Complain about a product or service

HFA Inhalers

Maxim of Waltham MA (02/16/09)
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.

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

Roger of Chicago, IL February 16, 2009

Roger of Chicago IL (02/16/09)
New HFA albuterol inhaler replaced old CFC albuterol inhaler. These inhalers are for rescue use, for sudden asthma attacks - not for maintenance use. New inhaler acts much more slowly. When having a sudden attack, you need fast action to relieve the symptoms. Asthma is the inability to breathe, which makes it impossible to take the deeper breath necessary to get the medicine into your lungs with this weaker propellant. New inhaler clogs much more easily. Instructions say to wash it more frequently, but when having an attack it is too late to wash it out and let it dry.

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

Janet of Wickenburg, AZ February 16, 2009

Janet of Wickenburg AZ (02/16/09)
I was given a sample PROAIR inhaler by my pulmonary doctor, and this was the first I learned that the CFC inhalers were being done away with. The inhaler made my chronic asthma worse - it made me cough, and I had trouble breathing for DAYS after use. My 24 year old son, who is also a lifelong, chronic asthmatic, had the exact same experience. Not only that, the new inhalers COST MORE at the pharmacy.

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

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

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

April of St. Louis, MO February 16, 2009

April of St. Louis MO (02/16/09)
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.

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

Sammye of Powell, TN February 16, 2009

Sammye of Powell TN (02/16/09)
I am not a medical professionl or pharmacist and didn't really KNOW what is in the Pro Air inhaler that we are being FORCED to use....all I can tell you is...1. they do NOT work nearly as well, therefore you use them more often, placing you at risk...and 2. I have actually counted the puffs. and there is NOT 200 puffs in them! I complained to my pharmacist at Walgreens here in Powell, TN..and she said she has had nothing but complaints about them..but that her hands are tied.

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

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

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

Catherine of Salt Lake City, UT February 16, 2009