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PrintPrimatene Mist No Longer Available after Dec. 31, 2011
FDA Asthma News
Primatene Mist No Longer Available after Dec. 31, 2011
Primatene Mist, the only over-the-counter asthma inhaler sold in the United States, will no longer be available next year as part of a phase-out of epinephrine inhalers containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). No CFC-containing epinephrine inhalers can be made or sold after Dec. 31, 2011, to comply with an international agreement signed by the United States, in which countries agreed to phase-out substances that deplete the ozone layer, including CFCs.
If you rely on an over-the-counter inhaler to relieve your asthma symptoms, it is important that you contact a health care professional to talk about switching to a different medicine to treat your asthma. There are many other safe and effective inhalers to treat asthma symptoms. All of these inhalers require a prescription, which must come from a licensed health care professional.
To Learn More:
Phase-Out of Epinephrine CFC Metered-Dose Inhalers
FDA Drug Safety Podcast on Primatene Mist
Consumer Update
