Rescue Breaths: Moving Away from Pressurized Metered Dose Inhalers

Abstract

This paper serves as a brief report and practice guide for providers looking to prescribe with consideration of planetary health. Pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs), which commonly dispense asthma medications such as albuterol (Ventolin, GSK), are major contributors to greenhouse gases. The small hand-held puffers contain harmful propellants that aide in medication delivery. The propellants often contain hydrofluorocarbons, which are powerful greenhouse gases. One handheld pMDI may carry the same carbon footprint as driving a small car for 175 miles. There are alternative prescription practices that can be used to improve planetary health without compromising patient care.