, this is definitely impacting our pocketbooks, and on top of that it may be fraud. You have to be religious about it, one puff = one puff, if you use two at a time, mark it down as two. I WILL be calling the manufacturer with batch numbers, I'm not throwing these out until it's resolved. The pharmacy didn't seem terribly concerned but I know something isn't right with these inhalers above and beyond the fact that they don't help the asthma symptoms.

Like the other comments I just read on your website, these new HFA inhalors by ProAir are worthless. My old ones worked great and gave me immediate relief... I get little to none with this new one, and am now having to exceed the recommended dosages to get a little releif. Bring back the old style

CFC's removed from rescue inhalers, daily constant asthma, prevents me from being able to find a job and go to work. I would like to know what procedures I need to take to become considered fully disabled as an asthmatic since I can barely function on an everyday basis because of my asthma. My old inhaler quit working for me and new inhalers make me cough terribly.

The government wants this change that affects my quality of living as a normal person. I cannot live like a normal person having asthma and believe it is now time for the government to assist me so that I may have a place to live while I struggle to breath everyday.

My personal social security report says I can get up to $3000 on full disability and I believe I should qualify for every penny to pay rent, utilities, vehicle expenses, and finally get the medical care I need to cover the numerous inhalers it is going to require for me to get by - 1 inhaler just won't do it anymore. PLEASE GET BACK TO ME ON HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING DISABILITY PAYMENTS SO I CAN QUIT BORROWING MONEY I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO PAY BACK.

I cannot afford the new inhalers which are $80 more ($126 plus tax) than the one I've used since I was 12 years old, nor can I physically get out and get a job anymore because I am constantly out of breath. I have to rest constantly after everything I do. Even after a shower I need to rest before I can continue to do my makeup and hair and must take several breaks throughout a day.

Since the advent of the HFA inhalers, I am NOT getting as good of results as with the CFC inhalers

I am very disappointed in Pro-air, This medication is a rescue inhaler it doesn't work It cause me to have a severe asthmas attack its suppose to rescue me from having an attack it didn't

I have a touch of asthma and bronchitis. the doctor had me on albutaral for years and really helped me. now that they did away with it and replaced it with hfa, my condition has gone back to square one. i hope the idiots that had albutaral off the market, have to prop there self up in bed at night to breath, to get some sleep as i have to.

Wow! It's SO nice to know that I am not the only one experiencing this! I've been using inhalers for 22 years, and I absoultely agree that these HFA inhalers are terrible! Taste & cost aside- They DO NOT work! I did have VERY manageable asthma. I would use 1 inhaler about every 2-3 months or so. I now go through 2 inhalers PER month, and my quality of life has gone rapidly downhill!

Telling long term asthmatics that they, basically, don't know how to administer their own medicine is a JOKE!

Absolutely cannot tolerate HFA inhalers since the inception of changeoever in Jan '09 to HFAs from CFCs. Since the FDA won't budge and neither will the Administration about this, have decided to venture to a SAFER, HEALTHIER, asthma ALTERNATIVE that I once used when I was "tried" first on Proventil (non-stop coughing, had to stop that)the last half of 2007 then to this more expensive alternative and will report this healthier option which has also helped COPD, Emphysema and asthma patients when I referred a few of my friends and their friends. If the FDA and the Administration don't bother to have their ear to the ground to the complaints of over 300 people (must be hundreds more since March of this year!), then it is time to turn one's back on the regulators of Western medicine and go in another direction.

After roughly twenty squeezes from Flovent HFA ll0 mcg, nothing comes out. I have washed, toothpicked the openings to unclog them - frustrating. My lungs are suffering, they're getting older. I have written GlaxoSmith Kline. I have yet to receive a response.

I have used a couple of the new HFA inhalers and not getting the relief I was with Albuterol CFA inhalers. It is just down right scarey to have an asthma attack and get no relief, I have been sick more since CFA inhalers were discontinued.

This doesn't work. Period. I have bad asthma and I have to use my rescue inhaler more often than once every couple of days. Since the makers of inhalers took CFCs out of them, they have ceased to work for me. I gasp like a guppy all the time these days.

My grandmother is on her last CFC inhaler and she will either go to the hospital or die when this is gone. The HFA inhaler is COMPLETELY USELESS!! My grandmother just told me that an ashmatic attack is like being suffocated with pillows until you cannot breathe! Whoever reads this, please go to savecfcinhalers.org and SIGN THE PETITION and get everyone you know to do the same!! We can beat this!!

I recently filed a complaint with against Pro Air. This is an update - a 88 year old friend is on the same inhaler. She ran out in 2 weeks after only using it 2 times a day. She called our local pharmacy and they called the company who makes it. The representative said there are 200 puffs in each one, and that even though it appears that it is empty, there is still some in it. Well yesterday there was NOTHING left and she couldn't get her primary care physician to renew it until Monday - - - the company is covering it's back, so to speak. This is NOT right. People who use these inhalers have either allergies, asthma, or some sort of breathing problem. This company is 'playing' with our lives. SHAME ON THEM!!!!

Product is useless; doesn't work even a little bit! Tried to use this inhaler when I experienced shortness of breath, but to no avail. This product is horrible! Take off of market.

Prescribed Proventil HFA Inhaler and the product is useless. Never worked to help relieve my symptoms; nasty tasting. Because of this products inability to work to control myasthma, my asthma and life is deteriorating; please bring the old inhalers back.

The Ventolin HFA Inhaler; 90MCG is very ineffective. Product doesn't work to help control my asthma. Rescue Inhaler....NO! Consequences are frequent asthma attacks with no relief from the Ventolin HFA Inhaler. Please take off the market. Bring CFC inhalers back!

The product does not help me with my breathing as the old Albuterol did. although the FDA thinks it is environmentally friendly it will cost the lives of many people. Further, claiming to have 200 doases I havecounted 56 and therefore my insurance will not coverthis and my breathing is now impaired.

The product does not help me with breathing as the old Albuterol did. although the FDA thinks it is environmentally friendly it will cost the lives of many people. Further, claiming to have 200 doases I havecounted 56 and therefore my insurance will not coverthis and my breathing is now impaired.

I am an asthmatic I have not completely stopped wheezing since December of 2008. This is when I discovered that I had to purchase a newer more expensive asthma inhaler, the Proair. I have had asthma since I was seven years old, and have been on all kinds of different medications. Some worked and some did not, and Proair does not. When I asked my pharmacist for my old brand I was informed that it had CFC's and could no longer be sold in the United States.

I find it very hard to believe that my inhaler seriously threatened the environment. I have to use three times as much medicine to get my breathing under control, and I simply do not have the money to afford this as I am a resent college grad, with a low paying job, in a recession economy. The website for the company tells consumers to simply clean the inhaler to reduce this problem,

I am writing you today with a brand new out of the box inhaler that I just had to use six times. My old inhaler would have taken care of the problem in one. I have told my doctor that it feels as though the medicine "weights less". It doesn't seem to move throughout the lungs, but I can only speak as a consumer, a patient, and a fish out of water.

I want a green environment but not one that I can't breath in. I have always believed that my doctors and country had my best interests at heart. I feel like on the front of the environment that there are bigger fish to fry than those of us with asthma and allergies. My parents and I recycle, but this inhaler has to work better before it is our only option. Until you can't breath you will never know what that fear is like, never are we so helpless as when our own bodies betray us.

It seems the new Pro Air is not lasting as long as it should with the prescription given for daily use, AND it doesn't seem to give enough of the medication (Arbuterol ?) as the older ones did. This is disturbing to myself, and a number of friends who are using it for allergies and asthma. You are given a month prescription only to find it runs out before, and you don't even have to be using it as directed, - my friend and I only use it 'as needed' - no more than 2 times a day - prescription is for 3 times a day - - - the company who makes this 'new' product needs to get a grip and fix this problem!!!!! It is expensive on a monthly basis and is the cost even tho it is covered by insurance. Limited income people are struggling, fearing it will run out before the new renewal date!!!! This is not right!!!

We were told to clean it and let it dry over-night. He does have a second inhaler (same manufacturer), but it's just as weak. This is a death sentence to all who are dependent on a rescue inhaler when they can't breathe. You really can't appreciate how bad it is until you can't breathe.

Pharmacist told me my albuterol inhaler was replaced by this ProAir HFA inhaler.

I have had THREE ProAir HFA inhalers that are defective and do not spray product when they are new.

ProAir HFA Inhaler is a dangerous and fatally flawed replacement for a rescue inhaler. I have asthma and COPD but it has been easily controlled until the switch to this fraud of a prescription inhaler due to the EnviroFreaks who say CFCs can't be used any more.

BALDERDASH - If you have contacts in Mexico you can still get CFC-powered inhalers there !
But to return to my immediate concern; today I was working in the back yard when a house a few doors away fired up their wood stove since the temperature had dropped and I inhaled the smoke.
My lungs reacted very badly and that damned ProAir was TOTALLY USELESS.

TEN PUFFS DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING !!!

I would have had to call an ambulance if I had not had the presence of mind to get into the house and use the power nebulizer we have had - just in case - and used it.

Even the literature that comes with the ProAir package notes that the idiotic crap does not expel the medication as forcefully as previous medications.

Then what the hell is it good for when an asthmatic - IN CRISIS - is already having trouble and can't get his or her breath to begin with????

Already ProAir has admitted that their product is defective, right off the bat. An asthmatic can not get the relief needed since the product will not be expelled forcefully enough for the patient to inhale enough of it to survive the attack.

I only hope that LEGAL CLASS ACTION is taken in the near future against NOT ONLY THE MANUFACURER AND DISTRIBUTOR but also AGAINST THE ENVIRO-NAZIS who have foisted this DEADLY DANGEROUS piece of crap upon those of us who need relief from asthma or similar lung disease.

I was wondering if any thing had been done for the people that can not use the HFA we need CFC back i am prettymuch home bound had finally started lossing wieght 22lbs no i can't exercize because then i can't breath

I take 4 inhalers, albertal, provental, flunisolide, an foradil. They taste so bad an if I don't rince my mouth after taking 2 of them I can get thrash mouth. I swear I feel worse since started taking these then before I did. can't breath, breathing is worse an constant heart burn, to the point that I get sick an it choke's off my air supply.

My 15 year old son is in the hospital fighting for his life because his ProAir inhaler fell to work properly.

My son has not had a severe asthma attack in at least 5 years. When we had his last prescription refilled (different pharmacy than usual), we were given ProAir HFA. When I questioned the pharmacist as to why the inhaler was different, he indicated that the old inhaler was no longer on the market because of environmental concerns.

Six days ago, my son started having tightness in his chest and a cough, so he used his emergency inhaler (ProAir), just as he has used his other inhalers for years now; usually after a few treatments he is fine. But, not this time. I noticed that he didn't experience relief like before with his other inhalers. But I continued to increase the frequency of the treatments. He didn't get better, but progressively worst.

He was taken to his doctor and sent to the hospital where he was admitted. I am angry that when telling the nurses, doctors, pharmacist, and other asthma suffers of my suspicions of his ProAir pump not working properly, they ALL had similar stories or received the same complaints. I am outrage that this product is still on the market.

This is a life-threatening concern. Something has to be done about getting this off the market. My son is not responding to treatment in the hospital as quickly as he should be and usually does. I wonder now if he has had other effects from ProAir that's delaying his recovery.

My story is a lot like everyone else. I lucked out in that our pharmacist called me on the last day of 2008 and said she had 2 old style inhalers for me. Now i am about out and worried i may be going to the hospital soon, I will see if i can get switched over to a nebulizer.

This product (ProAir HFA) is useless. Please bring back Albuteral!!

The new inhalers don't work worth crap and they smell and taste like paint so I really don't see how that's better for the environment.

I have recently been switched over to the new ProAir HFA inhaler in February 2009. I have since then had two severe flus that start out with bad asthma attacks and sore throats. I agree with most people on this website that the HFA is not as effective as my old Albuterol inhaler. What surprised me though is that it not only is ineffective but it also can cause more asthmatic symptoms by irritating my throat and causing me to cough more. Just as early as this past Thursday and Friday I was having trouble coughing.

I used like 3-4 puffs of the ProAir HFA both nights to try and get my coughing under control. It didn't help me at all. I had to resort to the narcotic cough syrup Tusenix to get any relief and then on Saturday I started to get a massively sore throat. It ached on the right side the most and it was sore to swallow and the coughing that singles my asthma is acting up did not lighten up until I finally did a little research on line and discovered that ProAir is known to cause sore throats in about 14% of 100 users AS well as ear aches - which I was starting to seriously suffer from.

After reading that I am never going to use the ProAir again. I went and dug out my good old Albuterol which hasn't run out yet, did two puffs of that and my sore throat was gone by the next day and my coughing was under much better control.

I recently purchased the ProAir inhaler. Previously, I used a Proventil CFC inhaler. Not only does it not give relief for my exercise induced asthma (it feels like I didn't use an inhaler at all--same old burning pain in the lungs and wheezing), my throat feels like it is irritated and itchy for hours. I have scheduled an appoinment with my doctor to explore other medical options. I used to be able to inhale just before vigorous exercise two to three times a week; now I no longer have that simple option.

The new ProAir HFA inhalers are an insult to the health of Americans. This was clearly a move for profit, and not for concern about anything other than that. Within two puffs, the inhalers immediately becomes clogged and must be thoroughly cleaned if expected to function again. This is real helpful when outside or away from water.

Shame on the government for allowing these companies to take advantage of consumers that need these in life in death situations.

But most importantly, shame on ProAir HFA and Teva for realizing the problem and continuing to do nothing whatsoever to remedy the situation.

Likely someone very soon will die from an asthma attack that could have been easily prevented with an appropriate inhaler like we all had for many years with no problem whatsoever. Then the ensuing lawsuit against the manufacturers and the government will force a decision that should have been made long ago.

Shame on everyone involved.

Thank you.

I am finding that the new HFA inhalers do not work as effectively or efficiently as the CFC inhalers did. I have had asthma for most of my life, I am now 42 years old and I have noticed a great difference in how theses new inhalers work. I know it is good for the environment to use HFC inhalers but at what cost. Is the Ozone layer more important than the lives of thousans of asthmatics who are in jeopardy with a product that in not effective. I know the reopts issued by the FDA and Lung Association do cooroborate this, but my lungs tell me otherwise.

more difficulty breathing. Need to use HFA inhaler muliple times to get same effect as 2 puffs with a CFC inhaler.

Ok I never really had asthma my whole life. Recently I have had a bit of a breathing problem due to my anxiety disorder and my panic attacks so I was ordered to use inhalers to try to relieve the symptoms. So i had laying around my house my wifes old CFC inhaler and was using it with beautiful results!! I haven't felt this relieved of my symptoms in 2 years so I thought great! So eventually the inhaler ran out. So I got a prescription for this weird inhaler I have never heard about but thought, "its an inhaler, how different can it be??" well I now know the difference and wish I would have known about the change!! I would have Stocked up on the old ones.

At this very moment its 3:23am in the morning suffering with asthma and this new So called (RESCUE INHALER) has proven to be more useless than those old brick cell phones!! What am I to do? Order tons of the old medicine from other countries?? What is this county coming to when we the people are not as important the ozone? I took 2 doses as prescribed primed, cleaned, all the crap they say and well if they worked why would I be wasting my time posting a complaint! I am a father of a 9 month old boy and should be asleep but of course I am barely felling any relief. I took more than prescribed and it seems like NONE was entering into my lungs, like a fish out of water! This is the most Ridicules and idiotic thing I think I have ever heard about from the fda and bla bla. I studied a few websites and read what they believe the old inhaler's hurt the ozone? What a Country!!!!!

I have never had asthma this bad UNTIL I started to use this ProAir HFA. Poison in a can as I see it, with chemicals that have not been proven to work and other ingredients in the mix that make NO sense. I am only 23, im young and dont feel I should suffer because of the ozone. Like I read somewhere, what about the trucks, racing cars, motorcycles, boats, really ANY motor vehicle. They believe by changing 1 thing, (inhalers) is going to save the environment then it really shows the intelligence of the people we have controlling the products. FDA. We are the people, NOT them and I, me, mabey just me, am sick and tired of being controlled!! Now we cant chose inhalers??

I have astham and had my first asthma attack since sept 08 the weekend of 4/10/08. They've always been pretty mild, however due to the change in the law I had no choice but to use the Proair HFA inhaler which made things worsen very quickly. I thought I was going to die. If I had not had a neubulizer in the home with the meds available, there would be a lawsuit filed right now. That inhaler DOES NOT WORK!

I have had asthma for about 15 years and know relief when I feel it, I know how to read a pamphlet and work my inhalers. This inhaler was brand new, primed amd supposedly ready for action. I had to take it twice as much to get enough relief in order to get on the neubilizer. I was scared. I called mr Dr's off the following Monday and explined what happened, to be told it's the same medication as the old CFC inhalers. The hell it is.

ALL of my old CFC inhalers worked. This piece of crap they issued is not. Then o make matters worse my insurance told the Dr they would not approve any other inhaler for me to try. So basically you are telling me that until I DIE - you won't look into this matter with both eye open? I am keeping records of every and anything i can find on the web/newspapers/medical journals/etc in regards to the ineffectiveness of these inhalers. Unfortunately I feel that my relief will only come in the form of tragedy to make the companies open their eyes. If I die God forbid, due to my inhaler not working or being empty even though I had not used it - everyone involved from the Dr's to the manufacturer's will be sued. That is my last wish as of today.

I have been having a problem breathing since 04/10/2009. I now live in constant fear of another asthma attack that will end with my death because the inhaler does not work for fast relief as it should.

had a choak up and when useing fast acting hfa i turned blue and became worse, it took about two hr's to get back to how it was befor taking the sec. puff on the fast action hfa, wated about an hour and tryed it again, same choak up- turn blue, called the DR. he said not to take anything. just have to stay on advair.

Just way to expencive cost wise.
need more testing as i feel it almost killed me.

when you cant breath you know your dead.

To whom it may concern: I am 51 year old female with Multiple Sclerosis. When I catch a cold, I suffer with asthma. In October I got my presecription renewed and received at the old CFC inhaler of albuterol. My cat Lucy also has asthma which I did not know is common in cats. In January I renewed her prescription for albuterol. I give her albuterol as a rescue inhaler and Flovent twice daily, an inhaled steroid.

In January Lucy's symptoms worsened. I have had to rush her to the emergency vet several times to be placed in oxygen for 24 hours. Her albuterol, her rescue inhaler was not working anymore. I was beside myself. Being confined due to my MS, my pets are the world to me. I had no idea what was wrong. The vet exrayed her lungs and discovered they were severely inflammed now. I investigated her medication and discovered that HER inhaler is different.

Because of global warming the U.S. has banned the old propellant inhalers. Yesterday I brought her home from the vet semi stable and used MY inhaler on her, the old CFC one. It worked immediately. I only have 197 sprays left in my old CFC inhaler. I will need to use it twice daily for Lucy for two weeks to open her airways so the steroids can take effect. The new inhaler does not open her airways. I contacted the Lung Association. They told me the reason people were having problems with the new inhalers was due to psychosomatic dependancy. I explained to them that Lucy was not a person but a cat. She does not know the difference between a CFC inhaler and a HFA inhaler. The environmentally friendly ones do not work for her. What will I do if I need one? T

hey told me to try a nebulizer which is a small suitcase to carry around with me if the new ones do not work and if that doesn't work call 911. Whereas before I did not have to go into respiratory arrest because my CFC albuterol opened my airways. But now they have been banned. The Lung Association suggested this for Lucy. I told them that possibly, just possibly, this propellant mixed with the albuterol is what helps some people and obviously animals. They gave me no answer.

I asked the vet about putting her on a nebulizer but the vet told me that nebulizers do not work for animals with her condition.I t What do I do when my old inhaler runs out for Lucy which will be in about 2 months? Do I just watch her suffocate to death? I called Canada, India and Mexico searching for the old CFC inhalers. They won't ship them to me because it's illegal now. Please help me. I don't know what to do. I can't sit back and watch her die. I am beyond heartbroken Please help.

Since switch to hfa inhalers my asthma has been way out of control; i thought it was weight gain, yes i am obese, but i didn't have as much problems with the old cfc inhalers; i've been short of breath; any type of exertion causes me to feel light-headed, short of breath; just taking a shower, a shower, or walking to down the stairs to my vehichle and i feel like i'm going to pass out; i use the hfa inhaler and have to sit still just trying to get enough air into my lungs

the old cfc inhalers cost approx. $20 for 200 metered inhalations; with the hfa the price has more than doubled; wal-mart sells ventolin for $9 but only has 60 metered inhalations; i've gone thru 3 inhalers in 2 weeks where as with cfc inhalers would last a month to 1.5 months;

I just want to emphasize how awful these new inhalers are. How betrayed I feel that the FDA has recieved so many complaints and continues to beleive that the ozone is more important than all asthmatics including myself being able to breathe.

My asthma has been controlled for about 7 years. I considered myself so lucky that I finally has stopped visiting the ER whenever I fell short of breath and my CFC inhaler didn't come to the rescue. I see myself heading down that path once more. These HFA inhalers do nothing for me.

As all my fellow asthmatics know, breathing is the most difficult in the morning and my old CFC inhaler used to make that tightness disappear almost immediately. I find myself abusing this HFA inhaler to find even the slightest relief. So is the FDA saying it's okay for me to have to abuse a medicine as long as the earth is spared? Why don't we start by regulating the type of cars that auto makers are allowed to manufacture, or the diesel trucks moving around from point A to point B. Heck, lets just shut down factories while we are at it. I find it incredibly hard to beleive that my CFC inhaler which worked for me and millions of others was taken off the market before aerosol hairsprays and deoderants. I guess that makes a lot of sense...I can smell okay and my hair can look impeccable but I am not afforded the luxury of breathing...let's not forget outward appearance is everything. What a joke!!!

