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Here's a common question for patients that take asthma inhalers, "My inhaler's puff of
medication isn't as strong as my last one and it tastes different, should I be concerned?"
Since 2008 all products containing the chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons, abbreviated CFCs,
used for drug delivery to the dr lungs, have been scheduled to be phased out. This was
due to environmental concerns. So in the last several years, many drug manufacturers started
to use chemicals called hydrofluoroalkanes, commonly referred to as HFAs, to deliver drugs
to patients lungs. As a result of this chemical change, many inhalers had a softer mist and
tasted differently. This change, though from CFCs to HFAs does not mean the medicine is
not delivered correctly. It just means that the drug is delivered in a different way.
There are some important things to know about the new HFA inhalers. Often they need to be
primed before they are first used or have not been used for a long period of time. Priming
means activating the inhaler one or two times before you use it for the drug or to take
your dose. Every manufacturer does provide specific instructions on how to use their
inhaler. And a pharmacist can work with you on ensuring you're using your inhaler properly.
And, in order to get proper delivery it's very important that you do have the right
inhaler technique.