Transition to Albuterol HFA: Are All Inhalers Interchangeable?

Abstract The prevalence of asthma in the United States is on the rise, and current asthma guidelines recommend prescribing short-acting beta agonists (albuterol) for treatment of reversible airway disease. Government regulations have imposed the transition from albuterol CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) to albuterol HFA (hydrofluroalkane). Prescribers must consider differences between CFC versus HFA inhalers, as well as variations among the available forms of albuterol HFA. Device design, increased cost for branded medication, patient preference, and a host of variables must be considered when deciding among the types of albuterol HFA for a given patient. Pharmacists and clinicians must partner together and recognize that all forms of albuterol are not interchangeable and thus improve asthma management.