This is not a rescue inhaler. I have had asthma for 32 years, have always maintained control through health and occassional use of my Albuterol inhaler. I cannot get my breathing under control since filling my prescription for the HFA inhaler. Every day I have more attacks and use it more often. It's become a vicious cycle over the last 60 days. I now have an assigned Respiratory Therapist and see another specialist in 5 days for more alternatives for additional medication.

Upon use of my new ProAir HFA inhaler, I did not get any relief from my asthma symptoms. It also caused my lungs to burn and gave me a severe headache.

Lets face it...the new HFA inhalers are pure CRAP! Most people who suffer from Asthma like me,Cannot take slow,deep breaths when they are having an asthma attack,or trouble breathing. Apparently they did not understand this when they released these obviously inferior inhalers.Im all for helping the enviroment,and going green.But when it effects my health,and my sons health I say screw it all!

I find it highly,highly unlikely that the old CFC normal inhalers affects the ozone.Thats just nonsense.What about hair spray? What about the cooking spray? What about the thousands of cars that pollute the air? What about all those factory shooting that crap in air,you are telling me all those things are safer than my little CFC normal inhaler? What a laughable concept this is.

CFC cost me 10 bucks with my insurance,now the new HFA crap costs me 50 bucks? 50 dollars for a little piece of crap,that dont work.Oh wait...according to the FDA,& the government,its the same kind of inhaler,and we just are not using it right. WHAT?!!!! I have had asthma for 20 + years,and they are telling me I dont know how to use an inhaler. What a crock of cow manure!

They know these inhalers are crap.They tested them on people who only showed some asthma symptoms.But yet again the FDA,the crooked bastards that they are,gets there way.I switched over to a nebulizer.I can get my nebulizer for 10 bucks.Works 10 times better than the HFA Crap.I take my nebulizer everywhere with me.I bought a adapter for my car cigarette lighter(costs about 20 bucks at walmart),changes my car into a a wall outlet!

i can take my nebulizer in the car,lol It might be an inconvience for some,but i look at it like this...inconviece,or being able to breathe. Hopefully they bring back the CFC inhalers,or at least find a better Solution.HFA dont work.thousands of people are saying the same thing.Why arent our voices being heard? They cant ignore us forever.How many people has to suffer,or even die until our gorvernment takes notice?

Most people who suffer from Asthma like me, Cannot take slow, deep breaths when they are having an asthma attack, or trouble breathing. Apparently they did not understand this when they released these obviously inferior inhalers. Im all for helping the enviroment,and going green. But when it effects my health, and my sons health! I find it highly, highly unlikely that the old CFC normal inhalers affects the ozone. Thats just nonsense. What about hair spray? What about the cooking spray? What about the thousands of cars that pollute the air?

CFC cost me 10 bucks with my insurance,now the new HFA costs me 50 bucks? Oh wait...according to the FDA & the government, its the same kind of inhaler and we just are not using it right. WHAT? I have had asthma for 20 + years, and they are telling me I dont know how to use an inhaler. They tested them on people who only showed some asthma symptoms. I switched over to a nebulizer. I can get my nebulizer for 10 bucks. Works 10 times better than the HFA. I take my nebulizer everywhere with me. I bought a adapter for my car cigarette lighter (costs about 20 bucks at walmart), changes my car into a a wall outlet! i can take my nebulizer in the car,

It might be an inconvience for some, but i look at it like this inconviece, or being able to breathe. Hopefully they bring back the CFC inhalers, or at least find a better Solution. HFA dont work. thousands of people are saying the same thing. Why arent our voices being heard? They cant ignore us forever. How many people has to suffer, or even die until our gorvernment takes notice?

I have not had the difficulty with effectiveness with the HFA inhalers, and although I do find the doubled copay from my insurer obnoxious, I have discovered that the inhalers appear to be defective.

That is, once the inhaler is first used they are pretty much dead after 30 days, whether they are used once or a hundred times. They are supposed to be 200 puff inhalers. The MOST I have ever gotten from one is about 100, or HALF the expected product.

Worse, because my doctor is computerized, she is of the opinion that I use the inhalers too often -- because they wear out and run out long before I have used them up. She assumess that a replacement inhaler means I have used 200 doses . . . and she has restricted access to the inhalers on this basis!

This is a PRODUCT DEFECT that is CHEATING the USERS and INSURERS. There may be issues with the strength of the propellent, but in part they run out fast because the sprayer is apparently defective.

I strongly suggest you log each usage of an inhaler, and return any that were defective and contain significantly less than the 200 puffs claimed.

Excess payments for medication; seems a likely opportunity for a class action against the manufacturer for a short-weight consumer fraud and defective product (leaking inhaler).

The medication in the new eco friendly inhaler IS NOT effective in relieving my bronchospasm that are secondary to allergies. Despite maintenance medications for allergies, I need to use albuterol to relieve the spasms. When I am having spasms, I can not take large deep breaths, because I can't get the air in.

This move to remove the CFC inhalers is going to end up with many allergy and asthma related deaths. Decline in quality of life. There needs to be a class action lawsuit to remove the Ban. Heck, I would rather you make cows extinct if you need to help the environment!

These new CFC-free inhalers just do not work. I get relief for about 10 min, then the tightness resumes. I have a few puffs left of an old Albuterol Inhaler and I treasure those puffs because I know it will work, and the effect last for hours.

The implication that these inhalers are damaging the ozone layer is laughable. Rather than target people with respiratory problems, why not target the industries and businesses that are not only severly damaging the environmnent, but also are probably the cause of many respiratory issues in people.

I now have to resort to an electronic ProNeb machine when I have chronic attacks as I cannot take deep enough breaths to inhale the HFA dispensed inhalent.

I can't believe that they can release enough chlorofluorocarbons to make that much of a difference. I understand cow farts do more damage to the ozone and what about all the methane that is being released from dumps and not burned off or harnessed to power a local facility?

I am not a happy camper!

increased dependence on a nebulizer. increased expense.

is interfering with my personal life, as I have no idea when an attack can occur.

I thank God that I came across the websites with other people complaining about the new inhalers. I am 53 years old, a life long asthmatic and since the beginning of the year had started to think that my lungs were just getting old and there was nothing that could be done. I am so grateful to hear that its not my lungs, it's the new inhaler. I changed from the Pro-air HFA to the Ventolin HFA and am getting a little more relief but not like my old Ventolin! Its scary that we are being forced to use these inhalers, obviously the people making up this law do not have asthma! Please bring back the old inhalers!

The FDA took Albuterol USP inhalers for the treament of asthma off the market due to the propellants.

The replacement inhalers DO NOT WORK.

I CAN NOT BREATHE.

I will not be able to go green and ride my bike to work.

I have been an asthma sufferer for the past 15 years. Once the new HFA inhalers came on the market I have had more trouble with controlling the asthma. Last Friday (March 27,2009, I was on a college visit with my daughter, traveled from South Dakota to Lincoln and Omaha, NE. I had difficulty in breathing and tightness. I used my Ventolin HFA inhaler over and over again. Our first stop was Lincoln. Arriving at the school I had difficulty getting air but I was able to manage to make it to the admissions office and listen, but I did not partake in the tour, due to tightening of the lungs. Second stop, Omaha.

During the drive I noticed I wasn't getting better. We arrived at school #2 and I thought it was best I stay in the car. After a short time I thought I really need to be with my daughter on this visit. I walked 10 feet to the enterance of the school. My lungs were so tight I was gasping. I walked extremely slowly to the admin ofc to wait for my daughter and school personnel to get back from the tour as I was not able to get my breath. In the office I stood bent over and breathed slowly to try and get my lungs to relax. After 10 min or so I was able to sit and listen to the presentation. At the conclusion I walked the 5 ft to the bathroom and felt like my lungs were so compressed. I held my Ventolin HFA inhaler the entire time during both visits and repeatedly took inhalations to try and help relieve my symptoms.

NEVER ONCE did the inhaler help. I stood in the bathroom stall worrying how I was going to leave because just standing my chest felt crushed. I made it to the door and walked approx 4 steps and realized.....I AM GOING TO DIE. I reached for the nearest chair and stood tripod over it, saying as loud as I could...I NEED HELP It was like my lungs were not able to expand, I felt like I was trying to breath thru a coffee stir stick. I knew if I did not get help immediately I was not going to live. 911 was called, I was taken to the abulance and given 2 neb treatments to the hospital, this started to alleviate my lungs at the hospital I had another 5 neb treatments, 2 steriod shot in my IV, within a 1-2 hour time frame.

I knew my HFA inhalers didn't work well since I go through them quickly, but now that I honestly nearly died and used my inhaler 40-60 times that morning to try and get relief, I have no faith that these inhalers will save my life. The EMT told me my lungs were tighter than a drum. At the hospital I kept telling the staff that I think my inhaler had something to do with my emergency situation. When your lungs are tighter than a drum and you are literally struggling to breath there is NO WAY you can take a DEEP BREATH to get the medication into your lungs. WE NEED HELP NOW!

Our family health care coverage has a HIGH DEDUCTIBLE before insurance covers anything, including medication. I am afraid of the cost that is going to be associated with this emergency. Physically I am trying to recover. I am scared to leave my home and be away from my nebulizer. I have inquired about getting a travel nebulizer for times I am on the road, this is how serious the emergency was. I am lucky to be alive today.

I do not get the same results with new inhaler, infact it makes me worse, I find using my neb compressor with albuterl much better. and I find it hard to belive we must use something that does not work, I will if i end up in the hospitial because of this sue .

The FDA banned the use of CFC-proppelled inhalers starting in 2009, saying that there were 4 types of HFA-inhallers that worked just as well. the new HFA-propelled inhalers do not work as well for everyone, including me. We need the option for CFC-propelled ihalers back immediately or deaths will result.

I have had controlled ashtma for 10 years. Since 2009 (it's Arpril1 2009 now) and the new HFA-inhalers, I have been on 3 prednisone treatments, Adviar twice a day and cannot exercise due to complications. I follow the new inhaler directions, have treid all kinds and gave them a try. They did not work. Bring the CFC-proppelled inhalers back, please.

Surely they could come up with something better than this. It costs more, is less effective and doesn't last as long because you have to use more of it. I can't imagine that a tiny little canister uses enough CFC to cause damage to the environment. BRING IT BACK!

Slower relief for breathing and higher expense.

I have had asthma since I was 5 years old. I am 61. I have used CFC inhalers for over 25 years and have kept my asthma under control. I was given ProAir last year as a substitute. Not only did it not work, but it caused my attack to become more serious! Please help us! This product is Dangerous and people will DIE because of it. Thank you!

I was willing to try a ventalin HFA but was told by my insurance carrier it would cost $150 a prescription. My CFC's were $10.00 a prescription. I can't afford it and I can't do the things I was able to do before this ban. No exercising, no walking up hills! I now do not have my asthma under control and my quality of life will certainly decline!

My nine year old daughter has tried three different HFA inhalers. None of them work and she even complains that she feels worse and it is harder to breathe after she uses them. The only relief she gets is using her old CFC albuterol inhaler. But when that runs out what is she supposed to do?

The consequence here is that my daughter spends a lot of her time gasping for breath, afraid to go outside when there is a high pollen count, taking many breaks during PE so her breathing doesn't get too bad, and missing many hours of school because she feels like she just can't get enough air no matter what she does.

GOOD NEWS Just today, I figured out how to use ventolin HFA. You don't hold it in as long as you can like with old/regular ventolin - you inhale it fully, count 1 mississippi, 2 mississippi and then exhale completely. It worked for me three times today.

I've been using the CFC Albuterol since 1987. I might have to try Primatene Mist again - fried nerves is better than dead nerves. With only two original CFC Albuterols left, I treid the new Albuterol CFC. The first time I noticed it didn't work well and had more difficulty breathing but I though it was caused by taking time to try the new Albuterol HFA. Not taking any more chances I used the CFC Albuterol to recover and everything was fine.

The next day I tried Albuterol HFA again and I had a massive headache (I rarely have headaches), and my breathing was a lot more difficult and again I had to use the CFC Albuterol to recover from the Albuterol HFA. Ragweed season will be in full bloom in NY pretty soon so I could be dead within 60 days. I'm all for ending ozone problems but it seems like only a small percentage of people need the CFC Albuterol and to keep it small should have to be tested to determine need.

Funerals are expensive

When my insurance company sent me the new HFA inhaler instead of my old CFC I was perplexed. THe Old CFC worked great and relieved my systoms almost immeadiately. The new HFA really had no effect. I have been using inhalers for 15 years and knew exactly how to use them but no matter what I did the I could not get the HFA to work effectively. The old inhalers had more force and seemed to get the medicine into my lungs. Sometimes I cannot tell if anything is even coming out of the HFA's. I agree if asthma treatens my life the HFA will not save me.

My daughter age 17 who has very mild Asthma ( exercise induced)and sometimes needs her inhaler to swim or play water polo, was given one of the new inhalers by her doctor, about 6 months ago. we did not realize it was different ( he said it was a new type) and she took it to a swim meet and used it and the first words out of her mouth were I don't like this one as much get me the old one. We have two old type left and they are both half used so I am worried this may cause her to not be able to swim or play water polo next year. Had I known this was a government directive I would have gotten the refill before December 31 and I would have bought several inhalers to cover her for the next few years.

Having used Albuterol inhalers for asthma control for a number of years, my physician cautioned me that using some of the new HFA inhalers could cause the user to blow DWI if stopped by a policeman. Failure to agree to take a breatholizer in NY is grounds for immediate and mandatory drivers license suspension.

The physician suggests that when confronted with this situatiuon, a demand must be made for an immediate hospital blood analysis to prove alcohol blood content.

This would impose additional time financial burdens on the accused.

The changing of inhaler propellents is a feel good political decision rather than one made on a basis grounded in the real world.

If I'm ever stopped and accused of DWI on the basis of use of an HFA asthma inhaler, there will be lawsuits and the drug companies will be sued for far more than their net worth. The drug companies will have to be sued, you can't sue Congress for stupidity. I'd like to see a Congressman with asthma accused of DWI because of an inhaler you'd seen the situatiuon changed quickly then.

the new HFA inhalers DO NOT WORK

Since my old albuterol inhalers expired, I was forced to purchase the new HFA's. ProAir DID NOT WORK. I then tried Proventil - IT DOES NOT WORK TO RESCUE MY ASTHMA SYMPTOMS IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. I went to my doctor to get a nebulizer which has just been delivered. This is the first year that I have had thick mucus asthmatic symptoms during allergy season - prior to the HFA I could take one or two puffs of the old albuterol inhalers and wheezing and tightness would go away. WITH THE NEW HFA's THE TIGHTNESS IS STILL THERE - HOW CAN THEY EXPECT SOMEONE WHO'S BRONCHIAL TUBES ARE TIGHT TO BREATH DEEPER TO GET THE HFA MEDICINE IN WHEN THEY CAN'T GET A BREATH IN - IN THE FIRST PLACE???? THE OLD CANISTERS WOULD SHOOT THE AIR IN - SOMETHING ASTHMATICS NEED - I AM ALSO SENDING THIS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA - MAYBE HE CAN DO SOMETHING - I HAVE HAD ASTHMA SINCE I WAS 8 YEARS OLD AND AM NOW 56 AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN UNDER CONTROL. NOW, IT IS NO LONGER UNDER CONTROL FROM THE NEW HFA CANISTERS.

The new asthma inhalers namely pro-air are very bad. They do not give relief to asthma suffers. It is like they don't work at all. They also clog up all the time.

They need to bring back the original Armstong Albuterol (Aerosol). It worked fast and you used much less. It lasted all day. This new pro-air is just not working and you must use so much to get any relief.

The FDA should never have banned this product until the people useing it had something to take its place.

I am tired of those who do not suffer from Asthma telling us how great this new product is. They have no idea what it is like to not be able to get a breath of air.

Please bring Albuterol aerosol back before someone dies!

These new inhalers that are being produced simply don't work compared to the old CFC Inhalers that the Feds have outlawed due to ozone concerns. Can't breath when I have an athsma attack.

Bring back my Albuterol. It ruins Ozone? Do we go around sprying our inhalers in the wind? It's our lungs we are trying to save, you idiots. Your substitutes cause more problems and pain than we ever got from Albuterol. What is it you don't understand?

I've had rescue vans 3 times at my home and been in the hospital 4 times since I lost my Albuterol.

I WAS PLAYING VOLLYBALL IN GYM CLASS I GOT SHORT WINDED SO I TOOK 2 PUFFS OF MY NEW PROAIR INHEALER.I NOTICED ATFER 10 MINS I WAS STILL WHEEZING SO I SAT OUT FOR THE REST OF THE GAME ONCE GYM WAS OVER I TOOK THE REMAING OF MY OLD INHEALER ALBUTEROL INHALATION AEROSOL AND I FELT BETTER FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.

I have moderate persistent asthma that is caused by cold weather and pollution. I only need to use an inhaler during the winter months to provide relief. I was given a new inhaler in January and I took it the same way I did my previous inhalers. Withing minutes, I was shaking, crying, nauseous, and even more short of breath than I was before I took the medicine. I could not figure out what happened. I looked at the box and relized that my inhaler said Ventolin HFA on it.

I did some research on HFA and was able to figure out that this is what caused me to have an extreme reaction. My healthcare provider never bothered to explain to me the difference between the old inhalers and new inhalers. I was given Xoponex HFA for emergencies and was put on an inhaled steroid. The Xoponex does not work for me either becuase there is alcohol in formula. I am very sensitive to the effects of alcohol and the last thing I am going to do is inhale it. I experiened every side effect of the steroids and eventually had to stop taking them becuase of the severity of the side effects.

I can't get any relief from the controlling medicines and I can't rely on the inhaler for quick relief. All I can do is suffer through the constant shortness of breath and chest tightness. I am afraid to leave my home and have not been able to enjoy life for months. I can't understand why the FDA would make medications illegal when they save lives yet cigaretts are legal along with many many other things that cause more damage to the environment than life saving inhalers. If this is about money I would gladly pay $1000 for my old inhaler. At least I would be able to enjoy life. Please keep the HFA inhalers around for the people who have good results with them, but don't take the CFC inhalers away from the people who can't tolerate the new formula.

My asthma has gotten the best of me since using the HFA inhalers with wheezing now 24/7. It wasn't until my tongue hurt so badly and I was almost bed ridden because of the wheezing with no relief. I broke out one of my old inhalers half full. In just three short days my wheezing has stopped, my tongue is recovering.

I REFUSE TO USE AN HFA INHALER ANYMORE! Obviously I am having some sort of reaction to the new formula and I can't believe how quickly it took me down! Tomorrow I'm off to my Dr. to discuss alternatives and there have to be some.

Albuteral HFA doesnt work. The product does nothing for asthma.

I am 38 years old and I suffer with cronic Asthma. For the past 20 years, I have great success with the old Albuteral CFC to relieve asthma breathing troubles. Recently my life has been totally turned upside down because I am forced to use the new Albuteral HFA and It DOES NOT WORK!!!!!

Im now spending more money for a product that is doing absolutely nothing to relieve my asthma symtoms. I am now struggling longer and harder to breath. Working out is no longer an option for fear of nothing having a reliable rescue inhalor. This change is like having a city with no 911.what will happen while im out with no real inhaler to help me when I have trouble breathing. The HFA Albueteral doesnt seem to come out of the canister , it doesnt get anywhere close to the airways, therefore you are left weezing and in danger

Thebottom line is I cant get this medicine into my airway and NOTHING is working. This Albuteral HFA is completely ineffective and should no longer be considered a rescue inhalor. It is pointless to prescribe or sell this product for its not effective in aiding with asthma troubles. .. What does it take to get our health departments to realize that this change is severly impacting peoples lives, and 99% of us will not survive using the new HFA Albuteral. Someone please help me, we need the albuteral CFC back bring back the regular Albuteral.

I, like many others was forced to switch to a new inhaler after the ban on the old albuterol inhaler I had used for years. In the two months since I have used the new inhaler, I have so much trouble breathing, I can no longer go for walks, play with my grandson, go up and down steps or do any of the physical activities I used to enjoy. My oxygen level is down, I am always tired. I have pain in my ribs, coughing and a constant suffocating feeling.

I have a hard time concentrating at work, I have trouble sleeping because I am always short of breath. I used to use my inhaler about four times a week, The new one DOES NOT WORK! Can't anyone help me? I feel as though I am going to die just from not being able to breathe.

Pricey and a total waste of money. They don't work....

They don't work like the old Albuterol Inhalers. The increase the price which only help the drug companies. Same thing happened when Mucinex stopped the old generic guiafenexin with a totally fradulent patent. Asthmatics need to get some relief from the government to stop the attacks on them with the greedy drug companies. The horror stories have only begun. Hanging is too good for the government agencies and drug companies which have bought this situation on the public

ProAir inhalers don't work for me, and they are 4 to 5 times more expensive--no generic inhalers--even those that dont work- My prescription cost more, and are worthless. Somebody should do something!!

Severe bronchoconstriction, severe, coughing, choking, swelling of throat, sore throat and raspy voice for 3 days, fortunately I had an expired Warrick Albuterol Inhaler I was able to use and it opened my airway for me!!! Now I am very frightened to use any other inhaler!!!

I am too frightened to use any other inhale for fear of going through that for the second time as that was not the first time...it was my last time as I will never use any type of HFA inhaler, the ethanol in it is a known lung irritant and has caused cancer of the mouth and throat in other products so imagine the lung cancer this is going to cause!!!

I was forced to change to the ProAir from my generic albuterol. I understand that it is indeed the same medication but has a different propellant that is ethanol based. I have used it and noticed that it did not relieve my acute asthma attack at that time. I had to use my nebulizer in order to get relief. I do normally have good control of my asthma with Advair, but I do have to use a fast acting inhaler to control flare-ups, etc., especially when I hav a cold or my allergies are bothering me.

I also have to pay a lot more with this new inhaler, which makes one wonder about the real motivation behind all this. I also found out that the effect that the CFCs in the old inhalers were actually proven to only show negligble effects on the ozone, if any at all. Shame on the FDA and everyone else involved in making this come about. I wonder if this will lead to any deaths or hospitalizations in regard to not getting the relief you must get from these inhalers.

