Primatene Mist
Encyclopedia
Primatene Mist is a trade name
for an epinephrine
metered-dose inhaler sold over-the-counter in the United States for the relief of bronchial asthma. It is manufactured by Armstrong Pharmaceuticals, a company based in Canton, Massachusetts
and a subsidiary of Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, located in Rancho Cucamonga, California
.
Because Primatene Mist contains chlorofluorocarbon
, . This ban is being challenged in the United States Senate
brand Primatene Mist was introduced in 1963 by Armstrong Pharmaceuticals. In October 2003, Armstrong was bought by Amphastar Pharmaceuticals.
In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) announced that Primatene Mist inhalers, which contain chlorofluorocarbon
s (CFCs), failed to comply with the environmental regulations of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
and therefore could not be manufactured or sold after December 31, 2011. Armstrong Pharmaceuticals is currently developing an HFA version of Primatene Mist to replace the CFC inhalers.
Senator Jim DeMint
has introduced legislation to overturn the ban.
epinephrine.
Trade name
A trade name, also known as a trading name or a business name, is the name which a business trades under for commercial purposes, although its registered, legal name, used for contracts and other formal situations, may be another....
for an epinephrine
Epinephrine
Epinephrine is a hormone and a neurotransmitter. It increases heart rate, constricts blood vessels, dilates air passages and participates in the fight-or-flight response of the sympathetic nervous system. In chemical terms, adrenaline is one of a group of monoamines called the catecholamines...
metered-dose inhaler sold over-the-counter in the United States for the relief of bronchial asthma. It is manufactured by Armstrong Pharmaceuticals, a company based in Canton, Massachusetts
Canton, Massachusetts
Canton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 21,561 at the 2010 census. Canton is part of Greater Boston, about 15 miles southwest of downtown Boston.- History :...
and a subsidiary of Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, located in Rancho Cucamonga, California
Rancho Cucamonga, California
Rancho Cucamonga is a suburban city in San Bernardino County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,269, up from 127,743 at the 2000 census. L. Dennis Michael was elected as Mayor on November 2, 2010. Jack Lam is the City Manager...
.
Because Primatene Mist contains chlorofluorocarbon
Chlorofluorocarbon
A chlorofluorocarbon is an organic compound that contains carbon, chlorine, and fluorine, produced as a volatile derivative of methane and ethane. A common subclass are the hydrochlorofluorocarbons , which contain hydrogen, as well. They are also commonly known by the DuPont trade name Freon...
, . This ban is being challenged in the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
History
The bronchodilatorBronchodilator
A bronchodilator is a substance that dilates the bronchi and bronchioles, decreasing resistance in the respiratory airway and increasing airflow to the lungs. Bronchodilators may be endogenous , or they may be medications administered for the treatment of breathing difficulties...
brand Primatene Mist was introduced in 1963 by Armstrong Pharmaceuticals. In October 2003, Armstrong was bought by Amphastar Pharmaceuticals.
In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration
Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
(FDA) announced that Primatene Mist inhalers, which contain chlorofluorocarbon
Chlorofluorocarbon
A chlorofluorocarbon is an organic compound that contains carbon, chlorine, and fluorine, produced as a volatile derivative of methane and ethane. A common subclass are the hydrochlorofluorocarbons , which contain hydrogen, as well. They are also commonly known by the DuPont trade name Freon...
s (CFCs), failed to comply with the environmental regulations of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion...
and therefore could not be manufactured or sold after December 31, 2011. Armstrong Pharmaceuticals is currently developing an HFA version of Primatene Mist to replace the CFC inhalers.
Senator Jim DeMint
Jim DeMint
James Warren "Jim" DeMint is the junior U.S. Senator from South Carolina, serving since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party and a leader in the Tea Party movement. He previously served as the U.S. Representative for from 1999 to 2005.-Early life and education:DeMint was born in...
has introduced legislation to overturn the ban.
Alternatives
Two prescription inhalers using CFCs are available until December 31, 2013. As of 2011, there are inhalers use hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) as a propellant, but according to the FDA no such inhalers exist for deliveringDrug delivery
Drug delivery is the method or process of administering a pharmaceutical compound to achieve a therapeutic effect in humans or animals. Drug delivery technologies modify drug release profile, absorption, distribution and elimination for the benefit of improving product efficacy and safety, as well...
epinephrine.