Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What makes ProAir HFA #1?
A. Several things. ProAir HFA leads the albuterol market in prescriptions with more than 14 million in 2008 alone,
and that’s more ProAir HFA prescriptions than all other albuterol HFA inhalers combined.
1 ProAir HFA also has
the most preferred commercial managed care status, which means lower out-of-pocket costs,
2 and the most valuable
discount card program, with up to $100 in savings ($20 off the next 5 prescriptions) for qualified patients.
Q. Can children use ProAir HFA?
A. YES. ProAir HFA is approved for children 4 years of age and up for asthma and to prevent asthma that may occur
with exercise. Specifically, ProAir HFA 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.
3
Q. I’m new to ProAir HFA. What does HFA mean?
A. HFA stands for hydrofluoroalkane, the substance that propels your inhaler. The previous propellant was made
from chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs for short, which the FDA removed from sale as of December 31, 2008, because they
deplete the ozone layer.
4 Your new ProAir HFA inhaler contains the same medicine, and is just as safe and
effective, but is now propelled by the more environmentally friendly HFA propellant.
5
Q. How often should I use ProAir HFA?
A. Use it exactly as prescribed by your physician. But if you find yourself using ProAir HFA more than 2 times per
week, your asthma may not be controlled and you should speak with your physician as soon as possible.
6
Q. Why should I keep my inhaler clean?
A. It is very important to keep your inhaler clean so that the medicine does not build up and block the
spray when you need it most. You should wash the actuator at least once a week, but do not try to clean
the metal canister or let it get wet.
Click here for instructions on how to clean ProAir HFA.
Q. Why do I need to prime my inhaler?
A. You must prime the inhaler to get the right amount of medicine. Prime the inhaler before you use it
for the first time or if you have not used it for more than 14 days. To prime the inhaler, take the cap
off the mouthpiece of the actuator. Then shake the inhaler well and spray it into the air away from your
face. Shake and spray the inhaler like this 2 more times to finish priming it.
Click here for how to
use ProAir HFA.
References:
1. IMS Health National Prescription Audit, TRx Data, October 2008.
2. Business One Technologies. November 25, 2008.
3. ProAir HFA Prescribing Information. Teva Specialty Pharmaceuticals LLC, 2008.
4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Albuterol Inhalers: Time to Transition. Available at:
http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/albuterol053008.html. Accessed January 12, 2009.
5. Boccuzzi SJ, Wogen J, Roehm JB. Use of hydrofluoroalkane propellant delivery system for inhaled albuterol in patients receiving asthma medications. Clin Ther. 2000;22(2):237-247.
6. National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP). Expert
Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma—Full Report 2007. Bethesda, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; August 2007.