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ProAir HFA Inhalers Reviews

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About ProAir HFA Inhalers

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ProAir HFA Inhalers provides respiratory relief of bronchospasm and wheezing through metered-dose inhalers. Developed for asthma and COPD management, ProAir HFA includes features like dose counters and breath-actuated delivery systems. These inhalers offer portable solutions for respiratory conditions.

Visit www.proairint.tevapharm.com
Pros
  • Quick relief during attacks
  • Easy to use and carry
Cons
  • Ineffective for some users
  • Frequent clogging issues

ProAir HFA Inhalers Reviews

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    Page 4 Reviews 265 - 465

    Reviewed June 23, 2009

    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 I needed to buy a prescription recently because of the fact that I could not find Primatene Mist anywhere 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 approximately 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.

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    Reviewed June 22, 2009

    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.

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    Reviewed June 20, 2009

    ProAir inhaler does not work like the albuteral. The FDA thinks it is environmentally friendly but in the end, it will cost the lives of many people. It is so scary not to get the relief and wondering if the next attack will kill you. Think of the people that haven’t 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.

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    Reviewed June 19, 2009

    I have been using ProAir ever since Albuterol was discontinued due to the ozone issues. I get a prescription for ProAir 200 metered inhalations. I have been going through 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 cannot afford $47.00 every 2 weeks, not to mention my doctor will not give me refills.

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    Reviewed June 18, 2009

    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 that 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!

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    Reviewed June 17, 2009

    I, like the others here, found this product does not work as well to relieve my asthma symptoms. In addition, I am finding that the canisters do not hold the stated 200 metered inhalations. They are smaller but the claim is that since they don't have the propellants in use before, you will still get the 200 puffs out of it. I have gotten several canisters that noticeably contain differing amounts from each other when I shake them. There are those who may not feel this is a reliable way to measure, so I started tallying up each and every puff I took on the inhalers and marking it on the inside of the box. I kept them in the box just in case the canister was being depressed in my purse or brief case. One box never left my bathroom counter. I have done this on two inhalers so far and at this point have only gotten 60-70 puffs out of each before it is completely empty.

    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. You have to pay a lot more for three reasons. The product is more expensive. It doesn't work as well necessitating the use of more product, and the canisters do not contain the listed number of puffs. People die of asthma. I have heard of three deaths locally in the last six months alone. We do not need these added problems.

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    Reviewed June 11, 2009

    Like the other comments I just read on your website, these new HFA inhalers 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 relief. Bring back the old style. No relief for my asthma, whoever came up with these rules that now only allow the HFA ought to try living in my shoes. They don't work.

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    Reviewed June 10, 2009

    CFCs removed from rescue inhalers and 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 as 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 that it is now time for the government to assist me so that I may have a place to live while I struggle to breathe everyday. My personal Social Security report says that I can get up to $3,000 on full disability and I believe that 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. One 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 that 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 have 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. I also need to take several breaks throughout the day.

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    Reviewed June 8, 2009

    The government has, within the last 18 months, mandated the use of CFC free metered dose inhalers for people with lung diseases. I have COPD and asthma brought on by a genetic defect called Alpha1-Antitrypsin Deficiency. Since the advent of the HFA inhalers, I am not getting as good of results as with the CFC inhalers. More pronounced shortness of breath after using the medication which is supposed to help. I have been using this sort of medication for a very long time and know the consequences and symptoms of an accidental overdose (or under dose). What is happening is if I am having a severe event, such as is caused by polluted air, the medicine is of almost no benefit.

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    Reviewed June 8, 2009

    I am very disappointed in Pro-air. This medication is a rescue inhaler. It doesn't work; It caused me to have a severe asthma attack. It's supposed to rescue me from having an attack, but it didn't.

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    Reviewed June 7, 2009

    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 their self up in bed at night to breath, to get some sleep as I have to.

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    Reviewed May 28, 2009

    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! I am SO TIRED of not being able to breathe! I've now had to resort to using my nebulizer on a daily basis! Something that I ONLY used to use 1 or 2 times per YEAR! I've been hospitalized 3 TIMES since the introduction of this horrible excuse for a rescue inhaler! Bring back the CFC inhaler!
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    Reviewed May 27, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed May 27, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed May 21, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed May 21, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed May 16, 2009

    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!!
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    Reviewed May 16, 2009

    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!!!!
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    Reviewed May 16, 2009

    Pro Air (HFA)
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    Reviewed May 16, 2009

    PRESCRIBED PROVENTIL HFA INHALER AND THE PRODUCT IS USELESS. NEVER WORKED TO HELP RELIEVE MY SYMPTOMS; NASTY TASTING
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    Reviewed May 16, 2009

