Primatene Mist Bronchial Asthma Inhaler - Supplier Needed

By John Gever, Senior Editor, MedPage Today
Published: September 22, 2011

The FDA issued a reminder to physicians and patients that the only over-the-counter inhaler for asthma symptom relief will be gone from the market on Dec. 31, as part of an international ban on its chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellant.

That is the last date that Primatene Mist, delivering aerolized epinephrine, can legally be sold in the U.S., according to an FDA rule issued in 2008.

Primatene Mist is also the only approved inhaler for asthma symptoms with epinephrine as the active ingredient.

Physicians should start asking all patients with asthma if they use the product and, if so, talk to them about prescription inhalers that can be used instead for short-term symptom relief, said Andrea Leonard-Segal, MD, of the FDA's nonprescription drugs unit, on a conference call with reporters.