Dosage warning: A major pharmaceutical company has withdrawn a number of asthma inhalers from pharmacies following the discovery of a possible problem with the ability of the devices to deliver a correct dose of medication. Dr Muiris Houston, Medical Correspondent, reports.
Astra Zeneca (Ireland) has written to doctors and pharmacists advising them of its decision to withdraw a Bricanyl inhaler and three types of a Pulmicort inhaler.
Bricanyl is a "reliever" inhaler used by people with asthma to stop shortness of breath and wheeze. Pulmicort, a steroid product, is used as a "preventer" medication to prevent symptoms in people with the disease.
The inhalers were distributed to pharmacies this summer. In the case of the Bricanyl inhaler, the batch number of the affected product is CF323. Pulmicort LS inhaler and Pulmicort 200 micrograms inhalers have the following batch numbers: CF116, CE854, CE853, CC371, CC505 and CF003.
In a statement, the company said: "The reason for the recall is that inhalers from these batches may fail to deliver the accurate dose due to 'stiff actuators'. This means that depression of the canister to release the dose may be impaired".
According to Dr Caroline Waldron, technical services manager with Astra Zeneca, the fault may mean that too little or no actual drug is inhaled. "This could lead to an increase in airways symptoms within a few days to a few weeks, depending on the severity of the disease," she said.
The company advised doctors that even though only a small proportion of inhalers are likely to be affected, they should be vigilant in relation to patients prescribed Bricanyl and Pulmicort inhalers.
The recall does not affect Turbohaler versions of the inhaled drugs. These operate by a breath activated mechanism and do not rely on the canister being depressed manually. Patients are also advised that any inhaler that operates normally when first used will continue to operate throughout the life of the inhaler.
Asthma affects approximately 250,000 people in the Republic. The prevalence of the disease has increased markedly among children in recent years.