    THE VENTOLIN HFA INHALER; 90MCG IS VERY INEFFECTIVE. PRODUCT DOESN'T WORK TO HELP CONTROL MY ASTHMA. RESCUE INHALER....NO!
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    Reviewed May 15, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed May 15, 2009

    The product does 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.
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    Reviewed May 14, 2009

    I am an asthmatic in Lubbock, Texas and 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. I am all for getting rid of my gas guzzling car and replacing it with electric. 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.
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    Reviewed May 13, 2009

    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!!!
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    Reviewed May 11, 2009

    My husband has asthma. He now uses the Proventil HFA because cfcs have been banned. He continues to struggle with this really bad product. It does not deliver the very much needed relief when he has an asthmatic episode. The delivery is too weak and the delivery chamber clogs constantly. I have spoken to both pharmacists and the people at Schering-Plough. Both recommend cleaning the system at least once a week. However, when you need relief, there is no time to clean this joke of a rescue inhaler. 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.
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    Reviewed May 7, 2009

    Pharmacist told me my albuterol inhaler was replaced by this ProAir HFA inhaler.
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    Reviewed May 4, 2009

    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 enviro freaks who say CFC’s 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 cannot 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 manufacturer and distributor but also against the enviro-** who have foisted this deadly dangerous piece of crap upon those of us who need relief from asthma or similar lung disease.

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    Reviewed May 4, 2009

    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 pleae help use i am doing a news interview on ADC wlos ashville N.C.it is on the five o-clock est thank you kelly
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    Reviewed May 3, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed May 3, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed April 30, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed April 30, 2009

    This product (ProAir HFA) is useless. Please bring back Albuteral!!
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    Reviewed April 27, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed April 27, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed April 25, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed April 24, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed April 24, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed April 24, 2009

    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?? Land of the free I dont think so. We as a people have not screwed up America, the government did and now they want us the people to back them up and bail them out of the mess they made!!! People use your heads!!! Wake up and look whats really happening!! Trans fat bans, emission control, war on drugs, cannot bare arms, cant chose a damn inhaler ect. this angers me SO incredible much. Someone needs to speak up,if it has to me than so be it!! Someone needs to do something!! Somethings got to change!!! Obama remember what you said, your miracles you promised... no big surprise there. And I am in no way a Racist, Im Puerto Rican and more than half my family is dark skinned. 3:44am now, a little relief. How screwed up! I have had better relief from a cigar than this inhaler and I kid you not! sorry...had to be said by someone. thanks.
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    Reviewed April 22, 2009

    I have asthma 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 worse very quickly. I thought I was going to die. If I didn't have a nebulizer at 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 no relief when I feel it. I know how to read a pamphlet and work my inhalers. This inhaler was brand new, primed and supposedly ready for action. I had to take it twice as much to get enough relief in order to get on the nebulizer. I was scared. I called my doctor's office the following Monday and explained what happened only to be told it's the same medication as the old CFC inhalers. The ** it is. All of my old CFC inhalers worked. This piece of crap they issued is not.

    To make matters worse, my insurance told the doctor 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 eyes open? I am keeping records of everything 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 doctors to the manufacturers will be sued. That is my last wish as of today.

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    Reviewed April 19, 2009

    I had a choke up and when using fast-acting HFA, I turned blue and became worse. It took about two hours to get back to how it was before taking the second puff on the fast action HFA. I waited about an hour and tried it again. Same choke up and I turned blue. I called the doctor and he said not to take anything. I just have to stay on Advair.

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    Reviewed April 18, 2009

    I am 51-year-old female with Multiple Sclerosis. When I catch a cold, I suffer with asthma. In October, I got my prescription renewed and received 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 on 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 X-rayed her lungs and discovered they were severely inflamed 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 dependency. I explained to them that Lucy was not a person but a cat. She does not know the difference between a CFC inhaler and an HFA inhaler. The environmentally friendly ones do not work for her.

    What will I do if I need one? They 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. 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.

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    Reviewed April 16, 2009

    Since I switched 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 down the stairs to my vehicle and I feel like I'm going to pass out. I use the HFA inhaler and I have to sit still just trying to get enough air into my lungs. The old CFC inhalers cost approximately $20 for 200 metered inhalations. With the HFA, the price has more than doubled. Walmart sells Ventolin for $9, but it has only 60 metered inhalations. I've gone through 3 inhalers in 2 weeks, whereas with CFC inhalers, it would last a month to 1.5 months.