I was unable to breathe even after using this medication. I do have a nebulizer with liquid albuterol that works, but takes a little longer than a regular albuterol inhaler takes.

I have used CFC proventil inhaler since I was 7 years old I am now 41. I was able to lead a good life with the inhaler. However, when using the new HFA inhaler the medication will not go into my lungs, a rescue inhaler is suppose to be able to spray the medication into ones lungs as they do not have breath to do so themselves. This medication sits on the tongue. I now take by mouth steriods which has a negative effect on my diabetes, and it raises my hypertemsion as I cant get air into my lungs. I need to use my nebulizer alot. My lungs hurt me, I am in pain.

I can not live a normal life. I spent 82,000 in student loans to get an eduaction and find I need to stop working in a few months as I cant btreath. All I will do is end up in hospitals with different doctors running tests stating you can breath fine. I cant exercise or have a family life. My employer is tired of me taking sick days. I was my inhalers daily, I get sick when I injest the new inhaler, my BP gets higher, I ma 41 not 91. I should be able to walk and breath. As it is I can not breath from the people smoking outside and inside and then take the emisission that the bus leaves out and I am supposed to not breath.

They should have tested people with real asthma and copd health problems. But that is ok because as much as I can fight I will. We are a country that does not care about its citizens, all you need to do is see all the homeless. We are not like a country who cares about each other. They call this a free country, well when I have to pay taxes out of my check to live here that is not free. Wake up america. My fear is that I will die, and its not so much a fear but a reality. When one can talk, walk or breath they die there is only so much the heart can take.

I will not be able to work, I will thrown out of my place to live as I will not be able to pay my bills. I will be unable to function as a human being and I am being deprived my right to life. Dr's do not know what to do, I will have no medical insurance to get to see a Dr so the only other thing left to do is Die.

does not work right, im sucking on them and it no work like the old ones, somethings wrong with this picture...

the drug is wasted and so is my allocation from the pharmacy

I have very persistent frequent asthma. The new ProAir HFA inhaler is totally ineffective for me and in fact causes more chest and bronchial pain and coughing.

I am afraid I will now be unable to do the activities I could before and will have to go back to using steroids and the nebulizer to keep my asthma in control

I recently started the new inhaler..Two months ago..just got back from the doctor..my oxygen levels are low..for two months I have been unable to do anything..Im extremely fatigued and dizzy and want to ****..the inhaler is the culprit my life was great before. On my regular Albuteral inhalers.

I can no longer get out of bed half the time because I feel so ill..My son is suffering too bc I cant do anything..Its all about money for the drug administration..bring back the old inhalers. Just raise the price on those..Id be happy to pay 50 bucks for something that actually works..Please someone help asthma is no joke.

I had an allergic reaction to the ethanol in the new propellant. I am severely corn- and alcohol- allergic. This is unacceptable. Asthmatics and other lung disease sufferers are now under a sentence of death.

I must carry and use an epi-pen for my asthma as NO AVAILABLE INHALER is safe for me to use. Epi-pens are more dangerous than the old CFC Albuterol Inhalers. To my jaded eyes, it is obvious that the CFC ban was nothing more than a guarantee money to our buddies in big Pharma action on the part of the FDA. The FDA's current track record is so bad that everything they did since Reagan should be reviewed and repealed if there is not an ironclad reason to keep the restriction in place.

I've been an asthmatic for 40 years and have had successful rescue with the old CFC inhalers, that the FDA recently banned in December 2008. The new HFA inhalers make me worse! After the first inhalation, I immediately start coughing. I do get some relief after my coughing episode passes but it's minimal. When I tried to explain this to my pulmonologist, he didn't believe me. He dismissed me saying that 30% improvement was considered significant! If you had a choice between having 30% improvement or 100%, which would you choose? What if someone cut off almost all your air flow and then gave you a straw to breathe out of, would you be happy with that improvement? I'm outraged!

I live in constant fear of my next asthma attack. In fact, up until now I didnt need to use any inhaled steroids regularly but now Im on Advair in an effort to stave off attacks. Sounds good, right? Wrong! Advair states that use of it may increase the risk of asthma-related deaths. Further research on WebMD Health News states that it is because of a chemical called: salmeterol. The article goes on to state that while the drug can reduce the number of asthma attacks, they can make asthma attacks worse when they do occur. Oh great! Now all I have to fear is that my next attack will be worse than ever and cause my demise! Couple that with the fear that the new inhaler won't open my air passages and you have a person living in constant fear! How many of us must die so that things will change? And why is that probably going to be what it takes to overturn the FDAs decision?

Undue emotional stress and overall decrease in quality of life. I can no longer risk going outside on days with increased pollen/pollution nor can I risk being near anyone who might have animal hair on their clothing.

As ever the fraudulent doctors , lazy as ever, just will not do their job properly. How many of us will wind up in the morgue thanks to these hfc inhalers? This is quack medicione at its best.

Death Comes to those who cannot deliver sufficient albuterol to the lung. The pressure required to push the inhalant must be able to overcome the opposing pressure of an inflamed lung.HFC fails all the way. It's a death machine.

I am 43 year old and have asthma since for the past 31 years. I have always had my asthma under control and have never ahd to use any kind of inhaler until 2003. The reason for my use of a inhaler is the fact that I am alergic to many chemicals that were and are used at my place of employment, i.e., the glue used for the carpeting and the fumes emitted from fax, photocopiers and printers, etc. I have used albuterol which was the most effective treatment I have used.

Since the ban on CFC's and the change in inhalers allowed to be prescribed it is almost unbearable to cntinue working. I have an excellent job and cannot afford to quit. The pay is excellent, as well as the benefits.
Am I supposed t quit my job just so I can breath? Or am I supposed to suffocate to death because I am not allowed to purchase medication that will allow me to breath because the the beaurocratic red tape aka bullcrap? Why are other cfc containing products still on the market and allowed to be used? Especially if those products are of no use to the livelyhood or necessity of asthmatics, COPD patients, etc.

Also, it's been stated that asthmatics MUST inhale deeply when using the new and ineffective poducts.

HOW ARE ASTHMATICS WHO ARE SUFFERING AN ASTHMA ATTACK SUPPOSED TO INHALE DEEPLY WHEN THEY ARE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS BREATHING IN THE FIRST PLACE?

Damage: Loss of income because sick leave must be taken because the so called improved inhalers aren't working.

Risk of losing one's job because one cannot keep up with the demand just because, due to missed work, one cannot keep up with the job tey are to perform because work is missed.

HFA inhaler can blow positive on a breatholizer, while having consumed no alcohol. This is due to the components of the propellent which can register as alcohol. The only positive way to make a determination of driving while impaired is a hospital blood test.

I hope a substantial class action lawsuit arises over this issue.

When politics dictates medical treatment, everyone looses.

I decline the use of HFA propellent inhalers for fear of being charged with driving while impaired. This sometimes limits my ability to drive.

I HAVE HAD IT with these HFA Meterd-Dose Inhalers! THEY DON'T WORK!

I have had to resort to using an electric nebulizer machine to dispense my fast-acting asthma-relief medicine. They plug into a wall outlet. One nurse actually suggested I carry that with me in case I have trouble breathing.

I work in retail. A customer's cologne, aftershave, secondhand or thirdhand smoke fumes, or even unwrappping new merchandise can aggravate my asthma at a moment's notice. This nurse knows nothing about what it's like to have sudden trouble breathing because of REAL pollutants! I can't carry this machine around with me on the sales floor, or when I'm grocery shopping, or even driving anywhere.

These people are NOT THINKING!-AL GORE and other environmental czars, the FDA, the CDC, and others who spout off useless, impractical suggestions.

These little MDIs are not going to do any kind of damage to the ozone layer! THAT damage that is being done is by those who insist on driving big vehicles, don't carpool, emissions put out by large companies who don't keep their air quality under control.

When are these Black-or-White viewed so-called experts going to wake up and realize that THEY are messing up with people's health and lives with their narrow-minded stupidity! The very limited amount of CDC's emitted by people's medical inhalers are not going to even put any dog-gone dent in the ozone. The only dent that is occurring is in their common sense!

I was keeping my asthma under much better control using a long-acting tablet, and maybe the CFC MDI 2-3 times per month. Then, I was expected to spend about 2 to 3 times as much for the new inhaler, which didn't even work! So, back to the doctor (with that co-pay), another prescription (with that co-pay),and still no relief. My husband ended up buying me a nebulizer machine figuring it would eventually pay for itself by not having to go to the doctor every week, or the ER, to have a nebulizer treatment. My husband is a godsend!

An Allergist said I didn't need it, That's for little kids who don't know how to use the MDIs correctly. I asked her why then do I get a neb treatment everytime I go the primary care doctor or ER. Of course she had no answer for that.

And yes, I do believe it HAS paid for itself when I avoided the first ER visit! But it weighs over 8 pounds! I have enough trouble in the winter, let alone having to carry this machine around. AND, it uses electricity, about 15 to 20 minutes per treatment.

So, how is that any better than the itty-bitty bit of CFCs the original inhaler put out. That's what I'd like to know!!

About three weeks ago I ran dry on my Albeuterol Inhailer and went to the pharmacy to refil my prescription for a new inhailer. My pharmacist informed me that they will no longer be able to give the old inhailer as it is bad for the environment. Shocked by the rediculous increase in price. I didnt do much questioning and took the new HFC inhailer Proventil with faith that this would work as well as the old one did CFC Albeuterol.

Not the case..I am three weeks into a strange set of symptoms that do not match any illnesses.I have felt tight in the chest and usually suffer from exercise enduced asthma as well as respritory allergies that trigger the asthma.I have been told I may have Broncitis to Phenumonia to sinus and gas reflux diseases..I begged to differ with everyone as these symptoms were sudden and Asthma related.

After doing numerous amounts of research on what could be wrong with me and why I was coughing so hard I realized that it was exactally three weeks ago that i had switched to the new inhailer. why is it now when I take my dosage of my inhailer it just makes me tight in the chest, makes my throat itch, induces coughing and provides little to no relief at all, if anything it makes it harder to breathe.

I was prescribed the Albuterol CFC inhaler and used only one inhaler and when I got a refill, I was given the ProAir HFA inhaler. The CFC inhaler was discontinued and they substituted it with the ProAir HFA.

The ProAir HFA does not work. The propellant is weak, it does not clear the airway like the Albuterol CFC no matter how hard I inhale. I have to use it frequently and when I use the ProAir HFA, I my heart races and my hands start to shake. I am not sleeping very well when I use it in the afternoon. This is a very poor substitute for the Albuterol CFC inhaler. I am trying hard to find any other country that still allows it to be produced. I was told that the Albuterol CFC inhaler was discontinued because the propellent is bad for the environment.

How about discontinuing the eighteen wheeler trucks that drive through the state of Pennsylvania are bad for the ozone layer and the pollution they create? I am sure that all of the Albuterol CFC's that are supposedly bad for the environment are equivalent to only one eighteen wheeler that pollutes the air in a single day in PA? The air quality in my state is one of the worst because of the trucks or are they blaming it on the discontined propellant in the inhalers? What a joke. And lets talk about the cost of these worthless inhalers. Way too expensive and I do not have health insurance.

In 2009 CFC Albuterol inhalers were banned in the U S and replaced with HFA Albuterol inhalers. Because I suffer from asthma, I depend upon CFC inhalers to control breathing difficulty associated with asthma. Unfortunately for me, the HFA inhalers do not relieve my asthma. Since November 2008 to the present I have had increased, terrifying asthma attacks that the HFA inhalers have done little to control.

I have found that in an emergency the HFA's are worthless and, therefore, quite dangerous. Because I don't have anything that works to halt an asthma attack, I have had to progress to using nebulized albuterol. Astonishingly, I was never informed that my inhaler formulation had been changed to a different propellant. The way I found out was in the middle of the night, during an asthma attack when my new HFA inhaler didn't work!

It is very unfair, not to mention dangerous, that asthma patients are forced to buy CFC inhalers on the internet from unknown foreign suppliers. I am hoping that the tried and true CFC Albuterol inhalers will be made available to U S patients ASAP. Being able to breathe is a basic right and I believe I am one of many being discriminated against because of a misdirected law (The Montreal Protocol). I hope you can do something to help end this needless suffering. Thank you for your time.

Having a problem with HFA inhalers. Have tried 3 and have had a porblem with each one. This one is making my asthma worst. Did not have a problem with the CFC inhalers .

Can not breath as well and now need to take my inhaler every 3 hrs.

i have complained about this before i also had stocked up on some cfc n halers the new ones do not work period and with me the old inhalers were my only relief as i am allergic to advair and those types of controlling medication this isd not fair people aare going to start dieing or maybe thats what they want more money for the goverment when everyone with asthma dies.

All I can say is Unbelievable. I've had COPD for years. I can't believe how cold and unfeeling Christopher Kelly (FDA) is. Obviously he has no idea what people who have breathing problems go through. I suggest he breath through a straw consistently for one week to see what we live with. Maybe then he will understand.

I have three prescriptions that I filled sitting in my linen closet that I can't use. Believe me I want these HFA's to work but they don't. As soon as I puff on them, my breathing gets worse. I'm allergic to alcohol so all it does it make it worse. I contacted the FDA who replied saying I should speak to my doctor. What can the doctor do but prescribe another HFA inhaler that will do the same thing. It appears that the FDA really doesn't care.

With all my heart I hope someone on the President's staff is monitoring this situation. I believe Obama would do something about it. He has a child with allergies, whether she's asthmatic or not, I don't know. I had a 39 year old cousin who died from an asthma attack a few years ago, which had nothing to do with HFA. The point is asthma 'kills'.

So I have one question for the FDA, HOW MUCH IS ONE LIFE WORTH?. So Mr. Kelly, are you up to joining us for one week and breathe through nothing but a straw? As for Kelly's comment When asked about buying CFC inhalers from countries oversea, Kelly said: Buying the CFC albuterol from other countries, outside the closed U.S. supply system, (either prior to or after 12/31/08) is not legal and the safety and efficacy of the product is unknown. Unknown is better that known not to work. As for me, I'd rather be alive in jail than dead in a cemetery. WE NEED HELP!!!!

Since I am now out of the HFA and cannot afford them, I went to the store to get the Primatene Mist inhaler that is sold over the counter...for now. On the way over I had little air. I could not breath. I litterally felt like I was going to collapse or die. Would anyone care? The thought of my suffering and others sufferin being caused because of people in high lofty places making decisions on lies just angered me. I began to think about if anyway has died because they couldn't get an HFA inhaler, couldn't get it to work, or just died from taking it. I can remain silent no longer. With every breath I have I will fight evil in high places in this is all this is. Has anyone filed a class action suit?

insurance doesn't cover as much as before,

I find that I need to use the nebulizer more and have had to get another inhaler,
I also take Advair and Comivent. I am

on an antibiotic now and feel terrible.

The other day I found an old Albuterol
inhaler and I sure felt the difference.
However it was on it's last puffs . So
I am afraid I may be going to the ER

soon. I hope not. Please give us back the old CFA FAST ACTING INHALERS SO WE CAN BREATHE. I also live alone and I fear the worst if I wake up at night with a bad attack.

I know what it's like to die from an asthma attack. I know the panic and the pain, the feeling of helplessness and having to use every last bit of energy just to try to take a breath. If you get a severe attack (like I did), there is absolutely NO WAY you could take a breath in to get medicine into your lungs. I couldn't even talk, walk or dial 911. Thankfully my husband was able to dial 911. Before they got to my house, I had already passed out on the floor, not breathing, my face blue. I don't remember the ambulance ride. I believe I had quit breathing for a couple of minutes before they arrived and stuck a tube down my throat, putting me on a respirator. I woke up a day later in the hospital when they were taking the tube out.

Before the attack, I had used my new inhaler several times, but it just wasn't giving me any relief. The CFC inhalers would usually give me relief, even if I was having a bad attack, or at the very least, enable me get to the ER without an ambulance ride.

I don't care what the doctors, pharmacists, or the FDA say. The HFA inhalers are NOT the same and they don't work as well, if at all. It has absolutely NOTHING at all to do with us not using the inhaler 'correctly'. How could so many people have used CFC inhalers fine, but not know how to use an HFA inhaler to get relief? It's a load of crock and the FDA and others in the Gov't responsible for this just keep feeding the same lines to doctors, organizations and pharmacists to tell their patients.

It's not even that the inhalers cost more. If they worked, that would be one thing. But they don't work. And they are costing us tons of money in ER visits, extra medication to keep asthma under control, more nebulizer solution, missed days at work and school, lost jobs, and loss of freedom and quality of life.

I've had asthma all my life and I've had some pretty frightening times with it, especially as a child before rescue inhalers were around. Then when rescue inhalers came out, it enabled us to do things we couldn't before. I got involved with sports and played tennis and did some running. I was in the band. These are things I wouldn't have been able to do without rescue inhalers. I was able to go to work more often, miss less days of work or school, and overall be more productive and lead an almost normal life.

Now with rescue inhalers gone again (HFA inhaler does nothing, so I don't consider it a rescue inhaler), we have to be more concerned about what we do and where we go. I don't want to end up having another bad attack. I've had to take my nebulizer to work. And playing tennis is pretty much out. We have taken a step backwards.

I have more of a constant cough, needing to clear my throat, a slight flapping in my lungs or sometimes just a faint wheeze that never goes away. CFC inhalers would get rid of all of that. With the HFA inhaler, the cough is worse and I never feel as though my lungs are ever fully clear anymore. There's always a hint of wheezing or asthma symptoms. I don't sleep as well because of that and also because I would puff the HFA inhaler 7 or 8 times to try and get rid of that, but it never did.

Thankfully, I found a pharmacy in India and ordered a bunch of CFC inhalers before the ban took effect. So for right now, I am back to my old self. But when they are gone and I can't get any more, my quality of life will once again diminish greatly. I suppose I will have to check into getting a portable nebulizer so I won't be stuck tethered to mine at home all the time.

I pray no one has to experience passing out from not being able to breathe like I did. I was lucky because they got to me in time. There will be many who won't be as lucky, though.

HFA inhalers are dangerous and will cause many preventable deaths. Maybe some of these people from the FDA who won't budge on this will even get to watch a family member or loved one struggle for their last breath because of a defective and unsafe inhaler that replaced one that worked. It's just a shame that people have already died and more probably will because of this CFC inhaler ban. It's just wrong. People's lives should take precedence over a small amount of CFC released into the air.

I suffer from asthma and have noticed a very serious lack of effect in this new product. During an attack, i used the new inhaler and my attack became worse. Had a friend who also suffers asthma not been on hand with one of the older, now defunct inhalers, I would have been rushed to the hospital, or possibly killed. The lack of function of my inhaler frightens me, and I feel unheard and uncared for that I am not given a choice in the system I use. I feel as though the reasons behind the switch are beyond rediculous, and hope that in the future people will turn their efforts to save the ozone in ways that don't risk lives, like mandated recycling. I find the switch to be not just careless, but dangerous.

I now have two of the older inhaler systems, and am holding onto them for dear life. At the very least, I feel that we should be given a choice!!

Was switched last year to Proventil, didn't work, doctor put me back on albuterol cfc inhaler. Have been fine with generic, then this ban took effect. Proventil inhalers do not last as long, are far less effective and I need to use nebulizer more often. This will necessitate new protocol since insurance companies will only allow a certain number of purchases per 25 day cycle.

This is really scary for me. I cannot exercise at the gym like before, and I dare not go for a run. I cannot play with my 4-year-old daughter like I used to do for fear of a complete bronchial shut down. I'm a 33-year-old woman who cannot do regular physical exercise or even basic chores around the house because of this new inhaler.

The new inhaler is about $40. Apparently I will need three a month for a total of $120. My CFC inhaler cost me around $12 and lasted over a month. So I'm out $108 a month. The cost is not as burdensome as the loss of a normal athletic and basic life for a young woman and mother. Thanks for listening.

I recently contacted the FDA to express my frustration with the banning of the CFC inhalers. I have been using CFC ihalers for years with very effective results in controlling my asthma. As soon as the CFC inhaler ban was complete I was forced to use the new HFA inhaler. Not only did The HFA inhaler not work as well controlling my sypmtoms but I went from using 1 CFC ihaler a month (a cost of $10/month) to using at least 2-3 HFA inhalers a month and insurance only covers 1 Rx a month (at $20) so I was stuck having to pay for the full cost of the additional inhalers or just suffer through my asthma symptoms. My frustration led to my filing a complaint with the FDA.

I was shocked by their response! The email I received stated; HFA propelled albuterol inhalers may taste and feel different than the CFC propelled albuterol inhalers. Notably, the force of the spray of an HFA propelled inhaler may feel softer than that of a CFC propelled inhaler. It is important to remember that it is the deep breath that you take with each puff that gets the medication into your lungs, not the force of the spray.

I especially appreciated the remark about the importance of taking a deep breath for the HFA inhaler to be effective. Considering that taking a deep breath is not possible when you are using a rescue inhaler to ease your asthma symptoms to make it possible for you to breath normally I found this particularly frustrating. If I could breathe deeply to begin with I would not need an inhaler at all.

I have tried all the new inhalers meant to replace the CFC and had no good results. My asthma is on the side of severe and next to impossible to keep under control. I take a preventive medication but also need a fast acting inhaler when exposed to any of my many triggers. I am one of those people that have many reactions to medications and must limit my usage. There is only one preventative I am able to take and must rely on fast acting ones also. These new inhalers are completely ineffective and give side effects unable to conquer. This new ban makes my quality and quantity of life a disgrace. I am unable to work, leave my house or exert energy to play with my children. Help me live a normal life.

this inhailer IS NOT effective it doesnt help me and make me feel ill afterwards. this is one time i feel the american lung association is of no use to me and they dont know what they are talking about it is not that we arent using it right it is that they DONT WORK

the cost wich is rediculous doesnt really concern me because i will not be buying another one which means that i have to be really careful of everything i do from now on since the 2 medications i am on for control cost me 70 dollars a month with insurance.

