Why was the ProAir® HFA inhaler discontinued? I use this inhaler, what should I do now? ~ Lea, DailyBreath Community member
Author: Lorene Alba, AE-C, Certified Asthma Educator, Content Manager, DailyBreath, LLC
On October 1, 2022, Teva, the manufacturer of the ProAir® HFA inhaler announced they have discontinued making this inhaler. ProAir® HFA is a metered dose inhaler (aerosol) that includes albuterol sulfate and propellant. If you currently use this inhaler, do not panic. It is now being offered in different inhalers.
Teva is still making ProAir®, but as dry-powder inhalers (non-aerosol). This means there is no propellant in the inhaler, so the medicine does not spray out on its own. Instead, the user takes a deep, fast, hard, breath in to pull the medicine out of the inhaler and into the lungs.
Why is the HFA Inhaler discontinued?
DailyBreath has not been able to find an official statement from Teva as to why this inhaler is no longer being manufactured. However, Teva is the first pharmaceutical company to develop a family of dry-powder, smart inhalers, called Digihaler®. The Digihaler® is a smart inhaler that has a built-in sensor to help you better understand how you use your inhaler. The sensor works with an app on your smartphone to record how often you use your inhaler and provides feedback on how well you inhale the medicine. You can share this information with your doctor. Together, you can create a personalized treatment plan that’s best for you. The Digihaler® family includes:
· ProAir® Digihaler® (albuterol sulfate), a rescue inhaler
· ArmonAir® Digihaler® (fluticasone propionate), a long-acting controller medicine
· AirDuo® Digihaler® (fluticasone propionate and salmeterol), a long-acting combination controller medicine.
Inhalers are also known as delivery devices. Some inhalers are long (like the Digihaler®) while others are flat (like the Diskus). Each delivery device requires different priming, holding, and inhalation techniques. By offering three types of medicine in the same delivery device, Teva is hoping users will easily remember the steps to using the Digihaler® and avoid mistakes.
Is the Digihaler right for you? Things to consider when using a dry-powder inhaler.
There are benefits to using a dry-powder inhaler (DPI). DPIs do not need priming or shaking before use. You do not use a spacer or valved-holding chamber with a DPI. There is no button to press, so no need to coordinate pressing the inhaler at the same time you inhale. Since there is no propellant, users do not need to worry about reactions to the propellant, or the propellant impacting air quality when sprayed in the air.
DPIs may be harder to use than metered-dose inhalers for some. You must be able to take a hard, deep, and fast breath in to get all the medicine out of the inhaler. Sometimes you can’t taste the dry powder so you are not sure if the full (or any) dose of the medicine was received. The ProAir® DPIs are larger than the metered-dose inhaler version and they may be harder to hold.
What should I do now that the inhaler is no longer available?
Users have four options:
Option 1: ProAir® RespiClick® is an inhalation powder for people four years and older.
Option 2: ProAir® Digihaler® is a digital, breath-actuated, DPI rescue inhaler for people four years and older. Do not use ProAir® Digihaler® if you are allergic to lactose or milk proteins.
Option 3: Generic albuterol sulfate is available as a metered dose inhaler.
Option 4: Switch to a different name brand of albuterol sulfate (Proventil, Ventolin) or to levalbuterol (Xopenex).
Talk with your doctor and insurance company.
Ask your insurance company which asthma medicines are available on their formulary. Work with your doctor to find the best medicine and delivery device for you to use.