Metered-dose inhalant formulations tetrafluoroethane

Tiwari D, Goldman D, Malick WA, Madan P. Formulation and evaluation of albuterol metered dose inhalers containing tetrafluoroethane (PI 34a), a non-CFC propellant. Pharma Dev Technol 1998 3 163-174. 

Tetrafluoroethane is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) or hydro-fluoroalkane (HFA) aerosol propellant (contains hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon) as contrasted to a CFC (chlorine, fluorine, and carbon). The lack of chlorine in the molecule and the presence of hydrogen reduces the ozone depletion activity to practically zero. Hence tetrafluoroethane can be considered as an alternative to CFCs in the formulation of metered-dose inhalers (MDIs). It has replaced CFC-12 as a refrigerant since it has essentially the same vapor pressure. Its very low Kauri-butanol value and solubility parameter indicate that it is not a good solvent for the commonly used surfactants for MDIs. Sorbitan trioleate, sorbitan sesquioleate, oleic acid, and soya lecithin show limited solubility in tetrafluoroethane and the amount of surfactant that actually dissolves may not be sufficient to keep a drug readily dispersed. 

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