Freon-Propelled Bronchodilator Use as a Potential Hazard to Asthmatic Patients

Abstract

Because release of fluorinated hydrocarbons (Freon) into the air may damage the atmosphere's protective ozone layer, the United States government has banned Freon-powered aerosol products such as deodorants and hair sprays. However, the ban does not apply to aerosolized drugs such as the bronchodilators used by many patients with asthma. While it is unlikely that the amount of Freon released from medical aerosols will threaten the ozone layer, it may threaten the asthmatics themselves. Reports of sudden death among asthmatics using aerosolized medications began appearing in the early 1960s, with some apparent correlation between numbers of asthma-related deaths and the sales volume of aerosolized sympathomimetic drugs. It has been hypothesized that in some asthmatics who become hypoxemic and then use Freon-powered bronchodilator inhalers, the combination of Freon, adrenergic drugs, and hypoxemia leads to fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Sudden deaths have also been reported in healthy young persons as a result of their sniffing Freon-containing sprays (such as deodorants) for their hallucinatory effects, suggesting that Freon may interfere with normal electrical activity of the heart. Asthmatics should avoid abuse or excessive use of aerosolized drugs.