Switching to CFC-free beclometasone for asthma

doi:10.1136/dtb.2008.05.0013

Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2008;46:46-48; doi:10.1136/dtb.2008.05.0013

Switching to CFC-free beclometasone for asthma

Relevant BNF section: BNF 3.2

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compounds, the traditional propellantsin aerosol metered-dose inhalers (MDIs), damage the ozone layerin the atmosphere. Following adoption of the Montreal Protocolon Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer almost 20 years ago,the UK Government produced a transition strategy to enable CFC-containingMDIs to be phased out as quickly as possible.^1,2 Hydrofluoroalkanes(HFAs) are now being used as propellants in most MDIs (i.e.CFC-free inhalers). However, there have been particular difficultiesin developing CFC-free beclometasone inhalers, as this drugdissolves in the new propellant. There are now two CFC-freebeclometasone inhalers available in the UK – Qvar (Teva)and ${blacktriangledown}$ Clenil Modulite (Trinity-Chiesi), both licensed for asthma.CFC-containing beclometasone MDIs will become unavailable asstocks run out (within the next year). Here we discuss the issuesaround switching to the CFC-free beclometasone inhalers.