Austin, TX - In an effort to become more environmentally-friendly, new guidelines are in place to eliminate all asthma inhalers containing CFC propellants, also known as Freon, by the end of this year.

While that may be better for the environment, it comes with a cost.

The inhalers that are going "green" will instead use propellants called HFA's.

Experts say patients won't experience that cold blast with the newer inhalers, but they still get the same effective medicine.

Right now the biggest impact these new inhalers come with is the cost.

There's currently not a generic form available.

Some doctors say while it does cost more, patients who keep their asthma under control should only go through about one "rescue" inhaler a year.

Patients who are having a hard time affording the inhalers should contact the drug manufacturer's patient assistance program. For more information go to www.pparx.org or call 1-888-477-2669.