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    Reviewed April 15, 2009

    I just want to emphasize how awful these new inhalers are, how betrayed I feel that the FDA has received so many complaints and continues to believe 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 had 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, let's 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 deodorants. 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!

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    Reviewed April 15, 2009

    This is not a rescue inhaler. I have had asthma for 32 years; have always maintained control through health and occasional 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 I use it more often. It's become a vicious cycle over the last 60 days. I now have an assigned Respiratory Therapist and I will see another specialist in 5 days for more alternatives for additional medication.

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    Reviewed April 13, 2009

    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.

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    Reviewed April 13, 2009

    Let's 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. I'm all for helping the environment and going green. But when it affects my health and my son's health, I say screw it all! I find it highly, highly unlikely that the old CFC normal inhalers affect the ozone. That's 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? Are you 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 for a little piece of crap that doesn't work. Oh wait, according to the FDA and the government, it's 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 don't 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 ** that they are, gets their way. I switched over to a nebulizer. I can get my nebulizer for 10 bucks. It works 10 times better than the HFA crap. I take my nebulizer everywhere with me.

    I bought an adapter for my car cigarette lighter (costs about 20 bucks at Wal-Mart) that changes my car into a wall outlet! I can take my nebulizer in the car (lol). It might be an inconvenience for some but I look at it like this: inconvenience or being able to breathe. Hopefully they bring back the CFC inhalers or at least find a better Solution. HFA doesn't work. Thousands of people are saying the same thing. Why aren't our voices being heard? They can't ignore us forever. How many people have to suffer or even die until our government takes notice?

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    Reviewed April 10, 2009

    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 assumes 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 propellant 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.

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    Reviewed April 10, 2009

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

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    Reviewed April 8, 2009

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

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    Reviewed April 7, 2009

    I have had to use my Pro-Air HFA more frequently than my CFC inhaler. 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 inhalant. 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. 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!

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    Reviewed April 2, 2009

    I thank God that I came across the websites with other people complaining about the new inhalers. I am 53 years old, a lifelong asthmatic; and since the beginning of the year, I 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 it's 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! It's 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. People are dying!

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    Reviewed April 1, 2009

    The FDA took Albuterol USP inhalers for the treatment of asthma off the market due to the propellants. The replacement inhalers do not work. I cannot breathe.

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    Reviewed April 1, 2009

    I have been an asthma sufferer for the past 15 years. Once the new HFC 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 and traveled from South Dakota to Lincoln and Omaha, NE. I had difficulty in breathing and tightness. I used my Ventolin HFC 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 was 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 entrance of the school. My lungs were so tight I was gasping. I walked extremely slowly to the admin office 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 HFC 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, 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 breathe through 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 ambulance and given two neb treatments to the hospital. This started to alleviate my lungs. At the hospital, I had another 5 neb treatments, 2 steroid shots in my IV, within a 1-2 hour timeframe. I knew my HFC 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!

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    Reviewed April 1, 2009

    I do not get the same results with new inhaler. In fact, it makes me worse. I find using my nebulizer compressor with Albuterol much better and I find it hard to believe we must use something that does not work. If I end up in the hospital because of this, I will sue .

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    Reviewed March 31, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed March 30, 2009

    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!
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    Reviewed March 29, 2009

    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!
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    Reviewed March 27, 2009

    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?
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    Reviewed March 26, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed March 25, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed March 23, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed March 23, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed March 23, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed March 22, 2009

    the new HFA inhalers DO NOT WORK
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    Reviewed March 22, 2009

    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!
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    Reviewed March 22, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed March 21, 2009

    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?
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    Reviewed March 19, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed March 19, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed March 17, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed March 12, 2009

    Albuteral HFA doesnt work. The product does nothing for asthma.
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    Reviewed March 11, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed March 10, 2009

    Pricey and a total waste of money. They don't work.... A form of genocide for America?
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    Reviewed March 6, 2009

    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
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    Reviewed March 6, 2009

    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
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    Reviewed March 3, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed March 2, 2009

    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. You said it was correct fopr the governemnt to take away my air?? 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. This counrty is a communist country. If one looks at other countries they will see their learders help the citizens not hurt them. People need to wake up and see the horrible things our country does to us. If you watch TV the media is not showing you the horrible things we do to children and others in other countries. 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.
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    Reviewed March 1, 2009

    does not work right, im sucking on them and it no work like the old ones, somethings wrong with this picture...
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    Reviewed Feb. 28, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 26, 2009

    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 PUKE..THE INHALER IS THE CULPRIT MY LIFE WAS GREAT BEFORE. ON MY REGULAR ALBUTEROL INHALERS.
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    Reviewed Feb. 25, 2009