I treat many asthmatics, most of whom use an albuterol inhaler, some more than others. Those who have used the 'new inhaler have reported negative results of one type or another, from mild to outright ineffectiveness. It is asolutely incredulous that a governmental agency has this amount of power over it's citizens, particularly it's sick citizens.

Now, just imagine one death as a result of this new propellent, based on inaccurate and faulty science, ie. regarding the ozone layer. This, my fellow citizens, should be regarded as your first encounter with government run medicine.

I was prescribed proventil hfa 12/2008. It does not provide me any relief at all. I am terrified to think of having to live my life this way. I am only 27 years old and i pray everyday for cfc inhalers to be made legal, and quickly! Please Please bring back cfc inhaler, not only for myself but millions of other asthma sufferers who are going through my same ordeal. I will keep praying for this and until my last breath.

I have been an asthmatic since i was born. I was also a baby with SIDS which is (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and a survivor obviously since i am sitting here today writing on this extremely important topic of the new HFA Inhalers. The day that i went to pick up my CFC Warrick inhaler from the pharmacy and had a red stamp on the top of it that stated it was being discontinued, my heart litterally sank into my stomach.

I was born on the east coast and my parents had to move me to the west coast due to constantly being ill every season change. When i get a small cough or cold it is guaranteed that at 2am i will wake up not being able to breath and grasping for air. (then all asthmatics know you have to be attached to your nebulizer for days trying to control your asthma attacks which are more than every four hours)ALSO NOTE: when taking the nebulizer machine you get nervous, shakey and your heart beats so fast you can see it coming through your chest. Then on top of that i have been put on small doses of prednisone my whole life (which doctors say is not good for anyone to take that much) BUT literally if i wasnt put on the prednisone i would have no relief and would not be here today.

There is nothing like not being able to breath and grasping for air, but the only relief that you have when you are in the grocery store shopping and an asthma attack hits and you go in your purse and grab your CFC Warrick inhaler and know that everything will be ok once you take that medicine and you can continue to do normal everyday things.

I then went to my primary doctor and found that when i wanted to fill my CFC inhaler that the doctor no longr could supply the prescription that everything and i mean everything has been switched to the HFA inhaler. My doctor promised that nothing new has been changed besides the propellent due to the other inhalers harming the ozone layer.

NOW everyone trusts there doctors right??? UHHH WRONG!!!! I went to take the new HFA inhaler one morning and the minute i inhaled the new inhaler i felt a wierd taste immediatly, no relief what so ever and not even 10 minutes later my mother in shock was rushing me to the Urgent Care (luckly down the street from us) My throat swelled up like a baseball due to the HFA Inhaler....

The Urgent Care doctor instructed me to stay clear from the HFA inhalers due to me having a severe allergic reaction and he explained i needed to contact my primary doctor to find what other alternatives i was going to be able to take. WELL there are no alternatives that i can take due to everything switching over the the HFA Propellent. Please tell me what people are supposed to do now when we literally can not take the new medication due to being allergic to the new HFA inhalers. Please let me know what a 23 year old, such as myself who maybe wants to have a little fun, go out dancing with friends and family or maybe even go to the beach and enjoy life, CAN NOT due to my asthma!!!

Whom ever decided that they take away asthmatics medication are the people who do not suffer from asthma or have family or friends that have asthma. Anyone with asthma can tell you that the new medication does not work, tastes different and now many of us can not even go near the medications due to be allergic. I now have to hold onto my last CFC inhaler with my life, which now is going to be how much longer? I couldnt tell you which is a very extremly scary factor and on top of my asthma i have been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder (that oh wait my insurance will not cover) and gaining weight i can no longer try and work out due to not having an inhaler to take with me to the gym which means my life has become a complete disaster. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE i am begging whom ever can make this change happen to allow people like me who can not take the new medications have an alternative and bring back the LIFE SAVING CFC Warrick Inhaler!!!!!

Thank you so much for addressing this, I thought I was the only one that found them useless.

I have COPD so that inhaler is like a life line for me when I have a bad day

it does not go into the air, it goes into my lungs .

I can not breath deeply enough to pull the med down into my lungs in a powered form .

I have wondered if I can still get the old type in Canada..

I am scared to be honest!

As has been stated by others, this new inhaler does not work well at all. I have mild asthma, I also use Asmanex. The old albuterol inhaler worked within seconds, this new one takes 15-20 minutes to work. I use this before working out and it no longer clears my airways as fast or as well as the old albuterol. And how on earth are you supposed to take a deep breath when you can't breathe? As usual the FDA has dropped the ball. Hopefully a lot of people won't die because of this. If I ever feel a bad attack coming on, I'm heading for an emergency room, this spray will obviously not help.

HFA inhalers are ineffective........you cite the FDA as saying for these to be effective you must take deep breaths. This is absolutely total ignorance on the part of the FDA, American lung association ( who should know better), the drug companies and any other proponent of this fraud. Fact: People having an asthma attack and in a panic state CANNOT breathe in deeply. Fact: people with copd and limited lung function when in need of medication cannot breathe in deeply. This decision needs to be reversed but it may be too late because the drug companies most probably will not resume production on these old products.Their concerns are always for the bottom line and not the welfare of their customers.

Recent times have shown the incompetence plaqued FDA's inability to properly understand and evaluate these life altering decisions. If allowed to stand, these bureaucrats and their abetters will have successfully reduced the quality of life for millions of lung disease sufferers throughtout the world. People have got to know what power these hippocrits in government and snakes in the enviromental movement have too ruin peoples lives and alter their well being. Its happening to people with lung diseases now but its only a matter of time before they get to you and your necessities of life. Beware!

Possible death

Many people just can tolerate this new formulation! It's making people sick! What is so hard to understand about that? Is the FDA afraid to admit they made a mistake? People's health should have never been subjected to political correctness, and thats what this is all about POLITICS!

Constant coughing, rapid heartbeat-above and beyond what was normal with the CFC inhaler, chest pain, burning sensation in chest, worsening asthma symptons, muscle and joint pain. Some of these symptoms lasted for about a year!! I have not used any HFA product since April '07 and never will again. I will be forced into carrying a portable nebulizer with me at all times.

I cannot use HFA albuterol inhalers as I am allergic to the propellants in all of them. I tried two different ones and they made me cough really bad, and my lungs burned awfully. They gave me an awful headache and caused nausea too. I fortunately still have a few CFC albuterol inhalers and then will have to go to a nebulizer only. I may die if I cannot have my CFC inhaler.

HFA quick-relief albuterol this is what I am told about these new inhalers but have found it to be a joke. I have tried both Proventil and Ventolin and neither one works very well.

Ventolin didn't work at all for me. The fact that it expires after a month once you opened it was just rediculous. I didn't use my CFC inhaler up that fast. My asthma was well controlled. So I was throwing away an almost full inhaler at the end of the month.

Now I have Proventil. I will admit this one does work....eventually. Just last night I had to take it. In order for it to work though I had to wait an hour and a half before I was able to feel like I was breathing normally, and I had to take a dose and a half. So fast acting is just a joke.

With my CFC inhaler I only had to take one dose and sometimes if I caught it early enough I could get away with taking half a dose. Furthermore it worked immediately. I didn't have to wait an hour and a half.

Now, I am afraid to do anything physical, and to go outside. My asthma is triggered by exercise, smoke, cold air, cold water, and bad air. I was able to build up a small stash of CFC inhalers but I am saving those for a really bad attack. I hate living in fear of having an attack. I don't want to have to go to the hospital again. I have a little baby now. What if he ends up having asthma or what if something happens to me because my inhaler didn't work? Please let us have on CFC inhalers. If marijuana can be legal for medical use then way not CFC MDI's?

The HFA inhalers that have replaced the CDC inhalers have completely jeopardized my health. Not only am I taking the medication more because I cannot get the relief I could with the old inhaler, I'm reliant on it more and more. The claim that CDC in asthma inhalers is ludacris. First of all, WE'RE INHALING THE PRODUCT! If it's released into the air, it is a VERY small amount, negligible in comparison to the damage the Ozone gets from car and factory pollution. I want the CDC inhalers back NOW, because it's completely deteriorating the quality of my lungs. Whomever tested these inhalers LIED about the affects on asthma users, or did not use the proper pool for their research. Every asthma sufferer I speak with says these inhalers are worthless. Please, if you've ever known how it feels not to breathe, do something about this!

I feel like the quality of my lungs is deteriorating with the HFA inhaler this company makes. I'm only 23, and I worry that by the time I'm 40 I'll have developed emphyzema due to not being able to resolve my asthma issues. When I take the HFA inhaler, it does not completely ease my asthma symptoms like the CDC inhaler, and I feel like the constant wheezing is doing long term damage to my respiratory system. I've even tried this with the AeroChamber to see if I can get the HFA inhalation into my lungs better with no result. This product does NOT work, and the Department of Health and Human Services needs to address this issue. If they want to save the Ozone, focus on car emissions and alternative energy.

I have had asthma since I was born. I have used CFC albuterol inhalers whenever it was necessary for immediate relief, and I have had no problems with my asthma worsening for forty one years. Since these inhalers have now been banned, I have had no choice but to use the new HFA inhalers. These are much higher in price, which is bad enough, but while the government promised that these inhalers would be no different, in just two and a half months of their usage, my asthma has drastically worsened.

I used to use the CFC inhaler maybe a few times a week when my asthma was triggered (pollutants, smoke, perfumes, severe cold weather, etc.), but now I am using the HFA inhaler several times each day, and sometimes without getting any relief at all.

About a week ago I used the HFA inhaler eight times within a few hours one night and yet I experienced no relief at all and was still struggling to breath, so much so that I worried about having to call for an ambulance. I coughed and coughed, almost vomiting, struggling to breath. I was straining so hard to breath, that the skin at the bottom of my neck was sunken in. That's a sign of immediate respiratory distress, and yet there was nothing I could do about it at all. Why is the medicine not working and why is my asthma suddenly getting worse?

This has brought up some very real fears for me now. Every time I use this inhaler, it has been making it more and more difficult for me to breath, so now when something triggers my asthma, I have to force myself to struggle through the respiratory distress without any medicine at all and hope that it will not be too bad.

I refuse to take this medicine anymore, because after what it has done to me, I don't think it is safe at all. I will just have to suffer and apparently the government doesn't care if I do, or get sicker or die. :(

These CFC generic inhalers used to cost me maybe $7 and they worked, and now the HFA ones cost me $35 each and do not work, and have made my asthma far, far worse.

The new HFA inhalers simply do not work. They are also prone to clogging very easily. I keep several holders/mouthpieces on hand to rotate them while they are drying out after washing. Still I was out in Manhattan and after passing a vendor roasting chestnuts with lots of smoke, I reached for my inhaler only to find no mist. By shaking it I could tell it still had medicine in it. I had to try to spray it into the air to find out nothing was coming out.

Unlike the old CFC inhalers you cannot tell if medicine is being dispensed by feeling it in your mouth. You also can't tell when the canister is empty except by trying to spray the air.

All this talk about you need to get used to it and you need to get your asthma under control is misdirection. If we could all get our asthma under control no one would need a RESCUE inhaler. As it is the HFA inhaler is no recue at all. It only works if you are feeling only a slight constriction and can still take a fairly deep breath. If you have a sudden tight constiction it is of very little use. I need at least 3 to 4 more doses than I needed with my ols CFC inhaler.

I have already had to go to emergency via ambulance because the HFA inhaler gave NO RELIEF. My peak flow measurement kept going lower and lower. How many will die while the FDA panders to the Eco-zealots?

For 22 years I have had controlled asthma.. I could run, dance, laugh, go camping, etc. all with Confidence. Recently my rescue CFC inhaler was replaced with the Proventil HFA inhaler. The first inhale immediately made my asthma attack worse and I realized this is the first time I've been scared of dying from an asthma attack since I was 8. The HFA inhaler offered NO RELIEF. In fact, I was allergic to it.

My doctor prescribed a different brand (Ventolin HFA) and I don't seem to be allergic to it. However, it does NOT seem to offer the same relief as my older CFC's. I get immediate relief from my CFC inhaler.

My asthma is much harder to control now and I feel scared to participate in outdoor or aerobic activity. I feel the same helplessness as when I was a child. I don't like to even tell people what I am dealing with, because so many doctors and even supposed Asthmatic community leaders are telling us that we are just using it wrong, or that it is in our head.

People are going to die from the HFA inhalers, and then everyone will know.

The thing that the FDA doesn't realize is that to say we need to take a deeper breath to make the new HFA inhalers work is almost an oxy-moron. If we could take deep breaths, we wouldn't need the inhalers! We need medicine that opens the passages QUICKLY....with little effort.....so that we can breathe DEEPLY and function as normal people do. Can 50,000+ lives, who rely on inhalers to live, be worth the sacrifice???? Probably yes...until it becomes personal.

When the switch was made to the HFA inhalors, I was told that it was the exact same medicine, just without the cfc's. I tried them, and COULD NOT breathe. I spoke to my doctor, several pharmacists and they all told me that they had heard so many complaints about the new inhalors, but there was nothing they could do. I have to depend upon my nebulizer all the time, when before, I didn't have to. I'm hoping that someone will help us. WE CAN'T BREATHE!

The first time I tried an HFA inhaler, after being assured it was exactly the same as my old CFC inhaler, I got the worst asthma attack I can remember.

I have severe asthma that was once fairly well controlled using CFC inhalers. Now my asthma has become very unstable; triggers that once bothered me a little bother me tremendously; and I am tethered to a nebulizer which I must use several times per day. My world has shrunk enormously.

What was FDA thinking when it posted 'It is important to remember that it is the deep breath that gets the medication into a patient's lungs, not the force of the spray.'? If we could take deep breaths we would not need asthma inhalers!

Worst of all, the emergency CFC albuterol inhaler that once helped open up a near normal life for me is no longer available.

President Barack Obama needs to issue an emergency order to allow CFC inhalers back into the US, and Congress needs to amend the Clear Air Act to exempt CFC asthma inhalers from any restrictions.

I send a huge thank-you to the founders of The National Campaign to Save CFC Asthma Inhalers. I both belong and support their actions.

Asked about availability of Proventil CFC Inhalers. I was advised that they would not be available after 12/31/07 and that I would have to use the new HFA inhalers. I had already had experience with the HFA inhalers - there is something in the propellant to which I am allergic and it affects my disgestive tract - quickly and severely. Plus the HFA inhalers did not help my asthma at all. We need to have the government allow the CDC inhalers to be brought back.

The FDA has banned CFC Inhalers in favor of the inefficient and more costly HFA Inhalers.

Since the ban on CFC Inhalers, I have been suffering worse than ever from my asthma. I had trouble breathing at my old job, and had to find something less physical just so I can survive. After trying the HFA, my lungs itched and I coughed so hard that it only worsened the asthma attack! I had to use my old CFC Inhaler just to get a breath of air. I cannot understand why something so useful, that has saved so many lives, is being banned in favor of the Ozone layer, yet the government does nothing to stop factories, Hummers, or major corporations that create far more of a problem than a tiny inhaler that has saved my life many times over the years.

I am a 63 year old suffering from COPD and the new inhalers are worthless. I felt like I was the only one that found them not only ineffective, but also felt sick after using them. I have gone without using an inhaler..and using my nebulizer when I find myself short of breath. I wish I had some of the old inhalers. They gave me relief every time I used them. I still don't understand why they had to be changed...other than give the drug companies a reason to charge more.

My life has changed. I can't do as much physically as I used to do. I am afraid to use the new inhaler, it causes more harm than good. The cost is outrageous!

The HFA Albuteral inhalers can do more harm then good, I had a bad breathing attack and used the inhaler, which did not have the force and did more to constrict my breathing and if it wasn't for a CFC inhaler that I was able to get to, I wouldn't be here today, this is a dangerous inhaler and I think there will be many class actions law suits out there with this being a case of life and death.

Fear of not getting relief, without the CFC propelled Albuteral inhaler.

Again, in 2006 I used an HFA inhaler for Albuterol as my pharmacy was phasing out their supplier with CFC without realizing the propellant was the same as the flovent inhaler I had used before. The exact symptoms happened immmediately!! I experienced this a third time, in my pulmonologists office while received breathing tests and the test administrator gives you something to open your lungs in the 2nd round of breathing exercises and the sensation on my scalp occured immediately!!

Thank Heavens, Armstrong Pharmaceuticals keep the CFC inhalers in manufacture til the end of 2008 and I was able to stock up and I also purchased some from India before the deadline. I have about a years worth stocked up but after that will have to quit doing much of anything outside of the home where I can still use my nebulizer and aerosol treatments.

You never know when you'll need your inhaler when you leave home, a flight of stairs, that walk in the parking lot, a change in temperature and suddenly your lungs seize up, the panic floods your brain, you start to suffocate, your arms zing with an electrical sensation (meaning youre starving from oxygen) and you wet yourself as your life's end races thru your mind. Extremely terrifying! I wonder if they will prosecute & imprison us if we seek to violate the law and get what we need from other countries? The rest of the world really doesn't matter if you can't breathe!!

Also if you read the side effects of HFA propellant - Hair loss is amongest them!

My son needed a new inhaler for his asthma. We tried 3 different HFA inhalers--each at $20 copay instead of $10. They simply do not work as well. He has had asthma for 15 years and the problem is NOT because he doesn't know how to use the inhaler. It JUST DOESN'T WORK AS WELL! I worry that if he has a really bad attack, he will end up in the hospital.

several extra and more expensive copays.

Inhalers switch to 134A refrigerant propellant. Flovent, MaxAir Autohaler. Throat closing up, syptoms got worse. Found out they had changed propellant. Ceased using it and stayed in controlled air conditioning more. Freon 134A is a poision, see the MSD!!!!! I could not believe this was approved for use.

Spent a lot of time unable to sleep comfortablably, now have a perforated septum in my nose and breathe poorly with nose a lot of time. Loss of moisture in mouth and nasal passages making it even harder to breathe at night. Nasal passages do not allow enough air in to breathe much of the time now. Had a very dificult time swallowing for a long time.

I am asthmatic, lifelong, and when using the ProAir HFA MID, it does not relieve my asthma, nor that of my daughter, who also has asthma. Wjen I attempted to use it to relieve an asthma attack, even after taking several puffs more than the recommended dosage, my asthmatic attack was not relieved like it would have been from the CFC inhalers we used to be able to get.

I remained in respiratory distress until I was able to find an old CFC inhaler in a drawer. I obtained as many prescriptions for my daughter and myself as I could before the ban took effect 31 Dec 08. After that, I don't know what we are going to do except order from overseas. I don't care if it's legal or not; I will do what I have to in order to save my daughter's and my life, because the FDA would rathr us die than do the right thing and bring back the CFC inhalers. We will not die from not being able to have access to the medication we need; we will find a way to get it.

I contacted the manufacturer after I used the Proventil HFA inhaler for the first time. I had several asthma attacks in a weeks time and each time I used the inhaler and got NO response. It didn't stop the attack. I had an old CFC albuterol on hand and used it...it stopped the asthma attack in less than one minute. The pharmacist at Schering Plough told me the HFA inhaler had a different taste and feel and a softer puff so if I got NO relief I must not have used it correctly and I needed to breath deeply.

When I pointed out I have been an asthmatic for 10 plus years and never had an issue using an inhaler, she just repeated herself. I asked how I was suppose to breath deeply when my airways where constricted and tight and she just said again, I should have my inhaler technique checked as the HFA inhalers work.I must be doing something wrong. I then filed a complaint with the FDA but also got no response.

I purchased 3 proventil inhalers from my mail order pharmacy. Since they did not work for me, Schering Plough said that I could return the inhalers to them,(and they reimbursed my out of pocket expenses) I was told they would inspect them and see if there was a problem and someone from the tech department would be in touch with me to discuss my experience. Its been nearly a year and there has been no further contact from them. I have also tried the Proventil HFA and also got no response.

As an asthmatic I rely on my asthma inhaler to open my inhalers in the event of an asthma attack. What happens when my backup reliable CFC albuterol expires? I have no rescue inhaler? Asthma attacks can be fatal...and without a viable safe effective rescue medication I am very concerned about the future. I am afraid of what will happen when my remaining CFC albuterol inhalers expire. I have a nebulizer at home, but what happens if I am out of the house when an attack hits? This is not a matter of cost--its a matter of my life when it comes to an asthma attack and I have no inhaler that will work.

When an asthma attack occurs, the person has little ability to inhale or exhale. It's almost like drowning. The banned cfc inhalers basically power blasted the medication deep into the affected area and opened up the airways. The new inhalers don't do this. Christopher Kelly, spokesman for the FDA, wouldn't make stupid comments like, People will have to get used to them, if he himself had asthma. That's like saying, People should get used to starvation because the byproduct of eating causes methane gas, and harms the environment. This was a very dangerous decision, made without consideration for the masses, and people are dying so that certain Tree Huggers can feel important.

I don't want to die when my old supply of cfc inhalers run out. I have tried them all and they don't work.

After the first inhale, I started coughing and my throat felt strange. It was SO harsh. It did NOT open my airways enough to breathe freely. I kept trying it for a couple of days, but things just got worse. I felt tightening in my chest, wheezing, asthma, more coughing, couldn't breathe and finally had to go on antibiotics and prednisone and was out of work for a week. I immediately stopped taking the HFA Inhaler. Luckily I was able to obtain more of the CFC Inhalers at that time (this was Fall of 2008). Now the CFC Inhalers are gone and it is very scary not to have them on hand. The CFC Inhalers immediately open my airways fully and I can breathe freely. And CFC doesn't make me get sick!!!

The physical damage is my concern with the HFA Inhalers. They are very harsh, cause coughing, sore throat, inflamed lungs, wheezing and asthma worsens. HFA Inhalers cause a life-threatening scare that no one should experience. I, along with thousands of Americans, recommend that the CFC Inhalers be brought back on the market. I am thankful for the hard work that founders of The National Campaign to Save CFC Asthma Inhalers have done on-line. I am a member and support their actions. We hope that President Obama will issue an emergency order to allow the CFC Inhalers in the US as soon as possible. Those of us with asthma want to BREATHE!

