# Why is there no Intal?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-intal/511705>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 27, 2009, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-intal/511705 "2009-09-27T01:26:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2009, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-intal/511705/1 "2009-09-27T01:26:21Z")

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I love Intal. It’s the best asthma inhaler I’ve ever used. The problem is, I haven’t been able to get a refill for months–the suppliers for my two local pharmacies and an online pharmacy I’ve used all have been out of stock. I asked my Internist, who couldn’t recall why this was happening and gave me a scrip for a medication that I like a lot less. Is it true that the manufacturer has discontinued it based on propellant manufacture issues, and if so, is there a reason why nobody’s picking it up?

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**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2009, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-intal/511705/2 "2009-09-27T02:04:08Z")

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From the MPR:

> [@](#):
>
> King Pharmaceuticals has decided to discontinue the manufacturing of Intal Inhaler (cromolyn sodium inhalation aerosol). This decision is based on King’s inability to identify a qualified manufacturer for chlorofluorocarbon propellant inhalers and to reformulate Intal to a chlorofluorocarbon-free or hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellant formulation. Intal Inhaler will remain available through pharmacies and wholesalers until current supplies are depleted. Healthcare professionals are being notified to transition patients currently using Intal to alternative therapies.

[http://www.empr.com/Intal-Inhaler-discontinued/article/141142/](http://www.empr.com/Intal-Inhaler-discontinued/article/141142/)

So Intal is a victim of the discontinuation of CFC-propelled inhalants, it appears.

Bummer, I always found it helpful for my exercise-induced asthmatics, along with being another useful tool to employ for the more difficult to manage asthmatic.

I suspect it never generated enough in sales to make it worthwhile to invest the millions of $$ necessary to make the successful transition to another inhaled form.

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**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2009, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-intal/511705/3 "2009-09-27T02:17:16Z")

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More info from the manufacturer here: [http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/DrugShortages/UCM175032.pdf](http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/DrugShortages/UCM175032.pdf)