Blog

The FDA has approved the first breath-actuated dry-powder inhaler for relief of acute asthma. The ProAir® RespiClick by TEVA is now available in pharmacies. The Proair® RespiClick contains albuterol sulfate as an inhalation dry powder rather than a solution like it’s popular Proair® MDI (metered dose inhaler).

ProAir® RespiClick is indicated for patients ≥12 years old for the:

• Treatment of bronchospasm or asthma (also called reversible obstructive airway disease)
• Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB).

What are the advantages of this new delivery device?

• Easy to use. Since it is breath-actuated (just the force of breathing in triggers release of the medication), there is no concern for being coordinated.
• No spacer or holding chamber is used.
• Rapid inhalation is typically easier than a slow breath in like the usual asthma inhalers.
• No priming (initial puffs before you use it for real).
• No routine maintenance needed (No need to wash out with water).

What is albuterol?

Albuterol is a beta2-adrenergic agonist that activates beta2-adrenergic receptors on airway smooth muscle that relaxes these tight muscles and opens small airways in the lungs. It is the most common medication to treat acute attacks of asthma and to prevent exercise-induced asthma. It can begin to relieve the symptoms of asthma (cough, wheeze, chest tightness, shortness of breath) in 5 minutes with the good effects lasting 4 to 6 hours. Until now, the products available have been metered dose inhalers, nebulizers, syrups or tablets. Syrups and tablets have more side effects, so these are rarely used now.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval was based on data from 8 clinical trials designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy (effectiveness) of ProAir® RespiClick in adults and adolescents with asthma and exercise-induced asthma. The studies found ProAir RespiClick safe and effective with adverse events consistent with those seen with previous albuterol inhalers. The new ProAir® RespiClick contains 200 actuations (puffs) with each dose delivering 108 mcg of albuterol sulfate (equivalent to 90 mcg of albuterol base) just like the current Proair inhaler.

Who should NOT use ProAir® RespiClick?

• Individuals with severe milk allergy. The dry powder in the inhaler contains lactose and may contain milk proteins. If you have milk allergy, the ProAir MDI inhaler will still be available.

At Family Allergy & Asthma Care of Montana, we keep you up-to-date on new inhalers that become available. For this new inhaler, just listen for the “click”!

This information is solely for informational purposes and not intended as a substitute for consultation with a medical professional.