The inhalers that helped me breathe since age 3 are no longer available.

If I had to tag a number on the effectiveness of these hfa inhalers vs the cfc inhalers, I would say the hfa inhalers are about 20% as effective as the cfc inhalers for me.

Fortunately for me, I'm tapping into true medicine (eliminating allergies, building a strong immune system and utilizing Eastern healing techniques) which are dramatically helping me breathe, however, when a rescue inhaler is necessary, I'd love to just be able to use the ones I have had since age 3 to help me breathe rather than being forced to use these mandatory HFA inhalers which are about 20% as effective in relieving breathing troubles.

If the goal is to kill asthmatics and increase suffering - then by all means continue to force us on HFA inhalers.

If the goal is to alleviate suffering and open the airways in our lungs, then by all means give us the option to use the CFC inhalers which already worked perfectly fine.

Just look at us. Everything is backwards; everything is upside down. Doctors destroy health, lawyers destroy justice, universities destroy knowledge, governments destroy freedom, the major media destroy information and religions destroy spirituality.

I have had chronic asthma since I was about four years old. I have always needed a rescue inhaler regardless of what preventive medication I used. CFC inhalers have saved me many times from serious, life-threatening asthma attacks. When I tried the HFA inhalers, I knew immediately that they did not work right. When I am having trouble breathing, I need to use the HFA inhaler twice as much and still, the level of relief is below that of a CFC inhaler. I urge the government to listen to the objections of asthmatics and others who have breathing problems.

I agree that people need to keep their asthma under control but rescue inhalers play an important role in the ability to do that. Please legalize CFC inhalers so that we can focus on our lives instead of worrying about our breathing.

I had been using an albuteral inhaler for approximately 10 years when I had the following experience. I had gone to the doctor to get a refill in January 2008 for my albuteral inhaler. When I filled it later on, I didn't give the prescription a second thought when it was filled, I merely thought it was a different drug company. At the time, I was unaware of the discontinuation of CFC inhalers and their replacement with HFC inhalers, so I came to this new product with absolutely no preconceived opinions or judgements. I expected this new company's product to work in the same way as others had...that it would relieve sudden onset symptoms of respiratory distress immediately. I do not have need of an inhaler on a regular basis, just when I am exposed to things I am allergic to, e.g. cats, excessive animal hair, cigarette smoke, excessive dust & pollens.

I must have my inhaler with me at all times, in case I run into unexpected problems, such as someone's pet cat that they forgot to tell me about. Also, I need it when I walk to exercise because of the air-quality, dust & heat where I live. To get back to my experience with Pro-Air inhaler. In May 2008, I had a Memorial Day party at my home. I do not allow smoking for the reasons I stated above. All smokers must go the street in front of my house. However, on this particular day, one of the smokers was quite handicapped & I said it would be OK for him to remain where he was on the back patio. There was nothing else for me to do. I didn't worry too much, I would remain away from him when he was smoking & anyway, I had my trusty inhaler. This was the first opportunity of my needing to use the Pro-Air inhaler, as I still had had inhalations left in my old inhaler. As I feared, the smoke bothered me & I resorted to my inhaler.

However, much to my panic, the inhaler did NOT work. I experienced absolutely NO relief. I tried to stay inside for a bit to give myself time to recover, but it didn't help. I tried more inhaler, again, absolutely no relief. In the end, I had to excuse myself from my own party & I remained indoors. Several hours later, still feeling tight in the chest & breathing shallowly, I took more inhaler. Still no relief. I went back to the pharmacist who gave me a new refill saying there must have been something wrong with that inhaler. Several days later when I was on an excersie bike & had to reach for my inhaler, which I must have when I am exercising, the Pro-Air did not work again & I was forced to stop the bike. I have not been able to use the bike or walk for health since, because the Pro-Air inhaler does not work and I can not risk having to go to the ER.

Just last month, I went to my doctor & had him write me a presciption for liquid albuteral for use in a nebulizer because I know that I no longer have a fast-acting inhaler that I can depend on. Thanks goodness I work for myself at home because I don't know of any employers who would hire someone who had to lug a nebulizer to the office every day. And I fear that travel is out because I always need my inhaler on an airplane. Where am I supposed to set up a nebulizer inflight? I have already had to tell my sister in Montreal that I will not be able to attend her son's wedding because flying is out of the question. I can't risk it.

As I said above, without a working fast-acting inhaler that I can depend on, my life will be very different and limting. Air travel will be out of the question. Any real exercise will be out of the question. Some excursions will be out of the question. I was looking forward this year to taking my granddaughter to the Renaissance Faire, but without my inhaler to depend upon, I will have to stay home. I'm sure I am in store for many more disappointments such as this, which may seem inconsequential to most people, but are a HUGE disappointment for me.

Before the ban went into effect, I was given the HFA inhaler when my prescription for the CFC was to be refilled, shocked first off by the huge increase in price even on an HMO the price was 60 because it was out of plan, no generic, etc. GREAT not something a woman on disability could afford. So I paid for the one and tried it like a good patient after I called my doctor when the pharmacy gave me their reasons for swapping out the CFC inhaler, heck they did not tell me until I questioned the price and name change to ProAir.

I've had chronic asthma since I was a child of 5 and my parents fought for my life many of days/nites before the CFC inhalers came into the picture, after that it has literally saved my life over and over again.

I have an adult son who is also an asthmatic who has no insurance and cannot afford even one inhaler, I used to let him borrow mine if needed when he was visiting, now I guard mine with my life. I used to pay 10 for my generic version and it worked.

When having an asthma attack, it's like trying to breath through a coffee stir stick, that's the best way I can describe it. Then the panic sets in and the chest hurts, not enough air gets in, sitting up, standing up, anything to help get air in, it's scary big time. Only twice in my life has it been out of control that I did not have an inhaler with me and had to go to the nearest urgent care/hospital for neubilization to get me breathing properly.

Anyhow back to the 4 months that I used the ProAir HFA inhaler, the first time I had an attack, there was no way in hell that I could get a deep enough breath to get that soft, suffocating, medication into my lungs, it stuck on the sides of my cheeks, the back of my throat, my nose started itching and then I started with a sneezing attack which only aggravated the asthma attack even more. I had to take another puff, again nothing was happening, I was beginning to panic, usually with a small single puff of my CFC could I get the relief of lungs opening up to get a more deeper breath in with more medication and usually two puffs max would get me going just fine again.

With the HFA inhaler, not only does it not work, it gave me headaches, dizziness, my chest never gets full breaths of air in, it feels heavy and it's very very scary. Many more puffs were needed each time during that 4 month period and believe it or not I had to use my almost empty CFC inhaler to get me thru the wrose of the attacks. I hated feeling nervous fidgity all the time as well, thinking that was a side affect as well, when questioned my physician about it, she said that all of those things are possible side affects and that I might be having allergic reations to some of the chemicals in it.

Well hells bells I surely do not want to have to spend more money I do not have on medication that is needed to fix other problems caused by my inhaler when I already have to deal with broken titanium in my tush and live on pain meds daily that are life needed as well. This just bites big time for me. I have many more years yet with my two new granddaughters to live and danged if I'm going to let the gov't control what medications I can choose from due to the ozone vice lives saved and my quality of life has changed. I'm on my last two CFC inhalers that I was able to find at another local pharmacy again for only 10 dollars vice the freakin' 60 bucks and I don't know what to do when they run out... please someone hear our pleas, there have already been many deaths, many more trips to the hospitals, God only knows how many more are going to be the result of this so called inhalant that may work for 'some' but not all. I have not found any studies that show it's effectiveness, not to mention it's nasty to have to keep clean all the time, heck the CFC I could just swip with a kleenex and puff again!

Our lovely Food and Drug Admin. decided they should lie in bed with the EPA and work in unison to ban unthreatening CFC MDI's in the interest of saving our ozone layer, but at the expense of human lives.

Plain and simple, for those of us with severe lung impairment, HFA inhalers are proving NOT nearly as effective as CFC inhalers. Not only that, they can and do sometimes worsen the ability to breathe. And, we're talking life-threatening here. This is not funny. There are lives at stake here.

When I'm bent over and struggling to breathe, the last thing I want to do is use an inhaler that constricts my lungs even further. Moreover, standard protocols to control the airways do not always work, (as in steroid-resistant asthma), ...and for some like myself, aggravate a systemic yeast infection which does, in turn, worsen the already out-of-control inflammation in my body, and hence my asthma.

For me, it's a lose-lose situation. Therefore, I am forced to rely only on my CFC activated inhaler to control my asthma. When my lungs are in lock-down mode from a severe asthma attack, an inhaler that aggressively and quickly puts the medication into my lungs is critical when you barely have the breath to breathe it in. It's called a rescue inhaler for a reason. In an emergency situation, it's life versus death. THIS IS INSANITY. THIS BAN NEEDS TO BE QUICKLY REVERSED!

I have had asthma for over 26 years now and had always been able to rely on my inhaler if something should of triggered an asthma attack. I recently have been using the HFA replacement for the CFC propellant and had noticed that I use it almost twice as much as I was using the CFC propelled inhaler. Plain and simple the HFA propellant just does not work as effective as the CFC. I experience headaches, sore throat and consume way to much of an EMERGENCY inhaler. I also have been on Singulair and Allegra D to help with trouble breathing at night, but still have not been able to function like I used to be able to when I used the CFC propelled inhaler.

I use it almost twice as much as I was using the CFC propelled inhaler.

I experience headaches, sore throat and consume way to much of an EMERGENCY inhaler.

I had exercised-induced asthma. All was under control with my CFC inhaler. Two puffs before being active and all was well. I am now a FULL-BLOWN asthmatic ever since taking the HFA inhaler. I have since been perscribed to take two additional asthma medications on a daily basis. Clearly, my simple condition has progressed into a more serious one. The only variable that changed was the type of inhaler. Please help all of us who are suffering and now in danger of serious asthma-related hospitalizations (or worse...)

I am 55 yrs old and have had asthma all my life. I have had several close and frightening instances where I had an attack and my Albuterol CFC inhaler saved my life. No one knows the feeling of not being able to breath due to asthma if you've never been there. You're literally dying. Gasping for air, turning purple, wheezing, on the verge of passing out. I was given one of the new inhalers (HFA) which I DISPISE. They don't work, no matter what the FDA says. And they are always so reliabe and honest, aren't they? I still couldn't breath and was pankicking. Luckily, my brother still had several of the other GOOD CFC ALBUTEROL inhalers, which saved me. Please do something to bring these back. People's lives are at stake. Not the ozone.

I have had asthma for about 30 years and COPD for the last 15. My asthma has always been well controlled with medications and inhalers, including CFC albuterol inhalers. I lead a very active life. I work out at the gym 3 times a week and am very involved with friends and family.

A few months ago my doctor switched me to ProAir HFA inhaler. My asthma immeditely became worse. After 3 days I had bronchitis. I went on antibiotics and prednisone. After I was well, I tried the HFA inhalers again, Proventil this time. Again I became ill because my airways were never clear. I have made many attempts since then. Always with the same result. I COULD NOT BREATHE.

I went back to the CFC inhalers and have had no problems since. I have a supply on hand, but live in fear of what will happen once they are gone.

I will not be able to continue the healthy, active life style I now enjoy.

How can the FDA condemn so many asthmatics to this fate? Why is there not a mercy clause in this law that allows those for whom the HFA inhalers do not work to continue using the CFC's, especially when the FDA has stated that the damage done to the ozone layer by inhalers is negligible?

Why is no one listening when so may asthmatics are complaining? Something has to be done to right this wrong.

Have used Alupent Inhaler since 1985. Tried other inhalers but nothing but Alupent has worked. Even Alupent only moderately controls my asthma but they have discontinued it because of the CFC ban. Unfortunately there is no HFA alternative being developed for Alupent. What am I and others supposed to do? Does no-one care that they have sentenced an entire group of people to death?

I am already disabled because of the asthma so I expect it will get worse and I might die. All because of the CFC ban.

I gave up trying and went back to my albuterol inhaler. I reported back to my doctor that the HFA inhaler did not work and he just said that he had heard the same complaint from other patients and that hopefully the pharmaceutical companies would make changes to it (to make it more effective) before the CFC's were phased out. 10 years later, now that the CFC's are phased out I'm extremely dissapointed that the HFA's are still not effective and not working for patients. My asthma has been very under control since I began to regularly use Advair (a metered dose powder steroid inhaler). Now the only time I experience asthma symptoms is when I have some kind of cold or respiratory infection. CFC inhalers NEED to be returned to people who need them.

I have COPD and have used Albuterol CFC Inhaler for many years for quick relief for air restriction. The problem now is that I cannot get the relief from PROAIR and makes me feel worse, besides the fact it says 200 metered sprays but only gives you 40-50 sprays, if that much. Something is VERY WRONG with the PROAIR INHALER. I now use my nebulizer instead, but you cannot take the nebulizer with you everywhere you go. Who ever banned the CFC inhaler obvisously has never had ASHTMA OR COPD!

The cost used to be around $14 now for Pro Air is $40 for a useless inhaler. Concerned if I get really sick What do I use for instant relief for air restricton when not at home.

I firt found out about the change to a different inhaler at the pharmacy. I complained to my doctor that it did not work as well, and HE AGREED WITH ME, but could do nothing about the fact that they were not going to be available to us any longer. The new HFA asthma inhalers are a joke. And the argument that a few medically necessary inhalers are harming the ozone layer is absolutely absurd in light of the amount of industrial environmental harm the US continues to allow -- perhaps President Obama will help us change the big money lobbying that controls our country.

I have somewhat controlled asthma, unless I exercise, have a cold, or some other illness. So while I did not use my inhaler as frequently as others, I need it for times of illness and during times of physical activity. This new one does not help me, and the last time I had a cold, it took forever to go away. I could not get a handle on my asthma and ended up in urgent care for it--this was the first time in years that I had to seek emergency care for my asthma. It just doesn't open up your airways fast enough.

Everyone says you have to use it right. Where is the consumer protection in that statement! If a product is not fit for ordinary use, it should not be on the market. If hundreds of people don't use it right, then something is wrong with the product - not the people. I have taken all the training regarding how to use the inhaler -- it still doesn't help. This is simply a defective product and as these testimonies suggest, a dangerous product.

I have had asthma all my life. I control it with albuterol and antihistamine because of the dangerous side effects (for me) produced by steroid inhalers. I became aware of the change from CFC to HFA through the May New York Times article. I was alarmed and went to the walk-in clinic. The doctor gave me a Pro-Air inhaler which I used in her office. It did nothing for my asthma. The doctor said its not a rescue inhaler, and wrote me a prescription for generic CFC inhalers which I could fill before the ban went into effect.

I was recently in Mexico City where a combination of high altitude, pollution and a chest cold gave me a frightening bout of asthma. I am convinced the if I had had an HFA inhaler instead of a CFC inhaler I would have died. I am a green type of person, I eat organic, I participated in the very first Earth Day, and many thereafter, I recycle and bring my own bags to the grocery store. I do not believe that the amount of CFC released into the air (it goes in my mouth) is nearly enough to ban this essential health device.

I am afraid of dying in an asthma attack.

Back in March 2007, I was told the CFC inhalers were no longer available, and was given the Pro-Air HFA inhaler. After usung it, I could not catch my breath, the adverse reaction took 12 hours to abate. I missed work due to this. I have never had a reaction like this with the CFC inhalers, obviously, the new propellant is an irritant. I have stocked up on multiple Warrick inhlalers, in the hope this ban will be reversed.

Unable to catch my breath, labored breathing, fatigue.

As soon as I was no longer able to use my old Warrick Albuterol, USP inhaler trouble began. First I was given a (1)Ventolin HFA inhaler which offered NO relief-instead it made my asthma worse. I was not getting any relief when I needed it (2) Next I tried ProAir HFA (albuterol sulfate) which offered nothing in the way of relief.

(3) I am presently taking Xopenex HFA which is miles better than the first two, but still requires doses in the morning and at night. I can ocassionally go for 3-4 days without using Xopenex HFA, however, I was able to go for months without using my Warrick Inhaler USP. I have managed to get a few Warrick inhalers and use that when things are bad...as the ONLY way of saving myself.

Then I discover that Singulair was making me worse too. I have been off Singulair for 4 months now, and some improvement is noted.

However, my inhaler is still not as effective as the old Warrick formula.

From March-June I suffered with the first 2 inhalers to the point that I thought I should make funeral arrangements.

I use a mail order pharmacy. In 2008, the new HFA inhalers were sent to me to replace the CFC albuterol inhalers that I had been using to ease asthma symptoms. I discovered that the new inhalers just didn't work. It was like being asked to take in a long deep breath with a one inch diameter pipe in your mouth, there was no resistance and I just couldn't do it. Also, I could not feel the spray of mist as it came out, couldn't taste it and never could any benefit after it's usage. I never knew if I was sucking on an empty cannister or not. The only way to tell if there was any medication left was to spray it up into the air, not exactly what someone wants to do with a very expensive medication.

I found a local walk-in pharmacy that still had a supply or source for the CFC inhalers, got a new prescription from my doctor allowing more inhalers and was able to stockpile about 8 inhalers prior to the end of 2008. I also went on-line and was able to buy 6 CFC albuterol inhalers from a pharmacist in India. So, right now I have enough CFC albuterol inhalers to last a couple of years. After 2 years or so I don't know what to do. The ProAir HFA inhalers that my mail order pharmacy will send will not stop my asthma attacks. I suspect I will make more trips to the hospital.

I am complaining about the proposed ban on some inhalers used for Astma suffers by the FDA.

I am 54 years old and I have had Asthma all my life and have seen many doctors over the years. They have prescribed many different inhalers trying to control it. The only product that has been on the market for over 40 years that works for me and thousands of other sufferers is Primatene mist which now the FDA and their ignorance is trying to get banned because of a possible? detriment to the ozone layer. I appalled that someone could think up an excuse like this to force sufferers to use a high costing substitutes that do not work.

It is clear that the FDA does not care or have any consideration for the people that help pay their salaries. This is a scam put out and lobbied by the makers and suppliers of these drugs that do not work. This decision by the FDA is going to lead to wrong full death lawsuits as people will die because of it. Hospitals will be overwhelmed with suffers that cannot get any relief. Leave well enough alone!!! If they are so concerned about the environment then have them fix the exhaust from the millions of trucks, buses and cars that pollute the air. NOT from a tiny little inhaler that saves people lives. Its pitiful. Stop the nonsense now before its too late.

My son has asthma....the food elimination test for allergans produced SEVERE wheezing when corn was re-introduced into diet.

To think legislation will now remove CFC rescue inhalers which were what saved him from this severe episode, and replace it with only the new ones that have corn-derivitives in the propellents is UNCONSCIENTABLE (spell?)!!!!!

There are many people with severe corn allergies...and ANY corn derivitive can set off SEVERE reactions....

NOT BEING ABLE TO BREATHE...is not compatable with human life.......The ozone is being depleted by MANY MANY MANY things....to remove something that is only a small contributor to the total problem which can have HUGE negative impact on someone being able to BREATHE.....that is criminal.

When I got my first new inhaler I was at work. I was not expecting anything other than the relief that I had gotten from the old inhaler. After work, driving the 10 miles to home, I tried it..I had to pull over. My chest was burning, my eyes were watering, I was coughing until it hurt.I had to make the choice of chancing the drive to home to get to my nebulizer, or go to the emergency room. I did not realize that I would have to change my life and The asthma would have the upperhand from then on. I went on to home and could hardly make it into the house. I have heard the phrase, when you cant breathe, nothing else matters

I am now tied to my nebulizer. Every day, and the times whenI have a cold with the asthma, I have to rely on it. I have to take it in the car and ANYWHERE else that I go. However,it causes disturbances in my sleep patterns. The economic changes for people because of this will be astronomical. Not just the cost of the inhaler, but being tied to a nebulizer! Do they not think that if these new inhalers worked, we would be thankful for them? Why would we say we were suffering IF THEY WORKED?

My son, who is involved in sports, and uses his inhaler to be able to participate, complains that the new inhalers do not work the same as the old ones. He has maintianed this opinion the whole time he had to use them. We began getting his medicines through the mail, not realizing that it was the old inhalers; he has not complained since getting them through the mail. I just thought he was getting used to the new one or something. I just found out that they were the old ones because now they aren't available again and we were notified that they were being changed. I do not believe that asthma sufferers ESPECIALLY CHILDREN should have to sacrifice for this issue.

Economically we are now having to pay for brand name prescriptions because they are new. We have yet to see what the physical ramifications are- I only know my son is unhappy with the medication and it is WRONG to do this to people who need this medicine. There is no proof that these inhalers affect the environment. Go after people whose cars arent't meeting guidelines for pollution, make companies by hybrids. LEAVE THE INHALERS ALONE!!!!!

You need to bring back the CFC Inhalers! My partner has COPD and these new inhalers do nothing to help her. For months she tried to deal with the new inhalers and she was always wheezing and coughing. The minute she started using a CFC inhaler(when we could get them), she was able to breathe easier. We went to a website to get the CFC inhalers (yes, outside the US) just so she can breathe. This is ridiculous!

I have asthma and have had since I was 3 years old. I am now almost 52. I tried to use the Pro-Air inhaler and it was like I wasn't using an inhaler at all! The FDA says that you have to take a deep breath to get the medication into your lungs. If you are having an asthma attack, you can't take a deep breath!!!! Does anyone at the FDA have asthma? If they did, they should understand that there are quite a few times that you can't get a deep breath!!!! That is what asthma is all about! Not being able to get a full breath!

As a citizen and taxpayer in the US, my partner and I should be able to decide what kind of inhaler works for us. Not everyone is the same. We make other choices in our life, why not this?

THE FDA NEEDS TO BRING BACK THE CFC INHALERS!!! BECAUSE IF THEY DON'T, PEOPLE ARE JUST GOING TO GO OUTSIDE THE US TO GET THEM, BECAUSE THEY WORK FOR US!

