CFCs are chemicals that act as propellants, meaning that they help push the medication in a metered dose inhaler out of the canister and into the air in a mist.
Because they are known to be harmful to the ozone layer, CFCs will be phased out of metered dose inhalers by the end of 2008 in favor of replacement propellants known as HFAs. Many people are not happy about this change, because the HFA inhalers taste, feel, and smell so different from the CFC versions.
Over-the-counter epinephrine inhalers that have been sold without a prescription, such as Primatene Mist, are made only in CFC format and will not be available after 2008.
HFA versions of epinephrine inhalers are still years away. So, when the switch away from CFCs is complete, there will be no over-the-counter inhalers available.