    I had an allergic reaction to the ethanol in the new propellant. I am severely corn- and alcohol- allergic. This is unacceptable.
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    Reviewed Feb. 24, 2009

    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?
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    Reviewed Feb. 23, 2009

    Asthmatic for 60 years. I see that once again , as in my childhood , the doctors and their pals have decided to punish asthmatics. It used to be , when I was a boy , you are doing this to yourself , stop doing that and breathe properly!. These days it's you are not breathing properly , start breathing properly now , learn to use that inhaler properly!
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    Reviewed Feb. 23, 2009

    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?
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    Reviewed Feb. 23, 2009

    The demise of CFC powered asthma inhalers in favor of those using the HFA propellent has an additional consequence not mentioned in your article. Reported some months ago is the possibility that the user of an
    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 23, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 22, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 22, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 20, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 20, 2009

    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 .
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    Reviewed Feb. 19, 2009

    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 die's
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    Reviewed Feb. 19, 2009

    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!!!!
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    Reviewed Feb. 19, 2009

    I just want to add my story to the numerous testimonies of the failings of the HFA ProAir inhalers. I developed asthma as a small child. I have been able to keep it under control with the CFC inhalers. I have now been switched over to the HFA inhalers and like so many others have found no relief from them. And, contrary to the statements made by people who have no clue what it is like to be without air...to even insinuate that asthmatics aren't taking their medication properly or that it is our fault because we are having problems is just arrogant. I think we know how to take our medicine...after all we don't want to suffocate or die...so of course we will take it properly. How stupid do you think we are? When will you people stop? Perhaps you will have a life threatening experience that takes your breath away and then you will understand. 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?
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    Reviewed Feb. 19, 2009

    In the fall my doctor switched me to the new inhalers and my asthma has been much worse. I feel tired much more and feel like I am getting sick more. My asthma is not well controlled anymore. It is very frustrating . I also can not afford the new HFA medicine and my
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    Reviewed Feb. 19, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 19, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    The HFA inhalers do not work as effectively as the CFC inhalers in rescue situations. I have to take twice as much medicine with the HFA inhalers, and the HFA inhaler clogs causing medicine to go up in the air instead of into the mouthpiece and lungs. I go through a HFA inhaler in 10 days and then my insurance company will not allow me to refill for two more days, because I am only allowed one inhaler per 12 days. Consequently I am without any medicine, which is extremely dangerous for an asthmatic. (I've had asthma since I was born and have been hospitalized for serious attacks in the past.) 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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    my asthma was under control for years before the switch from cfc to hfa inhailers.upon my first use of the new inhailer i became dizzy and my lungs felt sore like someone pulled a rake acrosss them the feeling lasted for 2 days. they also have a horrible taste and no matter how hard i inhale when using it and believe me when you are having an asthma attack it is hard to take a deep breath it just sits on my tongue i cant get that taste out of my mouth. i have only had to use the inhailer 2 times but each time i got the same reaction still couldnt breath terrible taste sore lungs. 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
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    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 When i first read they were going to ban the propellant I wondered why?? 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..
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    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!!!!!!!!!!!!
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    I just read your article on the new HFA inhalers and reading the comment by the FDA representative about not changing there position on these new HFA inhalers is short sighted and a diservice to asthmatic patients. These new inhalers are inferior, case closed! I was sick for many months after using these products: coughing, burning chest, worsening asthma symptoms and body aches. It was HORRIBLE! I had two ER visits and doctors by the way seem to be clueless about this issue. Its the most hopeless, helpless feeling you can imagine and I truly feel that the FDA will have to eat their words hopefully sooner than later. 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!
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    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!
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2009

    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!
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    Reviewed Feb. 17, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 17, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 17, 2009

    The FDA has banned CFC Inhalers in favor of the inefficient and more costly HFA Inhalers.
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    Reviewed Feb. 17, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 17, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 17, 2009