Our daughter died two years ago after having her HFA inhaler for 12 days. She was not sick and was not doing any activities that were not a part of her regular routine. She was 26 years old and had been diagnosed when she was 3. She was not a rookie at managing her asthma. She had an attack on Feb. 25, 2007 and died.

My husband administered CPR and was able to get a weak pulse back. When the squad arrived they worked hard to stabilize her for transport. They lost her again during transport and were able to get her back. At the hospital they lost her again and was gotten back. She was life flighted to a larger city hospital. They placed her on life supports and did everything they could possibly do. She died on March 6, 2007.

We know without a doubt that the HFA inhaler contributed to her death. Nothing will ever convince us otherwise. Nothing can bring our daughter back. Someone MUST help the folks who are suffering ill effects from these new inhalers.

Our daughter is dead.

HFA powered inhaler. I didn't know that it was different in any way from the old CFC inhalers. I took it home and kept it with me as was my habit. One day I had an attack while outside in the frigidly cold air. I pulled out my new inhalers and tried to inhale the life saving aerosol mist...BUT IT WAS BARELY COMING OUT!! IT WAS NOT GETTING THE JOB DONE. I got in my car and drove into town to see my pharmacist because I thought the new inhaler was defective from the factory.

The pharmacist operated it a few times and told me it was functioning correctly, but that the new rescue inhalers were not as forceful as the old
CFC inhalers. He told me he was getting dozens of complaints from his asthma-suffering customers. He even related a story to me about a young high school tennis player who had an asthma attack while the pharmacist was in attendance. The young tennis player was trying to get relief from one of the new HFA inhalers but it was not working.

The pharmacist got in his car and drove to his pharmacy (it was a Sunday afternoon) and brought back one of the old CFC inhalers to bring the young tennis players symptoms under control. I became angry at that point. I realized some extremist policy makers were threatening the lives of potentially millions of people with breathing problems in order to eliminate CFC's. THIS IS WRONG AND MISGUIDED. The pharmacist sold me an old CFC inhaler and it WORKED! I asked my doctor (begged is closer) to let me stock up on the old CFC inhalers so that I could continue their use after the BAN that was to start in Dec. 21, 2008. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'LL DO WHEN MY CURRENT SUPPLY RUNS OUT. I'M HOPING THERE WILL BE A BLACK MARKET OUT THERE I CAN FIND THAT WILL SUPPLY THE CFC INHALERS.

I have asthma, which is controlled with inhaled steroids. But I desperately need the rescue Albuterol inhalers when I get bronchitis. I have used the CFC Abluterol inhalers for years with great success. Now, not only do the HFA Albuterol sulfate inhalers NOT WORK for me, but I am allergic to them (I use an HFA steroid inhaler with no problem).

I suffered a serious allergic reaction to the HFA Albuterol Sulfate inhalers (two different brands). The inhalers were also ineffective in relieving my asthma.

I am concerned about the new asthma inhalers. I do not think they are affective. I had to go to hospital because my new (much more expensive) inhaler did not provide relief.

I'm an asthmatic whose asthma is controlled by l puff of Serevent a day. Can't take steroids because of a systemic candida infection between 93-96 that almost took my life. So, I take 1 puff of Serevent at night, and normally only need to take albuterol inhaler when exercising. When I found out that Ventolin would not be available in the old form, and that the new Ventolin wouldn't be available in the states for a while, I filled a prescription for the replacement - proventil - at the drug store.

Went home, and the next time I was going to exercize, took 1 puff of the proventil. I usually only need 1 puff of albuterol to stave off exercize induced asthma. However, immediately on taking the proventil I had a horrid burning sensation in my throat and lungs, and some of the worst asthma I've ever had in my life. Luckily, I still had some of my old cfc Ventolin and took 1 puff of that. The asthma lessened, but I still felt as if I had inhaled some caustic fume. I had very bad asthma for about a week after - the obvious cause? - the new rescue inhaler - Proventil.

Increased asthma for a week, and of course, increased danger to my continued existence because of it.

The US government has by order of the clean air act switched the rescue inhalers, and the new HFA inhalers DO NOT WORK. No matter what brand I try, they are not able to give immediate relief from my asthma. When I first was given the new inhaler it did not work , my symptoms grew worse and worse. I ended up having to take a lot of other meds in addition , for the inhaler that used to work right away. I have now been on oral steroids several times, due to the ineffectiveness of the new HFA inhalers. They are also impossible to know if they are empty, and often clog.

I feel such fear and panic when I can;t breathe knowing that there is no longer anything that works immediately. I am fearful of traveling away from home, and worry about the exorbatant cost of the new inhalers. I fear that I can't pay for the help that I need. THe old CFC inhaler had vertually changed my life and given me freedom and taken away alll my symptoms. I need help.

While I was raised with the understanding that you do not say anything if there is nothing nice to be said, it is now physically and emotionally necessary to speak up. HFA inhalers have slow, if any, physical benefit with too many detrimental side effects and high costs.

I am a 40 year old female with chronic acute asthma since childhood. For over three decades I have survived, and even thrived at times, with this debilitating condition. My asthma is completely controlled with a specific drug cocktail of advair, singulair, albuterol, allegra, and during peek annual allergic periods an addition of small doses of prednisone only when absolutely necessary.

Since the change over from CFC inhalers to the new HFA inhalers my asthma is no longer under control. I have not needed my rescue inhaler this much since I was a child. The side effects of this new medication are excessive; the need to use it more often than not, the constant headaches, high blood pressure and heart palpitations, hair loss and breakage at the root, and the excessive weight gain is ridiculous. The FDA claims that you must use it properly by taking it with deep breaths. Obviously, The FDA spokesperson does not have asthma because he would know when suffering an asthma attack you can't catch your breath - let alone a deep breath.

While I am a firm believer in saving our ozone layer for everyone, asthmatics and all others, it is morally irresponsible to sacrifice the lives of many while so many other choices are available. Saving the ozone layer by eliminating much needed life saving medication rather than eliminating the spray can aerosols like hair spray, bug spray, cleaners, as well as outdated 20 to 30 year old vehicles and freezers which contribute much more to the depletion of our ozone layer than these small inhalers is to be considered a crime against humanity. Millions of people suffer from asthma, and many of those are registered, tax paying, voting, citizens.

The CFC inhalers need to be brought back until a more viable alternative is created. The FDA claims it did the requisite research, however it failed to mention that a propellant like ethanol is actually a BRONCHOCONSTRICTOR- meaning that ethanol actually constricts the airways rather than opening them. This to a chronic asthmatic is a ticking time bomb. The FDA should remember that doctors take an oath- and the primary part of that is FIRST DO NO HARM. The HFA inhalers are harmful causing limited relief, if any, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, hair loss, headaches, and weight gain. At what point do you listen to your own taxpaying voters in pain? When they start dying?
It is time to listen to the people in pain.

Making excuses is not an option; telling people that they're just not used to it is the equivalent of not listening. Asthmatics know IMMEDIATELY if their medication is working or not; don't tell us to breathe in deeply - it doesn't work that way.

There is a new asthma medicine I have had to switch to. This medication is a asthma inhaler called HFA MDI, I was used to taking the CFC MDI. I was taking the CFC for over 25 years, since I was first given to me in the hospital when I was 11 years old and now I am 39 yrs old, proving that this medication has helped me and not harmed me.

The problem with this change over is that when I am trying to take the new HFA medication it is not giving the same result as the CFC. Seems most times I have to take like 6 inhalations from the new inhaler for it to work, and even that sometimes it makes my asmtha worse. Not sure what the pharm. companys are thinking but I think they need something better before they discontiue a medication that works well.

I would like to state that, in my personal opinion, the new HFA inahlers, used as rescue inhalers for those of us suffering from COPD, are nowhere near as effective as teh ones we were able to purchase before Al Gore opened his big mouth. Nothing has been done---all of us are using 3 times the amount of inahlant, producing 1/2 the desired results of dilating our bronchial tubes!

I threw up and had extreme nausea when I tried to use the new Xopenex with HFA. I tried it again and then a friend's same medicine and I almost passed out. I use the nubulizer Xopenex with no side effects.

You need to bring back the Warwick CFA inhalers as hundreds of people are not able to use the new HFA

This is a travesty of untold proportions. 23 million asthmatics in the US - really! To take away viable effective medication that is vital for SAVING THE LIVES of pulmonary patients is insane, inhumane and criminal. Where is the World Health Organization, the protectors of human beings health, when we, the suffering asthmatics and other pulmonary patients, need them?

This noble but terribly misdirected and politicized effort at reducing CFCs for the good of the environment might be different if:

* this VITAL RESCUE MEDICATION was replaced with a medication that was effective (HFA inhalers are not equal in effectiveness for me and many others);

* had been tested thoroughly on ALL types of pulmonary patients, on vast numbers of patients (HFA inhalers were not tested thoroughly);

* were reliable (HFA inhalers are not - they must be primed, wasting medication, and they run out without notice - SUPER SCARY to those of use who rely on these for OUR LIVES - and they do NOT deliver the same amount of medication and therefore relief into the lungs);

* did not contain known allergens such as the corn-based ethanol -- do you realize how many asthmatics have allergies and how very common it is to have a corn allergy? Maybe next they'll come up with a peanut based inhaler and kill even more of us off...

* were comparably priced and sized (HFAs are triple the price for NON-EFFECTIVE medication and the 200 inhalations they claim per container do not account for the many wasted priming puffs or the extra puffs patients need BECAUSE THE STUFF DOES NOT WORK! A large portion of asthmatics are poor - do you think they'll just tough out the price TRIPLING? No they'll go without and get sick or even die.... And so too will many others not so poor, who already struggle to pay for all the other asthma meds they need to deal with their disease.

Personally, I am coughing my guts out after taking this HFA inhaler and I have to take multiple inhalations to get any kind of relief (only some clearing of the lungs versus the prescribed 2 inhalations of CFC inhaler which would completely clear me). I am actively looking for other options to obtain CFC albuterol inhalers. But that option now carries great risk of possibly receiving bad medication. Remember why our society has advocated for legal abortion? To prevent women from getting back alley botch jobs that might take their lives.... This will be the same, asthmatics desperate to get effective medication will do anything -- it is OUR BREATH, after all, much more everyday and critical than birth control. If I am successful in obtaining CFC inhalers elsewhere I risk even being prosecuted since our government has made it illegal to get drugs from outside this country.

I'm very stressed out by all of this - the problems with the effectiveness, the lack of options for me, the symptoms, the cost, the possibility of finding what I really need but the risk I'll have to take to do that. All this stress triggers even more asthma attacks. A vicious circle, compliments of the FDA. What's next? Shall you (FDA) take away my nebulizer machine too? Maybe the government would like to ensure all of us asthmatics die so as to ease the burden on the medical system?

How many of us must die or have severely reduced quality of life as a sacrifice to the political game playing tactics of our government agencies who ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LOOKING OUT FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE AMERICAN PATIENT? Why was this mandate ever even considered when the CFCs released by inhalers at the time of the Montreal Protocol was just 1/10th of one percent of the total released worldwide? Isn't this crazy? I mean, when do the crazies at the FDA wake up and realize that the US in 1997 was 63rd of 102 countries in the amount of CFCs consumed? When you look at the amount the US is responsible for, it is MINUSCULE in comparison to the countries that are dumping mass amounts of this into the environment. How can this tiny amount of reduction possibly balance against the lives of 23 million Americans? And more - that is not counting the COPD, bronchitis and other patients that also need to use albuterol inhalers. It might be 50 million counting them...

Why doesn't the FDA assemble a board of 50 pulmonary physicians and 50 diagnosed asthmatics of all types to decide what is best for use in treating this disease? Where is the follow up studies and response? People are in distress. Doctors know this, nurses know this, pharmacists know this. When will something be done about it? I'll bet there are no asthmatics in the FDA to suffer from this terrible tragic mistake of banning albuterol CFC inhalers. And I'll bet if there are any asthmatic employees at the FDA or the drug companies, they have been warned to keep their mouths shut on this topic or else they'll be looking for new jobs.

This degrades my quality of life. I have to use a nebulizer now and be tethered to this breathing machine in order to breathe because this new inhaler does not work. I guess I'll have to get a portable one to carry too because the HFA albuterol inhaler DOES NOT WORK! I cannot believe that our idiotic government has condemned millions to this pain and degradation of lifestyle. We need a rescue from the new Obama administration. I cannot believe they will go along with this debacle and I have faith that President Obama will do what is right for the citizens of this country and let us have the medication that we so desperately need. It's all I have to hope for at this point.

And don't get me started on how the drug companies were thrilled to be complicit in this so they could get back to premium prices for newly patented PROPELLANT formulas, NOT for new medication. I'd better stop now, I feel a wheeze coming on from the stress of thinking this through all over again.

I have allergy induced asthma. I only occasionally need an inhaler. However when I do need one. I need it to actually work...NOT make my asthma WORSE. The ProAir HFA actually made a mild asthma attack into a bad one. Thank goodness I used it on a mild attack. I will guess if I had used it on a serious one I would have been hospitalized. I am also thankful I had one of my old inhalers still at the time I tried the new one. I am now terrified of having to use one of the new inhalers. I am perfectly aware of HOW to use an inhaler. I do NOT depend on the strength of the puff the inhaler puts out to get the medicine into my lungs.

I think all the blaming it on us for improper use is [wrong]. Though when you are in the middle of an asthma attack and having issues actually getting air into your lungs .. the whole take a deep breath to get the medicine into your lungs thing is. Well that is what the medicine is supposed to help you do...BREATHE! When your lungs close up it is hard to get your breath at all...much less take a deep one. I mean I did not think that breathing was optional though evidently the folks who put out these new inhalers did. Seriously what person on earth could think that Alcohol would be a good thing to put in someones lungs? Ethanol is a form of alcohol. Seriously does that sound like a good idea to you?

The ProAir HFA MADE MY ASTHMA WORSE!

These new HFA Inhalers do not work, WE NEED OUR OLD CFC INHALERS BACK.

Almost died.

My asthma was under control, until I began using the new HFA inhaler. I'm not sure if I'm allergic to the propellent, or what, but this stuff causes my throat to swell and burn. My primary care physician finally concluded that I was sensitive to the new propellent and now I am forced to use a nebulizer, when necessary.

My Doctor who has asthma agrees with me but feels as helpless as I do. This has effected my quality of life. I can no longer go about my routines like I used to. I am 52 years old and do not know how much longer I can keep working my job without the CFC inhalers.

I wake up in the night with rapid heart palpitations as I know I have used too much of the HFA inhalers, but would not be able to breathe otherwise. I worry that I will soon have a heart attack or cardiac arrest.

When my pharmacy gave me an HFA Inhaler last summer instead of my usual CFC albuterol inhaler, I immediately let them know that they had made a mistake. That was how I was informed that the old CFC inhalers were being banned.

Within a few days, I used the new HFA inhaler to halt an impending asthma episode. To my horror, it not only did not feel or taste right, it was not effective in stopping the tightness and wheezing. I tried the HFA inhaler again and got very little relief. I found an almost empty CFC inhaler and used that and got almost instantaneous relief.

I called my pharmacist and reported the problem and she was very sympathetic. She called her supplier's warehouse and was able to get me a few of the old CFC inhalers that had been put aside. (For what? To go to waste when the ban went into affect on Jan. 1st?) So, I used those inhalers for the last 6 months and had no problems getting immediate relief.

Unfortunately, now I am just about out of them and have only the new HFA inhalers on hand. I have to tell you that I am very worried, and even scared, about how it will work when I need it to work the most.

I have voiced my fears to my doctor and she is going to refer me to a pulmonary specialist to see if there is something else that I can try that will work. Hopefully, there is something.

In the meantime, I have made sure that I am well stocked up on vials of albuterol for the nebulizer, which I know will work. But that's not something that you can tuck into your purse for emergencies away from home.

I honestly don't know how this will all turn out, but I am worried. For myself and the thousands of other asthmatics that I understand have experienced the same ineffective results with the new HFA inhalers.

Hopefully, this ban on CFC inhalers will be lifted.

I have had incidents with the inhalers. They tend to have exactly the opposite effect for a prolonged amount of time. The object is to stop the narrowing of the airways - quickly, not use a device that constricts the airways more - before it opens them, and then only opens them part of the way. Brain damage occurs at about 4 minutes and the new inhalers don't work quickly. Can yu imagine how terrifying it is for a person to be smothering? That's what it's like. Your brain is still working, but you can't breathe, and your rescue inhaler has made the ability to breathe worse - instead of better.

Passing out from lack of oxygen isn't fun either, and leads to other injuries - if you live long enough to be rescued by your HFA rescue inhaler - with your brain intact. If I weren't getting CFC inhalers from another country, I wouldn't be able to leave my home, and I would have to be within reach of my nebulizer machine at all times, and pray the electricity doesnt't go out. The law needs to be changed - quickly! Incidentally, I reported my problems with the HFA inhalers to the government and I tell every doctor and person I can about them. I also tell my doctors that they need to report patient incidents to the government, but I don't know if they do or not.

I was a nurse before I got sick, and I tend to think that the doctors just want to keep on keepin' on, and not ruffle the government's feathers, which is one of the things wrong with the medical profession. I have had asthma all my life, spent many holidays in the hospital in my childhood because of asthma, and got the CFC inhalers in my early 30's when they can out. I never had a real problem with asthma after that. If I thought an asthma attack was coming on, I inhaled 1 or 2 puffs, and I was good as new within a minute. No other medicines were needed. Now with the HFA's, I'm on 2 other medicines besides the new inhaler, and one of them will destroy my bones in time, and gives me vaginal infections. Somehow, I don't feel better off, and now am handicapped.

I must get inhalers from another country, or should I say countries, any country that makes them, or I must stay housebound near my nebulizer machine.

I have had mild asthma for years, only needing my rescue inhaler (albuterol CFC) on occasion. Beginning in January 2009 I started having problems. I couldn't take a deep breath and I felt like I wasn't getting enough air. I started using my new ProAir HFA inhaler more often, which I got the first week of January. I made sure to shake it extra well and clean it often, as directed.

Day by day I felt more tired and had more difficulty breathing. I began having chest pains upon exertion. I started to worry that I was having heart problems. Finally I had gotten so bad that simply washing my hair or sweeping the floor made me dizzy and brought on more chest pains. My face felt flushed and strange, like I was going to pass out, but I didn't. Instead I sat down and took aspirin.

Finally I called the nurse hotline at my insurance. We talked about my problems. I didn't think it was my asthma because I wasn't having asthma attacks, no wheezing, just shortness of breath and the chest pains and dizziness. The nurse told me to go to the hospital ER, which I did. After several hours in the ER I was admitted. This was January 22, 2009. I spent 5 days in Immediate Care, hooked up to a heart monitor. I had numerous tests and scans. I had a stress test which brought on a full-blown chest pain, dizziness, flushed face episode for the doctor to see.

Because of the abnormal stress test, I had a heart cath (angiogram) to check for blockage. The result of all the tests showed that my heart is healthy. I still did not know the cause of the pain. I was, however, feeling much better because the hospital gave me an albuterol CFC inhaler, so I was using it instead of the ProAir HFA. It wasn't until I had my follow-up appointment that I learned the source of my pain was bronchial spasm. I never in my whole life of being asthmatic have I ever experienced anything like that---never.

I have experienced an asthma attack where I would wheeze and have difficulty breathing, but never pain and dizziness. Using my inhaler would open my lungs and stop the attack. But this was different. Using the ProAir did not make me feel better. Looking back I could see that my problems began gradually and worsened gradually but they began when I started using the ProAir and stopped when I stopped using the ProAir. When my albuterol CFC runs out I have a prescription for XOPENEX HFA. I hope I do better with it, if not, I don't know what I'll do.

My parents raised me to be environmentally aware. Acting responsibly toward the environment is something I've always done. I share the same outrage as others regarding the crimes against our planet, but I also believe that the minute amount of CFC released from an inhaler is insignificant enough not to damage the Ozone. I understand some people are doing well with an HFA inhaler. That's fine, but for those who are having horrible reactions to the propellant, we need to have the option of having our CFC inhalers back.

I had a bad reaction to the ProAir HFA inhaler which resulted in 5 days in the hospital in Immediate Care and an angiogram from which I needed to recover. Thankfully I have insurance, but it cost my insurance over $35,000. There was no charge to me but still, ethically speaking, that was an expensive dose of asthma spray.

I have to strain in order to draw medicine out of the new HFA inhaler when I am not having a asthma attack. When I am having an asthma attack I have to take double the amount of puffs in order to draw the albuterol into my lungs and wait up to 30 minutes to get relief. I have been fortunate enough not to have had a severe asthmatic fit as of yet. I know this inhaler could not save my life if it depended on it and I will have to have my husband drive me to the ER when it happens.

I have to pay more than double for an inhaler that will not stop a severe asthma attack. I am financially OK, but other people are not right now and your ability to live should not be based on your current income. This new inhaler will result in more financial hardship and emergency room trips for Americans.

My CFC inhaler was switched to HFA-propellant inhaler for asthma because of the new international law banning CFC asthma inhalers.

Within 3 weeks of starting the new HFA inhaler, my normally well-controlled asthma became scarily severe. I lacked enough breath, gasping for air, to finish my sentences and began wheezing after walking up half a block of a slowly rising hill. I had previously had bad experiences with other HFA asthma inhalers, but was told I had to switch to this and it would be better. I must be allergic to something in the HFA propellant. Upon switching back off of the HFA inhalers and onto my usual CFC albuterol, my asthma symptoms returned to their previous mild to moderate severity. The month when I could not breathe was one of the scariest of my life.

I am 36 years old and am mother to two young children. The cost of the new inhalers does not concern me because I WILL NOT BUY THEM again. They cause my health to deteriorate. Using them for a prolonged period would most likely cause my death. I am very worried about not having CFC inhalers available, dying and leaving my two sweet young children motherless. My most sincere hope is that this law can be repealled expeditiously without too many human casualties along the way. The FDA has clearly made a mistake in its safety assessment of HFA propellant. I am an ardent environmentalist, but do not believe the environmental benefit of this CFC ban merits the major health threat it is causing HFA-allergic asthma sufferers.

