Teva Pharmaceutical announced QVAR RediHaler (beclomethasone dipropionate HFA) Inhalation Aerosol is now commercially available to patients in both 40 mcg and 80 mcg strengths by prescription in the U.S. QVAR RediHaler is the first and only breath-actuated aerosol inhaled corticosteroid for the maintenance treatment of asthma as a prophylactic therapy in patients 4 years of age and older. It is not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm.
QVAR RediHaler differs from conventional metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) as it delivers medication via a breath-actuated inhaler, eliminating the need for hand-breath coordination during inhalation. QVAR RediHaler administers the same active ingredient found in the previously available QVAR (beclomethasone dipropionate HFA) Inhalation Aerosol, but utilizes innovative breath-actuated inhaler technology. QVAR RediHaler was also designed to be ready for use, with no shaking or priming needed. Because the medication delivery is breath actuated, it should not be used with a spacer or volume holding chamber.
“QVAR has been an available asthma treatment option for well over a decade, so we are excited by the new technology of QVAR RediHaler that directly addresses an unmet need in the field of asthma management,” said Brendan O’Grady, Executive Vice President, North America Commercial at Teva. “By merging our breath-actuated inhaler technology with asthma medication, we hope to better serve the needs of the respiratory community and look forward to seeing the adoption of QVAR RediHaler in the coming months.”
With the launch of QVAR RediHaler, Teva is discontinuing sales of the previously available QVAR. Patients currently prescribed QVAR and/or their caregivers are encouraged to speak with a healthcare professional about how this new treatment option may impact their treatment plan and how to obtain and use QVAR RediHaler, if desired. QVAR RediHaler will be priced at parity to QVAR.