    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. 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!!
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    Reviewed Feb. 17, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 17, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 17, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 17, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 17, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    RE: HFA INHALERS
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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...).
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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?
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    I first was given an HFA inhaler, by my doctor, to try in the late 90's. This was when the only medication I had to rely on for my asthma was my albuterol inhaler, which worked every time. The first time I tried the HFA inlaher, I thought I must have done something wrong because it didn't work at all. I tried it again and it still didn't work. 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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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!!!!
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    I am complaining about the proposed ban on some inhalers used for Astma suffers by the FDA.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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....
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    My son was first given the new inhaler a few years ago. He was still pretty young. He is 16 now. He has been on an inhaler since he was about 5. When given the new inhaler, he gagged and sputtered and hated it. At the time, I complained to the doctor and they changed his prescription back to the old inhaler. I was of the opinion that my child, who was already suffering somewhat, did not need to have to deal with this inhaler that obviously was a problem for him. About a year ago, the regular inhalers were no longer being dispensed at our pharmacy and consequently we were getting the new ones. 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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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?
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    I have adult onset asthma and I have relied on CFC powered albuterol to get me through severe asthma attacks for many years. In 2008, unknowingly I was given a
    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
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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).
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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. Please put the CFC inhalers back on the market - at least until an alternative is found for the ethanol propellant.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT, IN MY PERSONAL OPINION, THE NEW HFA INHALERS, USED AS RESCUE INHALERS FOR THOSE OF US SUFFERING FROM COPD, ARE NOWHERE NEAR AS EFFECTIVE AS THE ONES WE WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE BEFORE AL GORE OPENED HIS BIG MOUTH.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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 just a bunch of bull. 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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    These new HFA Inhalers do not work, WE NEED OUR OLD CFC INHALERS BACK.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    Like the people in your article, I have COPD and asthma. I did manage to stock up on a couple of CFC inhalers before the ban, but I am having to try to strech them out and am using the HFA inhalers as much as possible. I echo the sentiments that they do not work. I have heard and tried all the explanations and helpful tips, but they do not work. 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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    My CFC inhaler was switched to HFA-propellant inhaler for asthma because of the new international law banning CFC asthma inhalers.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    Having been diagnosed with asthma from the age of 5 I have used different inhalers for over quarter of the century. While my doctors tell me the it is controlled now I am still supposed to carry a rescue inhaler at all times. My last prescription yielded the new ProAir inhaler that proved to be worse than useless. Having overextended myself in the gym I felt the need for the inhaler (first time in a month). Well, I had the new, freshly cleaned ProAir in my sweatpants.
    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    I was surprised when I got my first HFA inhaler. It was ProAir . My asthma is considered severe. I was used to using my inhaler and getting immediate relief. Shortly after using the new inhaler I felt the need to use it again. Then later again. I couldn't care less how the new inhalertastes. I need the inhaler to relax my lungs so I can breathe. The new inhaler never makes my lungs fully relax like the old CFC inhaler. 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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    My adult daughter has had asthma since she was a child. She has always used a Ventolin CFC rescue inhaler with great success (only needing 1 or 2 puffs). It seems that she is now one of the unlucky ones for whom the new HFA inhalers DO NOT WORK as expected! 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!
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    Please give us back our CFC inhalers. This is like living in ** 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.

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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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:
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    My son is 4 years old. When he was 9 months old, he got bronchiolitis. Every subsequent winter he would get sick every month, and have trouble breathing. He would also cough so much he would throw up. When he was 3, he had to go to the doctor every month to get help to breathe. They gave him a steroid inhaler to manage his inflammation, and an albuterol inhaler (CFC) to give him relief. 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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    I have been a life long asthmatic and have had my asthma manageable for the last 15 years. I rely on a rescue inhaler 1-2 times a week when doing heavy exercise. I have tried 2 different HFA inhalers and neither will give me the relief of the CFC inhalers. I have been trained in the proper use of the HFA inhaler. Bottom line it is not effective on me. While not a cost issue for me (HMO Covers the higher cost) it does not work. I have had to very carefully monitor my heavy exercise as I no longer have a viable backup when I have an asthma flare up. I truly believe the FDA has not done their homework and are putting peoples lives at risk, in the guise of saving the environment.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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 **). I was referred to an Allergist, who gave me an 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.

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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    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!
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    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2009

    The HFA inhalers do not work for me. They have made my asthma 100 times worse than it has ever been. This is such a helpless feeling that our government would take away a lifesaving medication for the label of going green. It feels like genocide. I have already been documenting my discomfort daily so that my husband has an account of what I have been going through in case I die from my asthma.

    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 **.

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    Reviewed Feb. 11, 2009

    I have two complaints.
    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 11, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 10, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 9, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 7, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 7, 2009

    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!!
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    Reviewed Feb. 7, 2009

    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.
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    Reviewed Feb. 7, 2009

    A am truly worried, as so many others, that I am going to die because of the switch to the new HFA inhalers.
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    Reviewed Feb. 6, 2009

    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. Obama how he would like that because my bet is he would not, at all. Thank you for reading Kelly
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    Reviewed Feb. 6, 2009

    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!!
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    Reviewed Feb. 6, 2009

    Banning of CFC rescue inhalers to ineffective HFA inhalers.
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    ProAir HFA Inhalers Company Information

    Company Name:
    ProAir HFA Inhalers
    Website:
    www.proairint.tevapharm.com