4 puffs and 10 minutes later the gym people were ready to call 911 on me as I got much worse, when I remembered that I had my old inhaler in the car. 1 puff of the environmentally dangerous old Armstrong inhaler and 3 minutes later I could breathe and think of driving myself home.

On a few other occasions ProAir made me feel worse (and I did not always have the old inhaler on hand, so I did end up in the ER twice). Even with insurance, ER hits the wallet of a poor student. When I think that it was unnecessary, had I been able to use the old-style inhaler it makes my blood boil.

New HFA albuterol inhaler replaced old CFC albuterol inhaler. These inhalers are for rescue use, for sudden asthma attacks - not for maintenance use. New inhaler acts much more slowly. When having a sudden attack, you need fast action to relieve the symptoms. Asthma is the inability to breathe, which makes it impossible to take the deeper breath necessary to get the medicine into your lungs with this weaker propellant. New inhaler clogs much more easily. Instructions say to wash it more frequently, but when having an attack it is too late to wash it out and let it dry.

The HFA inhaler fails as a rescue device, which is after all the only use of albuterol consistent with good asthma management. This new inhaler is going to kill somebody - hopefully not me.

I was given a sample PROAIR inhaler by my pulmonary doctor, and this was the first I learned that the CFC inhalers were being done away with. The inhaler made my chronic asthma worse - it made me cough, and I had trouble breathing for DAYS after use. My 24 year old son, who is also a lifelong, chronic asthmatic, had the exact same experience. Not only that, the new inhalers COST MORE at the pharmacy.

Upon further investigation, I learned that a part of the propellant being used is ETHANOL - jet fuel - KNOWN TO BE HARMFUL TO ASTHMATICS! I will not knowingly inhale ETHANOL and/or buy ANY product which uses ETHANOL as a propellant. I am now buying my inhalers OUTSIDE the UNITED STATES. And people wonder why this country is in the state it is in!

To promote the propoganda that the CFC propellant used by millions of asthmatics in their rescue inhalers, and to remove them from the market, when I can go to the corner drugstore and still buy EASY OFF OVEN CLEANER or AQUA NET HAIRSPRAY is a prime example of how ridiculous this ban on CFC inhalers is. It is obvious to me that profits by pharmaceutical companies are more important than the health of millions of asthmatics who rely on their rescue inhalers for every breath they take.

Consequences: Asthma attack BROUGHT ON by the product. Who knows if there was any permanent damage to my health from inhaling ETHANOL! I ceased use, and threw the product in the trash, as I was not willing to continue to jeopardize my health. Economic damage: out of pocket expense of $35.00 for my insurance co-pay.

In the first week in the middle of the night I woke up needing my inhaler which I always keep under my pillow. I could not get relief from the new HFA inhaler! Quickly I ran to my purse where I had an old CFC inhaler and used that. Immediatly I could feel my lungs relaxing. I could then breathe freely and could go back to bed. The next morning I called my DR. and reported to him that the new inhaler didn't work so I needed my old one and was informed they were no longer legal or available! How can this happen? Our lives depend on these life saving inhalers. My DR. tested me while I was experiencing little asthma and was able to breathe deeply. Yes, after recieving the medicine I showed improvement. But when my asthma is severe or I have a full blown attack, I am incapable of breathing deeply or holding it in my lungs as needed in order for the medicine to have effect. Also when I get a virus that goes into my chest my asthma is so severe that I am put on 80mgs of prednisone to breathe. I also use my nebulizer every 4 hours. I need my inhaler to live. Help.

I am unable to go the places I used to go. I am a travel agent and travel is my passion. Now I need to be within minutes of a hospital for emergency treatment. My asthma has become unstable. I used to be pretty active but now I fear vigorous activity that will bring on more severe asthma. My ears have begun to ring all the time interfering with sleep. I also just in the last few days experience a feeling of flash disorientation that I never had before. As time goes on I continue to experience side effects. I fear my life is and increasingly will be greatly harmed without my old inhalers. Please help.

I am not a medical professionl or pharmacist and didn't really KNOW what is in the Pro Air inhaler that we are being FORCED to use....all I can tell you is...1. they do NOT work nearly as well, therefore you use them more often, placing you at risk...and 2. I have actually counted the puffs. and there is NOT 200 puffs in them! I complained to my pharmacist at Walgreens here in Powell, TN..and she said she has had nothing but complaints about them..but that her hands are tied.

I complained to my insurance company..they said they cannot cover the old inhalers anymore..its the Pro Airs or nothing. I talked to my doctor, he said he cannot give me a script for the old ones either and he also said he has heard nothing but complaints from them either. WHEN is anyone going to listen to the PATIENTS? They don't work correctly. Period.

The economic impact was immediate..because they do NOT work well, you use them more and the puffs are NOT measured correctly..you buy more of them ..and therein is the whole bottom line..the $$$$...the manufacturers are making more on them. ONE inhaler cost over %40...my doc always writes a script for me to get two at at time...but..again...since they do not WORK right, sometimes I would have to pay for one or two out of my pocket since my ins wouldn't cover more than the 2 a month.

I have also gotten very sick to my stomach with them. I am now on a nebulizer, so not as dependent on my inhaler, but so many do depend on them. I know that many are having to use them more than the other inhalers, and I know serious damage can result from that. I am an ALPHA1/Lung patient...and I need something that is safe and will work!!

She needs to use 5 or 6 puffs, and it leaves her with visible tremors and shaking for nearly 30 minutes after using the inhaler. I have witnessed this first hand. She has even used an old expired CFC inhaler after the HFA one was not working, and gotten immediate relief from the expired inhaler! For SOME people, the HFA inhalers simply DO NOT WORK. My daughter should have the opportunity to choose what works for her, so she can breathe, so she can stay alive!

Please give us back our CFC inhalers. This is like living in Nazi Germany where no one cares if you live or die. ProAir inhalers get clogged after every few uses. The inhaler doesn't care if you are in the middle of an Asthma Attack or not.

I am a senior citizen. The recession will not matter if I cannot breathe. Money doesn't help you breathe when you are in the middle of an Attack. Please bring back the CFC inhalers. Please.

I grew up choked by second-hand smoke and developed asthma; when I was growing up, the US government did nothing to protect children from second hand smoke. I grew up using the CFC inhalers (for decades) and my asthma was well under control. I was able to lead a fairly normal life. Then, the US government crammed the HFA inhalers (ProAir) down our throats and I nearly choked to death. The Proair inhaler did NOTHING to relieve my asthma. The FDA claims: It is important to remember that it is the deep breath that gets the medication into a patient's lungs. HA! Whatever fool wrote that has never tried to take a deep breath while choking to death from an asthma attack! I should note that I am about as green as they get, making all of my life decisions based on what is good for the environment.

However, I beg our government not to choke me and millions of other people to death in a trumped-up effort to save the ozone layer. The science the government is relying on is completely bogus, and millions of us are suffering as a result. I ask the US government: PLEASE stop doing this to us. I used to be in shape, running everyday to control other health problems I have. I can no longer run, however, now that the government has done away with the medicine I needed to survive. The fact I am unable to exercise will no doubt mean that I will not have nearly as many years to spend with my baby daughter. I ask you, is this fair to her?

How many other families are being destroyed by this terrible government decision? One can only imagine the numbers are staggering. I hope other parents who read this will consider asking their Congressmen to reverse the US government's decision so that I and others can live their lives free of the terror of wondering on a daily basis if they are going to choke to death and leave behind their spouses and children.

All the produts above seem to clug up the airways instead of opening them; they cost twice as much and give less than half of the relief; they stink, they are not rescuers, we need to be rescued from them

I am appalled that the FDA infers that we aren't using the new HFA inhalers properly. Do they really think that after a lifetime of asthma I don't know how to inhale? The problem is I CAN'T!! Thanks to the HFA inhalers. HFA's do not rescue when needed most. Every time I read of someone dying from an asthma attack I have to wonder if it was because their HFA failed them. Such as this story which clearly states she was using an inhaler that had to be HFA considering the date.

I tried the HFA inhaler during an asthma attack. There was no relief whatsoever. I was so frightened that I immediately contacted my Dr. and arranged to get a nebulizer. It's not very convenient but my life is no longer in danger. I will NEVER depend on an HFA inhaler again. The FDA is ridiculous in claiming this has been to protect the ozone. The engine in a gas-powered lawn mower produces eight times the pollution that a car engine does!! There's a laundry list of medications that the FDA has recalled because they do harm or cause death. Of course these were all thoroughly tested too, right? When will the FDA be accountable for killing people?

In November of 2008, his (and my remaining, expired) CFC inhaler ran out, and we got a ProAir inhaler instead. He stopped getting better. Before he would cycle with his breathing problems, but he just never seemed to get much better this winter. Finally, after a night of so much coughing he threw up 7 times, I decided to look up information on the new inhalers. Since then, we have had to get a nebulizer and that has helped much more than the ProAir. He has not taken a puff from the ProAir inhaler in about 3 weeks, and his coughing has ceased. We need to be more concerned with the current pulmonary health of millions of people, not just with imagined, future threats to the ozone layer. This was a political, not medical move.

Son's cough ceased to subside once ProAir inhaler was started. CFC albuterol inhaler would always help him to breathe and ameliorate his cough. Now we have to use a nebulizer at home and hope for the best while he's at school, since he no longer has a rescue inhaler that works.

I truly believe the FDA has not done their homework and are putting peoples lives at risk, in the guise of saving the environment.

deeper inhalations required which is impractical with asthma attack. cost is prohibitive and lack of generic is CRIMINAL.Change a law amke a generic available!. I have been the guinea pig for 45 years since tedral and primatene mist hit the market. i use an inhaler WEEKLY and have done so for 30 years. Im more of an expert than any researcher and the ozone compromise was illegal, immoral and a travesty. I drive a hybrid so don't tell me about green. get those old trucks and trains off the road before denying asthma sufferers their rescue.

i have used the cfc inhalers all my life. now they are banned. it is completely shocking and disturbing that this is now a law considering the fact that it was millions of peoples everyday medication for years and years. im 22. ive had asthma for 10 years. the hfa inhalers DO NOT WORK. they also completely stress me out because of the possible side effects that are likely to happen. this is horrifying. please bring my inhalers back.

physical damage: not being able to breathe. stress and anxiety brought on by new medication not working and the fear of something going wrong with this terrible medicine.

I haven't had problems with my asthma since I was 10. It's been under control for the past 9 years until I started using the new inhalers. The ProAir inhalers don't relieve me of an asthma attack in the slightest. I have to use about 10 puffs, then once I can breathe, I then have to administer a nebulizer treatment. About a week after I started using the Proventil inhaler, my asthma got severely worse. I was having attacks three times a day and in the middle of the night--which interfered with my classes and work. I also had constant chest-tightness that I couldn't relieve, even with my nebulizer. I was suffering for a week until I contacted my doctor. (even my doctor said the ban on the old inhalers was [wrong])

I was referred to an Allergist, who gave me in inhaled steroid and now my asthma is under control again. I don't have to use the ProAir or Proventil anymore. Not only can I not afford the new inhalers, including the steroid. I can't keep taking the steroid, which means my asthma could get worse again once I'm taken off the steroid. I'd really like the old inhalers back since they worked every time! Even after they expire they STILL WORK! I'm 19, in college, had asthma since I was 5, and I want the old inhalers back.

The HFA albuterol inhalors don't work well and actually agrivate my asthma and cause great distress and suffering. Several times I became quite ill and had to resort to an old cfc albuterol inhalor to rescue me, the nebulizor also provided no relief. The Xoponex hfa seems to cause the least irritation, although it does not clear my lungs well and has reulted in a seroius reduction in my ability to enjoy an active lifestyle and my overall quality of life. I am very concerned about my future health, especially as I have 3 minor children still at home as well as an adult child. With the old cfc inhalors I was able to function fully and actively, enjoying sports and walking etc with my kids.

I started using the inhaler to help me clear my airways, i have oversecretion due to a neurological disease and my airways fill up with gunk easily. I get pneumonia very easily and thanks to a CFC free inhaler i had pre-conversion pneumonia in November of last year. I was forced to start using a Cough Assist, AND Albuterol Nebulizer which I could avoid both if a TRUE WORKING INHALER WERE MADE. HFA DOES NOT WORK!

I got a pre-conversion pneumonia and had to be in the house on antibiotic for 2 weeks .couldnt go out couldnt enjoy life.

I am only 35 and I have a 2 year old son and a 3 year old daughter. I live in constant fear that one of them could develop asthma and have no effective medication available for them. I don't know how the FDA or the American Lung Association can turn a blind eye and keep saying The HFA inhalers are just as effective as the CFC ones. It is absolutely disgusting and unforgivable. They are killing people, and the government is watching it happen and doesn't give a ****.

one the ports air does doesn't dilver the medication verry well and does not work as well as the old CFC propelled abutrol. not for me, my brother, sister or mother. Two the PRICE is almost 3x as much as the old CFC propelled inhalers. The increase in price had led to me unable to lead my live as normal and the PRICE of preventative medication is all so out of the ball park like Advair and singulair. I think it is shamefully to raise the PRICE on the same medication that has ben around for years just becouse the propelliant has ben changed. not that much anyway.

unable to buy the new inhalers. having more frequent Astma attacks puts stress on my heart and limits the activities I can do. I am afraid I am going to die. the nearest hospital is forty minutes away.

I was naive and thought my new environmentally safe inhaler would work if/when I needed it. My first attempt was in January of 2008. When it did not work I fell back on my old expired CFC inhaler and it saved me. I got through 2008 using both inhalers. Since January I am out of the CFC inhaler and relying only on the HFA one. Well guess what I CANT BREATHE!!! It takes some of the distress off my lungs but I can't catch my full breath. I am starting to wonder if I might have pneumonia. Go to the doctor you say? I CAN'T AFFORD IT!!!I just got shocked when I went to pick up my HFA inhaler and the cost went from $50 to $80.

I can't breathe, I can't afford it and I might have pneumonia or some other lung problem caused by that stupid HFA inhaler!!

I went to the pharmacy yesterday to pick up a prescription for my Pro-Air inhaler. I was shocked to find that has just gone up from $7.50 to $30 - $45. If I have to pay that much more, I won't have enough to pay for the prescribed physical therapy. I asked the druggist why that happened, and she just said that the pharmaceutical companies just decided that the only generic inhalers would be the old Albuterol with Sulfate. I left the Pro-Air on the counter. Guess I'll just go back to the old nebulizer.

Now, I won't have time for the physical therapy that the doctor recommends. I just may resort to that. It seems that the government stuck their hand in it. Instead of being a CFC (that worked) they are now all HFAs to prevent further damage to the ozone layer. It goes straight into my lungs, so how is it going to affect the ozone layer? The change to HFA has made it ineffective for the most part. That is it doesnt give me the rescue relief? that I need.

Initially, it takes hours before it starts giving me what I need, and then it only gives me a head rush and a cough. Its been the only inhaler I could get, aside from the nebulizer, so I am forced to take it or not. I went to a site that listed consumer complaints about what's been afoot with this change to HFA. PAY ATTENTION: It doesn't work. This site is full of consumer complaints about this. It looks nothing short of another money making scam. I am 61 years old and must have my medication such that it is. The coupons offered are not valid for medicare, medicade or federal or state programs.

The products that our governments have messed with are now ineffective. They are no longer Rescue Inhalers. They just don't work as well, and now they are trying to bilk medicare and medicaid recipients out of more money. The coupon offered online doesn't apply to those people.

I have COPD and depend on my rescue inhaler to lead a less than normal life. The old inhalers worked very well when having an attack after walking a short distance or climbing stairs. I am now caused to remain at home and become fearfull of engaging in any physical activity which will cause a breathing attack. Government agents/agencies should be made to know first hand what it's like to be unable to breath,then reach for medication that has no effect...these decisions are hazardous to our health and quality of life. People should not be made to drop like flies before something gets done to correct such a gross negligence caused by such buerucrats.

medication does not work (proAir), the price is not justified for the lack of relief it provides ($43.00) I am in fear of dying at any given moment, if I take out the rubbish, take a shower, or walk from my car to a grocery store, and have no choice but to stay indoors, now that the only inhaler that worked has been discontinued.

I am writing to you about the Pro Air inhaler for asthmatics. The rescue inhaler does not work - it is time to bring back CFC inhalers. Upon using it, not only did my breathing problems get worse but it brought on chest pains.

Due to the urgent needs the inhaler is being used for (to help a human breathe), it has caused 100's of dollars and could potentially be life threatening. I am currently in an emergency medrol dose pack due to the reaction (and lack of) from Pro Air. You must bring back the old inhalers - this will cost lives.

I hate this new inhaler Pro Air! Each time I use it I have a severe coughing experience. It causes me to choke and therefore doesn't do the asthma attack good at all! We need the Proventil back!!

The ProAir Inhaler does not work and is dangerous! For many years I have had to use an inhaler to help with my breathing. I used the Armstrong CFC, with no problems or side effects. The price of 18.00 a month was reasonable. It lasted a month and as it started running low, you could tell by the shorter bursts.

Since I live on a fixed income, in a very remote area in the TN mountains, with no access to emergency hospitals close by, I relied on my inhaler as a life line. My life line is gone!

Now, I'm forced to use this ProAir???

The price is 43.00, it lasts maybe two weeks, if I'm lucky. There is no warning when it's running low like there was with the CFC, it just stops! And it doesn't work. I can't afford the price for one, let alone a back up, should I run out before I can get down off the mountain to buy a new one. Not only that but now, I have chronic stomach problems, headachs and have noticed hair loss, since using the ProAir.

My quality of life has gone down the drain.

I don't have a choice, my doctor doesn't have a choice. Our choice was taken away by some tree hugger? I love and want to protect our environment, but not at the risk of endangering human lives, this is insane! Why do they have more rights than we do? Don't we have the right to breath? We have a choice as far as other green products on the market, but not on something as vital as this?

To add insult to injury, this thing isn't even an American product. It's made in Ireland by a Canadan Company. Wasn't there a big scare a few years back about people getting meds from foreign countries because they weren't safe and were poor quality?

I am truly worried, as so many others, that I am going to die because of the switch to the new HFA inhalers.

Since starting the new HFA a few months ago, my heart hurts, my lungs burn, I simply can not breath anymore, I am gaining weight because I can not excersise anymore, and I am spending more money the ever on my meds that now make me sick. I also can no longer take the steroid inhaler I need to cause my lungs are not strong enough to inhale the Advair powder. I am positive that this switch to HFA will kill someone.

I have had asthma since i was 8 and have been using generic CFC inhalers for many yrs and have only been to the hospital when i was out also i can not use advair and things like that they cause me to have broncitis so my only relief is the CFC inhalers now the FDA has changed that to HFA (porair,proventil,ect) they DO NOT WORK at all and when my CFC inhaler runs out i fear that i will die I am only 37yrs old I don't want to die someone needs to do something

PLEASE bring back the CFC they are plenty of things still available on the market that hurt the ozone alot more but no one seems to be worried about them I have heard that some people have already died from this from what I have read thousands proable millions or more people are very scaried because these new inhalers don't work i guess if nothing is changed there will be a bigger mess for the economy because people with asthma,copd,chronic broncitics, ect will not be able to get out of bed or there house for fear of not breathing so no one will be going to work why don't you ask pres.

I am 57 years old and have copd. My first experience with the new HFA propellent was with Flovent (a steroid inhaler) a few years ago. It immediately made my scalp fell like I had bugs running thru it, progressing to an intense burning sensation like an iron was placed on my head within the next 24 hours.. Within 3 days my hair started to snap off at the roots, so many at a time you could actually hear it if you ran your fingers thru your hair. As soon as I stopped the drug the symptoms subsided. Also my lungs felt scortched and I couldn't get a deep breath. Again, in 2006 I used an HFA inhaler for Albuterol as my pharmacy was phasing out their supplier with CFC without realizing the propellant was the same as the flovent inhaler I had used before. The exact symptoms happened immmediately!! I experienced this a third time, in my pulmonologists office while being administered breathing tests and the test administrator gives you something to open your lungs in the 2nd round of breathing exercises and the sensation on my scalp occured immediately!!

Thank Heavens, Armstrong Pharmaceuticals keep the CFC inhalers in manufacture til the end of 2008 and I was able to stock up and I also purchased some from India before the deadline. I have about a years worth stocked up but after that will have to quit doing much of anything outside of the home where I can still use my nebulizer and aerosol treatments. You never know when you'll need your inhaler when you leave home, a flight of stairs, that walk in the parking lot, a change in temperature and suddenly your lungs seize up, the panic floods your brain, you start to suffocate, and pee your pants as your life's end races thru your mind. Extremely terrifying! I wonder if they will prosecute & imprison us if we seek to violate the law and get what we need from other countries? The rest of the world really doesn't matter if you can't breathe!! Also if you read the side effects of HFA propellant - Hair loss is amongest them!

Banning of CFC rescue inhalers to ineffective HFA inhalers.

I feel as though I am now living in the Twilight Zone. I developed asthma while serving my country in the U.S. Army and given so much paperwork and excuses by the VA not to help me afterwards for medical help (expenses), I gave up. I realize something very important now. I was willing to lay down my life defending freedom and the American way of life for the freedom to make decisions to prevent me from breathing! The entire premise of an inhaler is to be able to get your airways open to breathe again and why they are named RESCUE inhalers. Clue here people.

I WAS living an extremely active life on my 5 acres and while continuing to serve my country as a civil servant previously before the banning of the CFC inhalers thanks to my alupent medicine propelled into my lungs properly and ability to breathe because of it. My life has changed drastically and my weight has skyrocketed not helping my diabetes. I have NOW had a wound for 8 months that will not heal. While the CFC inhalers pushed the medicine in for you, the new HFA inhalers rely on one's ability to have the amount of breathe to be able to do so. DAH! What part of already not being able to breathe and having enough breath to do the work to get the new HFA inhaler medicine in has everybody missed here?

