Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. plans to discontinue all its Digihaler® products sold in the U.S. on June 1. This includes: ProAir Digihaler, AirDuo Digihaler, and ArmonAir Digihaler. Both ProAir and AirDuo are available in Teva’s Respiclick products – the same medicine formulations without the digital component. Teva does not offer the ArmonAir formulation in a branded alternative or generic.
The ArmonAir Digihaler is an inhaler that had been recommended as another option for Flovent. Brand-name Flovent was discontinued at the end of 2023.
If you currently use a Digihaler product, talk with your health care provider about other options now.
Here are some other possible options for Teva’s Digihaler products:
Possible replacements for ProAir Digihaler (quick-relief inhaler)
Clinical equivalent to ProAir Digihaler:
- ProAir Respiclick (dry powder albuterol inhaler made by Teva)
- ProAir HFA and the authorized generic (albuterol – metered dose inhaler)
- Other generic albuterol HFA inhalers (available as metered dose inhalers but may not be exact equivalents to the ProAir HFA generic, as the inactive ingredients may be different)
Different but equally effective:
- Xopenex HFA and generic (levalbuterol HCI – metered dose inhaler)
- AIRSUPRA (albuterol/budesonide – a quick-relief medicine that contains two medicines)
Possible replacements for ArmonAir Digihaler (inhaled corticosteroid)
- Generic fluticasone propionate HFA (metered dose inhaler – doses are slightly different than ArmonAir but equally effective)
- Generic fluticasone propionate Diskus (dry powder inhaler – dosing may be different than ArmonAir and the inactive ingredients may not be exactly the same)
Other options that are different but equally effective:
- Arnuity Elipta (fluticasone furoate)
- QVAR RediHaler (beclomethasone dipropionate - breath actuated inhaler)
- Alvesco (ciclesonide – metered dose inhaler)
- Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide – dry powder inhaler)
- Asmanex HFA (mometasone furoate - metered dose inhaler)
- Asmanex Twisthaler (mometasone - dry powder inhaler)
- ARNUITY ELLIPTA (fluticasone furoate – dry powder inhaler; not equivalent to ArmonAir Digihaler)
Possible replacements for AirDuo Digihaler
Advair Diskus and Advair HFA and their generics may be an option. They contain the same medicine as AirDuo. The doses are different but equal and can be substituted. The inactive ingredients are different.
- Advair Diskus or generic fluticasone propionate/salmeterol Diskus (dry powder inhaler)
- Wixela Inhub (fluticasone propionate/salmeterol – dry powder inhaler)
- Advair HFA or generic fluticasone propionate/salmeterol HFA (metered dose inhaler)
Other options that are different but equally effective:
- Symbicort and generic Breyna (budesonide/formoterol - metered dose inhaler)
- Dulera (mometasone/formoterol – metered dose inhaler)
Your doctor can help you choose the best replacement for you.
How to Use an Asthma Inhaler
Incorrect inhaler use can stop your asthma medicines from getting to your lungs. If your medicine isn’t reaching your lungs, your asthma might be harder to control.
Inhaler mistakes are more common than you might think. Up to 92% of people with asthma use their devices incorrectly.
How you use your inhaler depends on what type it is. There are four types of inhalers:
Metered dose inhaler – This inhaler has a canister that you press down as you breathe in the medicine. It is also commonly used with a spacer or valved holding chamber.
Breath actuated inhaler - This type of inhaler is not a press-and-breathe inhaler. When you take a fast, deep breath in, it pulls the medicine out of the device and into your lungs.
Dry powder inhaler – This inhaler delivers medicine as a dry powder. It is a type of breath actuated inhaler. It delivers the medicine when you inhale. Some of these inhalers are round. These are Diskus inhalers.
Soft mist inhaler – This inhaler delivers medicine in a mist form. You have to prepare a new soft mist inhaler by inserting a cartridge and priming it before you use it.
Learn how to use your asthma inhaler by looking up your inhaler on our Asthma Medicines Search or check out our resource “How to Correctly Use Your Asthma Devices.”
This is part of a statement Teva sent to health care providers:
“On 6/1/2024 Teva will discontinue distribution of the Digihaler® products in the US [ProAir® Digihaler® (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Powder, ArmonAir® Digihaler® (fluticasone propionate) Inhalation Powder, AirDuo® Digihaler® (fluticasone propionate and salmeterol) Inhalation Powder]. Software and technical support for the Digihaler app and dashboard will end on 6/1/2024.”
AAFA issued the following statement about the discontinuation:
“It is unfortunate to hear that more asthma inhalers are being discontinued. The Teva Digihaler portfolio had offered an innovative approach to encourage adherence to treatment by integrating a digital solution with an inhaler. We hope manufacturers continue to invest in new asthma therapies.
It is imperative that people using Teva’s Digihaler products to treat their asthma reach out to their provider now to determine the best alternative treatment options. Unfortunately, when GSK discontinued Flovent, some people using that inhaler were transitioned to the ArmonAir Digihaler. Some formularies do not cover the authorized generic of Flovent, forcing patients to change treatment. Manufacturers, insurance companies, and pharmacy benefit managers have a responsibility to work together to ensure continued access to life-saving asthma medicines.”
Medical Review: April 2024 by Jerry M. Shier, MD
Stay in the loop - get news and research updates straight to your inbox with our e-newsletters.
SIGN ME UP FOR UPDATES!
Comments (0)