Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2008;46:46-48; doi:10.1136/dtb.2008.05.0013
Copyright © 2008 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

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Switching to CFC-free beclometasone for asthma

Relevant BNF section: BNF 3.2

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compounds, the traditional propellants in aerosol metered-dose inhalers (MDIs), damage the ozone layer in the atmosphere. Following adoption of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer almost 20 years ago, the UK Government produced a transition strategy to enable CFC-containing MDIs 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 difficulties in developing CFC-free beclometasone inhalers, as this drug dissolves in the new propellant. There are now two CFC-free beclometasone inhalers available in the UK – Qvar (Teva) and Clenil Modulite (Trinity-Chiesi), both licensed for asthma. CFC-containing beclometasone MDIs will become unavailable as stocks run out (within the next year). Here we discuss the issues around switching to the CFC-free beclometasone inhalers.