I recently had an $11,000.00 bill from the local hospital, and owed a large part after insurance because NONE of their ER docs or x-ray labs cover BCBS and would have been only $125.00 had they admitted me instead of keeping me in their ER observation for 23 hours (evidently I was that close to death). I would like to invite those that made this decision to cram my bill down their throat, toss themselves one of their HFA inhalers and to go try and breathe now and see if you can suck in any medicine on your own. I find my tolerance for morons to grow short when I can't breathe and have serious life threatening wounds that don't heal and face possible daily infections that may lead to an amputation. Count me in for any class action lawsuit. I need what's left of my life back!

Since i used the new inhaler to treat my mild asthma i developed chest pain, which went away when i discontinued using the new inhaler. I underwent a cardiac stress test as this chest pain was so severe. I cannot and will not endanger my health by using this product, luckily my allergic asthma is mild and controlled by advair. The old inhalers need to be brought back before somebody dies.

The Pro Air inhaler stops administering the medication.

I agree full-heartedly with the other users, this new inhaler really blows! I was fortunate to get the old inhalers at Costco for a while. I, like many others, don't have insurance and the additional funds are killing me...and could literally if I can't pay for my medication. Of course I'm not on anything else because those inhalers are hundreds of dollars. (The same inhalers cost a dollar in Cuba) My biggest fear, and I am looking legally into this, is when I'm going for the new Pro Air when I'm in an urgent need to use it and it doesn't work at all. All inhalers develop some buildup around the release.

The older inhalers you could clean with hot water and a Q-tip. I spend more on a faulty inhaler that even after I've tried cleaning several times still will not execute the medication. This new design will be the end of someone and of course it won't be until then that something is done. I have to take a half-full canister of Pro Air and find another used dispenser that will allow the medication to evacuate. This is a major fault in design and someone needs to make urgent adjustments.

I'm tired of paying for something that is supposed to help me live but causes my life to be worse than it was before this new Pro Air. I don't expect any million dollar CEO the hear any of use through the sound of the money he's reaping from our demise, but just maybe someone will swoop in and save us.

I was diagnosed with Astha at age 66. I have never smoked. They tell me I can not get the generic Albuterol Inhaler because of the ban of the CFC containing salbutamol. I would have had to pay $7.00 for it. They are charging me $39.00 for what is said Generic on the box which is ProAir HFA. My Dr. prescribed 17GM Albuterol and I receive 8.5 GM 90 MG inhailer and it lasts me maybe 10 -12 days as prescribed using it 4 times a day 2 puffs each time.

How can a person afford $120 a month while on Social Security and Medicare and I have a back up insurince and it still costs $39.00. Where is there justice. Millions of americans have asthma. Where is there help for us low to middle class americans who need to breath and without it we will die. I am outraged. The pharmacy will not give more than one of the 8.5 GM per perscription even though my dr. wants me to have 17 GM.

Something is wrong and regardless of it being banned something has to be done so people do not die because they can't afford it and have to go without it. I have read and read on the internet of millions of others going through the same thing with their young children and themselves are afraid of not being able to afford a $40-$50 inhaler.

I am sick daily because I cannot take myp prescribed dose. I am afraid to do anything and I am a very active man and because of this I have to stop being active in fear of the consequeses. Which in turn will make me more unhealthy which will lead to obesity and or death in my opinion. I am sure there are other complaints and I really hope someone is on top of this and trying to see why these companies are selling products that are listed as genereic on the box and are paying tier 2 prices. That is wrong.

The FDA doesn't realize how much this affects quality of life. The negligilbe amount enhalers might affect the environment shouldn't outweigh health benefits to copd sufferers. With environmentalists it's usually all or nothing, but where this directly affects peoples lives, a little bit of common sense should be applied.

When at one time I thought my asthma was getting better, now I'm nervous about an attack that might be caused due to allergies or excercise. I'm hoping this won't translate to more trips to the ER.

I have had asthma for ten years. It has always been well controlled until I was given Pro air inhaler at the pharmacy. My asthma symptoms gradually became worse. I have been to the doctor 4 times. I am currently taking prednisone, Ventolin and Advair for relief. I complained to the pharmacist and was told that this was the ony medicine available and that it is the same medicine as it has always been. This is not true and my physcian confirmed this.

I have lost time off of work . I am a marriage and family therapist. My clients have been subjected to my constant coughing and wheezing, especially a child client who saw me have a serious asthma attack. Someone needs to recognize what is going on with this medicine. THe co-payments for other medicines are very expensive. I will be contacting my insurance company about this medicine and the issues involved with it. Please look at this issue.

HFA Inhalers do not work

Heres the deal I had to go to the hospital because I have to use this ProAir that does not work like the real inhalers tell proair to go and bring back the cfc ones

I don't like this new inhealer I have to use because it is all I can get. Do you know it has ethanol in it.

How many complaints is it going to take to bring back the CFC inhalers? The HFA inhalers are ridiculous - they cost more and they DO NOT WORK despite their claims.

My asthma was completely under control with the Albuterol inhalers, now I can only get the HFA versions and I have no relief from my asthma symptoms at all. I've paid more money for an ineffective product that has let me miserable since the switch.

I had been taking Albuterol for years and it always worked well. I was switched to PROAIR HFC the beginning of January 2009. I followed the directions exactly, shaking it extra well, cleaning, etc. My lungs congested to the point that I could barely breathe. I ended up in the hospital on January 22. The hospital put me back on Albuterol because they still have a supply of it and my lungs cleared up. What am I going to do when the Albuterol they gave me is gone?

The HFA inhalers do not work. (And, they make me nauseous.) This didn't happen with the CFC inhalers. I understand about global warming and the ozone, but if it helps people breathe, how can it be allowed to be illegal?

I was diagnosed with Chronic Bronchitis in August 2008. I was given an Armstrong CFC Inhaler which damn near saved my life. Ever seen I began using my Proair HFA inhaler I have been coping with side effect after side effect. When I needed to use my Proair inhaler it did not work, it was completely empty after just two doses.

My belief is that the HFA Proair inhaler is ineffective and could potentially be the cause of death in an asthmatic, COPD or someone with chronic Bronchitis or other ailment.

I am a young grandmother who enjoys running around with my grand babies but I can't most times for fear of an attack since I cannot rely on my inhaler. I can't leave my life in the hands of the money hungry EPA. The thought that this product works is ludicrous.

I pray that some thing will be done.

I have been managing my asthma sucsessfully for years with CFC Albuterol inhalers. I had tried pro-air and other HFA inhalers in the past and found that they simply did not work as well. They are not a substitute for CFC inhalers. More so-- I cannot believe that the government allowed a stop date for CFC inhalers with no generic alternatives on the market. With my insurance I used to pay $10 for my generic CFC-albuterol. Yesterday I had to pay $35 for the brand name HFA inhaler. A 300% mark up is simply unacceptable for any product or drug-- especially a fast acting, life-saving inhaler. Why are millions of Americans being forced to pay 3x more for an inferior product?

HFA INHALER- pro-air and xopenex do work work as a substitue for the old armstrong albuterol inhaler. I have been unable to do any housework, let alone do much of anything else for the past week. Today I could harldy breathe at all and my neighbor brought me over some of his old cfc albuterol, two puffs and I was like my old self again. It is a crime that the FDA let this happen to asthmatics and people with copd. The drug companies are making piles of money on inhalers that don't work. Get all the spray cans of oven cleaners, pam, spray starch, wd40 off the market and put the old inhalers back on, you will save lives.

I am becoming a prisoner in my own house, unable to do much of anything without my albuterol inhaler.

I was using albuteral inhalers quite frequently, due to having COPD and chronic Bronchitis. When it was changed to the Pro Air, I was majorly disappointed due to the fact that the PROAIR does not seem to act as fast or do as good as the actual albuteral. Also, a very good friend just died and the autopsy report stated that she had a massive heart attack due to the inhaler. so be careful with it.. I am afraid now to even use mine.

The congress banned a substance that worked, The albuterol hfa inhaler doesn't work as well. I'm scared I may die of an asthma attack. I had one albuterol cfa and immediately asthma symptoms went away. Why are they playing politics with our lives.

Emotional, physical stress, knowing there is no help for my asthma.

HFA inhalers do not work. Hello. Is anyone listening. My daughter who is a terrible asthmatic had to go back to the nebulizer after the HFA inhaler did not work. I know about cleaning and priming. This new expensive environmentally friendly inhaler risk the lives of countless people. I feel helpless. Did the FDA test these? How?

Death. When someone is not getting the dose and is not near a hospital they can die. All the increased ER visits and 911 calls. I am a public health nurse in the schools and believe me they are not working!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been prescribed an albutrol inhaler to control a respiratory condition and for years have been using either Warrick or Armstrong inhalers. Now, without consent on my part I suddenly get a substitution with the ProAir inhaler at nearly double the cost. The Pharmacist tells me that the other inhalers are no longer available...this is of major concern as the substitution is substandard to the original...

I am a retiree with a limited fixed income and because of my respiratory problems cannot get affordable healthcare. Nor am I eligible for Medicare...this means that any prescription or medical care I receive must be paid out of pocket. The unasked for switch from one inhaler to another markedly increases my prescription drug costs. But, even more of a concern is the simple fact that the ProAir inhaler DOES NOT WORK!!and is compromising my status.

I went to the local pharmacy in the spring of 2008 to fill my daughter's prescription for her cfc albuterol. I was told the CFC inhalers were being phased out as of 12/31/2008 and she needed to "transition" to a new HFA inhaler. I was given a Pro-Air HFA inhaler to give to her. Since my daughter has many medication allergies, I did some research and found that the Pro-Air has ethanol in it. I asked my daughter's allergist for a sample of the Ventolin HFA as I had read there is no ethanol in that product and if she needed a rescue inhaler, perhaps that is the one she should be on. Her allergist gave us a sample.

I am a servere asthmatic and am on disability. I have been using albuterol inhalers for YEARS now that have worked effectively. Now I am being told they are no longer available due to the FDA's or the environmental group's decision to stop mking them.

The Po Air inhalers DO NOT WORK. I am straining my heart more, doing more puffs than I should be, and feel my asthma is now Worse than ever. Also, I have no insurance and the old ones cost 18.99 and these run 44.00 for GENERIC! where is the justice for people like me?

I have been a almost problem free asthmatic for alot of years. I know my symptoms, how to control them, what makes them come on.... Taking away our rescue inhalers as we know it is a nightmare....what used to be 2 puffs occasionally is 10 in a row couple of times in a row. It makes my wheezing worse! Eventually, i take a nebulizer...Now, what is interesting is that i am a nurse manager at a hospital and hearing the same darned comments from our respiratory patients!

so, for a miniscule amount of CFC, they are driving up healthcare costs all the way around! I cannot believe that the government is being allowed to make us SICKER!!! Is there not anyone there with a lick of sense??

economically, the new inhalers are much more expensive, and a nightmare because you use them and use them and use them and they just dont help, and more often than not, make you worse! also, am having to resort to using oral steroids-...so, my quality of life has decreased. spending more money on prescriptions-both these darned inhalers that dont work, AND nebulizers, AND oral steroids, AND cough meds, antibiotics, etc, when this turns into a bronchitis...AND watching my patients go through the same thing!

The ban on albuterol inhalers is awful... i had managable asthma before a few months ago... and now... i was in the hospital twice... please.... please work with everyone to have them reconsider... i don't think my little asthma inhaler harms the environment...

I am so afriad.... so very afriad.... the new inahlers don't work... not at all.. i ever have my own nebulizer... which helps to a degree... but... its hard to go out... to work.. because i am afraid of an attack... i have been admitted to the hospital twice... the new inahlers are also very costly.. its hard to afford what i need to survive from month to month of the new stuff... even if it doesn't work...

HFA ProAir Inhaler- 3 times the price, 1/2 the size and works 1/4 amount compared to Albuterol. They take away Albuterol because it is bad for the ozone/environment...well, its going into OUR lungs- so how much is it hurting anything? What about all the people that NEED it? Albuterol WORKS and saves lives!! We want it back!

The Warrick Albuterol Inhalers were switched to the ProAir inhalers to prevent CFC's in the air at the beginning of 2009. I am still trying to figure out how puffing it into my lungs puts it in the air.

Well, I was worried about the cost going from $10 to $30 for the copay and now I am more worried that it doesn't work. I can not breath. I have been using it every 2 hours instead of the prescribed 4 to 6 hours. I will be out way before the time to get another one and I do not beleive there is 200 metered inhalations per unit. Who can we complain to for it to make a difference? I am very worried about my health. It is nice to know I am not alone.

The new inhalers barely work. I find that the medicine does not get into my lungs. I have to use it way more. Thanks goodness I had a small stockpile of older inhalers but now am down to only half of one and beginning to worry. With the old inhalers one puff and you were good to go. My doctor knows this and my pharmacist. My doctor told me to look around, even in Canada and Mexico. He told me my only other option at this point was a nebulizer. Talk about inconvenient.

My pharmacist was really angry about this (blames the government) and said 3 people had come in that week and left without an inhaler because the only ones he has are the newer ones. EVERYONE is in agreement. They don't work! I would like to tell the manufacturers of this medicine to take a straw and breath through it for 15 minutes (if they can do it that long) and then have them tell me it is OK. When you can't breath it is terrifying. All that person has to do is remove the straw. We on the other hand need our old inhalers.

It is terrifying to reach for something that does not open the airway. I wrote Al Gore last night. Not sure if he really cares but figured it was worth a try. I believe in being environmentally responsible but not at the risk of a million people dying.

january 2009 when i started using ProAir as the substitute for my old armstrong albuterol inhaler. the same time, i started to feel different (nausea & chest pains). not blaming my new inhaler, i went on leave (from my work) & consulted my doctor on what i feel. he did an EKG, made a comprehensive blood test & a chest x-ray that all yielded negative results. he told me to rest. after 3 days of rest, still, there was no improvement on my condition.

the following day, i mis-placed my ProAir inhaler & can't find it. i have no choice but to use my old armstrong inhaler because it's not yet time for a refill. my chest pains & nausea were gone after 1 wholeday of NOT using the proair. what will i do when my armstrong inhaler ran out of actuation. i'm just wondering if the FDA personnels who approved the transition of CFC to HFA drived albuterol inhalers are asthmatics too.

Ventolin HFA- This is junk. I need this to excercise. I used it and it helps a little but not like my old Warrick inhaler, which is much better. I can't belive this has been put on the market. We need to do something to get the others back on the market, I deserve options of what meds work best for me as long as it is not harmful to users. Plus it cost $35 with my insurance. If we are going to go green lets not start with life saving medication.

more exprensive, does not work as well.

I was prescribed this pro air and I have not used it yet because I could not afford it. I have many illness and need other medication. I hate the fact that they changed my inhaler. I almost died 12 year with asthma a long standing patient. something has to be done about the cost. Many will die from asthma just because someone thought more of a tree or bird then human beings.

I am not happy about this change. I am mad! But on the other hand if died at last I'll go to heaven and be with God forever and I will have no need of any spary anymore.
too high of cost even with insurance!

I am in the same boat as everyone else that posted on this site and I'm scared, the HFA inhalers do not work. I emailed the FDA to complain and they sent me the response email. Possibly if all of us would fill out the form they might do something to help us. We need to take further action where it counts. Write to the FDA and also your State & Congressional representatives.

..."Reports submitted to MedWatch are added to a post marketing safety database and reviewed by the FDA's post marketing safety staff. One or two well-documented case reports may provide an early signal of unexpected safety issues and lead to additional evaluation. This may result in FDA regulatory actions that improve the safety of the products used in patient care each day. We carefully evaluate and analyze all reports that were available to us and make recommendations for possible actions if the science based risk evaluation warrants the actions. If the report contributed to the action, the labeling change and/or public advisory will reflect the action....The national transition from CFC propelled to HFA propelled albuterol inhalers is due to an international environmental treaty called the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Therefore, we also encourage you to notify your Congressional Representatives. Best regards, kw Division of Drug Information Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Food and Drug Administration"

This inhaler is horrible. It doesn't work well, it clogs up and the medicine doesn't work. I went from using my old inhaler once or twice a day to constantly and getting no relief. Please help to get this recalled and get a good inhaler back on the market. The government took the good inhalers off the market and put this horrible one that doesn't work.

I am always stuggling with my air and the cost is triple to what the old inhalers were.

The new inhalers suck. Period. I am ready to file a class action lawsuit against them who took this off the market.

I do not think the proair inhaler work as well as the old inhaler. It do not give me quick release and I find that I have to use it more often during the day. There are also many patients at my job that have the same complaint and I think the problem should be fix.

albuterol banned. using an hfa. guess i will now die soon! inaffective! does not work. albuterol did

ProAir HFA albuteral inhalers don't work! I told my Dr. and he thinks its all in my mind. The 200 metered inhalations is a joke. I've only got about 70 from one and 46 to be exact on the other because I marked each time I took it. It felt half empty when I picked it up. Now the Dr. won't give me any more because it suppose to last at least 2 1/2 months. It also doesn't last very long to relieve symtoms. I have never in 30 years had so much problems with an inhaler. I'm nursing my Armstrong CPC one that I got 8 months ago which is almost gone. Something needs to be done about this. People need to breath. In the long run this is going to cost the government, hospitals, consumers alot more than giving us a produce that works like the old one's did. That is if we don't die first. What's wrong with FDA? Pharmaceuticals have to much power.

I was switched to HFA inhalers (proventil, ventolin), and I am not getting any relief from my asthma. They don't work at all. They just make me sicker, nervous and I know I will ended up in the ER with an asthma attack.

I'm late to find out that the old Albuterol USP is discontinued. I have been lucky for a bit with my asthma and have not needed it for a while. My luck ended last month and now I am in need of an inhaler daily. I was given Proventil HFA at my doctor and it is total crap. My mom gave me one of her inhalers, ProAir HFA and it is just as bad. I use these new HFA and have no relief at all. One puff of the old USP and I could breathe fine, 5 puffs of the HFA and I am still wheezing and struggling for breath.

I was switched over to an HFA based inhaler without my consent or knowledge. I took the medication and almost ended up in the ER. I had an old CFC inhaler that saved me - thank God. If I didn't have it, I don't know what would have happened.

Since taking the ProAir HFA inhalers, I have been requiring far more medication to relieve asthma attacks. All too often, instead of relief, the attack worsens and I experience a full-blown asthma episode that requires treatment with the nebulizer. I am missing work almost regularly, and have become more limited in my activity. I cannot trust this inhaler to work in an emergency. I find myself taking more over the counter drugs (benadryl) to supplement this worthless inhaler.

The new inhalers do not deliver the 200 doses of albuterol which they claim to deliver, and this is fraud. We need to come up with a class action lawsuit. People with asthma are being put at real risk because the drug companies want to sell Advair and want to get away from generic albuterol because it doesn't make them enough of a profit.

Inability to breathe, serious consequences for quality of life, increased cost for a medication that does not work as well.

Horrible results from inhaler and at twice the price. This is devastating to my family of 4 asthmatics.

We are going broke on just the co-payment

These new inhalers do not work. If they are worried about teh ozone they could start in any number of places but instead they go after what brings great relief to asthmatics. I have had to go to a breathing machine to get my treatments because the HFA inhalers do not work well or last for any length of time.

The cost went from $10.00 per inhaler to 35.00. I do not have insurance and this is alot considering this is not my only medication. Advair charges 150.00 for 15 days worth of a steroid inhaler. Not only do they hit us at our lungs they aim at our pocketbooks too.

ProAir HFA inhaler was used to try to manage my asthma on January 1,2009.Since I could not get nor did I have any of the older inhalers left I had to rely solely on this one to try and thwart an all out, full blown episode. It didn't happen. I am lucky that it happened at home where I had access to my nebulizer

Because I had a nebulizer at home, a doctor on the phone who prescribed prednisone , and an azmacort inhaler

I finally came out the otherside of this. I used the ProAir in good faith and it did not deliver.With all of the other poisons in the world and land stripping and so on,why not chase those people down and stop them instead of taking a product off the market that asthmatics could depend on.

AlbuteralCPC we need back. Maybe the new administration can do something about this. I sure do hope so.

Have copd and used albuterol for most of my life. Works. Now it has been done away with the ProAir HFA does not work. Makes me sick and I had to go backon prednisone because I could not breathe. I hope Albuterol will be put back on the market to help people like me who need it to breathe.

Also ProAir HFA is much more expensive and I cannot afford it. live on Social Security and my insurance does not cover it. No generic -please find one

Pharmacy switch Albuterol Oral Inhalation device from CFC driven to HFA driven. Three problems I can see. 1.The price was raised as a new formulation.(minor rip off) 2. The new devices go flat, after thirty day they were all dead with little use.(Major hazzard) 3. The new propelent is not as effective. (Poor Medicine) In my case I need this very seldom but when I did I had a flat inhaler. Never had this problem with the CFC version over past twenty years. Bough a second and third inhaler with same result. The CFC version left over still works ! As for me I purchased a nebulizer and have given up on these convient items.

In my case it is just a matter of time befor this forces me into the ER.

Pro-Air HFA inhalers are not doing the job they are intended for. Asthma. Helping people to breathe! Warrick/Armstrong inhalers were working fine. This is a money scam and the EPA be damned! This is A CRIME-- and if I never live for my last breath over this alternative--there will indeed be others in line for the lawsuit! What a travesty it truly is when the EPA or whoever is behind it (where is the AMA in all this---seriously??) is more concerned with lining their pockets than with people having the ability to breathe during a possibly fatal asthma attack. I dont care what they say --it is less product than the original and less effective and yet more money??? What I NEED to put into my lungs to breathe--- is effecting some unknown ozone layer at some unknon date?? Really? It also clogs. !! Just what you need in a rescue inhaler! C'mon people --wake up!!

35.00 with insurance for ProAir compared to 10.00 with insurance on regualr Albuterol Warrick -Armstrong CFC's.