Healthcare Professionals Patients ProAir HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol

Consumer Update: Primatene® Mist Not Available After December 31, 2011

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a consumer update advising that the Primatene® Mist inhaler will not be available after December 31, 2011. Primatene® Mist contains chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which harm the environment by decreasing the earth's ozone layer.1 Primatene® Mist is an over-the-counter medication used to relieve occasional symptoms of mild asthma.

FDA Urges Primatene® Mist Users to See A Healthcare Provider

Patients who rely on Primatene® Mist for relief from symptoms of bronchial asthma should consult their healthcare providers soon about switching to another asthma medicine. "There are many other safe and effective medications to treat the symptoms of asthma," according to Dr. Badrul Chowdhury, director of the FDA division that oversees pulmonary medications. ProAir® HFA is a quick-relief inhaler approved for the treatment of asthma symptoms. ProAir® HFA is only available by prescription, so talk with your healthcare provider about your symptoms and about whether ProAir® HFA is right for you.

More Information About ProAir® HFA and Asthma:

Asthma Symptoms Checklist
The ProAir® HFA Difference
Keeping Active With Asthma Symptoms

Primatene® is a registered trademark of Armstrong Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

ProAir® HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in patients 4 years of age and older for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Important Safety Information

If your symptoms become significantly worse when you use ProAir® HFA, contact your doctor immediately. This may indicate either a worsening of your asthma or a reaction to the medication, which may rarely occur with the first use of a new canister of ProAir® HFA. Either of these could be life-threatening.

What to tell your doctor before using ProAir® HFA: If you have a heart, blood, or seizure disorder, high blood pressure, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid, be sure to tell your doctor. Also make sure your doctor knows all the medications you are taking – especially heart medications and drugs that treat depression – because some medications may interfere with how well your asthma medications work. Do not exceed the recommended dose.

Side effects associated with ProAir® HFA included headache, rapid heart beat, pain, dizziness, and irritation of the throat and nose.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Reference
  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Primatene Mist with chlorofluorocarbons no longer available after Dec. 31, 2011. www.fda.gov /ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm247196.htm. Published March 16, 2011. Accessed March 29, 2011.