Storm in a tea cup for asthma aerosols
A report in the New Zealand Medical Journal today about the temporary effects of asthma inhalers on alcohol breath
testing, is a well known phenomenon and concerns raised by the Asthma New Zealand are a storm in a tea cup, according to
Professor Julian Crane, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Professor Crane said: `It is pretty much a storm in a tea cup. The solution is very simple, breath testing needs to be
repeated after 6 minutes. UK analysis by Lion Laboratories1, manufacturers of evidential breath machines showed that if
a subject with no alcohol in his body used a similar inhaler to Salamol™ , sealed his mouth closed and immediately blew
into an intoximeter it would produce a breath reading of 32 microgram per 100ml (three points below the UK upper limit
for driving). One minute later, not having used the inhaler again, the reading was 1 microgram. Six minutes after using
the inhaler there was no trace of alcohol in a breath test.’
‘Provided a period of at least six minutes elapses between the use of an inhaler and a breath test there is no effect on
the alcohol reading. I know of no case in the world where a sober person has been convicted due to a breath alcohol
reading caused by an asthma inhaler.’
Lion Laboratories also calculated that to raise the breath or blood, alcohol level from zero to the UK legal limit for
driving, a 70kg man would need to take over 5500 actuations of the inhaler product in less than 30 minutes. This equates
to around 27 containers.
Professor Crane added: ‘Asthma New Zealand has suggested that the miniscule amount of alcohol would be a problem for
recovering alcoholics and the Muslim community.. This has been roundly refuted by representatives of those communities.
Asthma New Zealand is clearly unaware that each and every one of us, child or adult makes ethanol, methanol and a whole
variety of volatile organic compounds every day and it can be detected on our breath. It is a simple fact of life’.
Further information:
1) Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine (1997) 4, 55-56 (letter)
SalamolTM CFC-Free Inhaler contains 100mcg Salbutamol (as sulphate) per metered dose. Also contains the CFC-free
propellant Norflurane (HFA134a) and Ethanol (anhydrous). 200 metered doses. Salbutamol makes it easier to breathe when
airways (breathing tubes in your lungs) get tight due to asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is suitable for
use in the relief of asthmatic symptoms. Many asthmatics also require a preventer inhaler. Check with your doctor that
Salamol is right for you. Precautions: Use strictly as directed. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose from
time-to-time depending on the severity of your asthma. Do not stop using your inhaler without your doctor's advice. See
your doctor if a previously effective dose fails to give relief for at least three hours or if you need your inhaler
more often than usual. Do not use if you are allergic to Salbutamol or any of the inhaler components. Side effects may
include Trembling, headache, fast heart beat. Mouth and throat irritation may occur. See your doctor if you have side
effects. Normal doctor's visit fees will apply. PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE. This medicine is fully funded on prescription.
See your doctor or pharmacist for further information. Made in Ireland. Air Flow Products Ltd, PO Box 1485, Wellington.
www.air-flow.co.nz. Phone 0800 AIRFLOW (0800 247 3569) or email: afp@air-flow.co.nz. Salamol is a trademark.