Aerosol inhaler for asthma is a pressurized aerosol which when used will eject the medicine as aerosol into the lungs.
The content inside asthma aerosol inhalers is propellant and the medicine. Typically the propellant is almost 99% of the content.
CFC propellants are replaced by HFA (hydrofluoroalkane) propellants as CFC is an ozone depleting substance. More information about HFA propellant inhalers can be found here.
Some of the asthma inhalers use 1,1,1,2-TETRAFLUOROETHANE as the propellant.
Since these inhalers are pressurized devices they will come under classification criteria of transport regulations. Aerosols are classified under UN 1950 in UN Model regulations.
Class 2.1 for flammables aerosols and class 2.2 for non-flammable aerosols.
However special provision 190 of model regulations states “Aerosols with a capacity not exceeding 50 ml containing only non-toxic constituents are not subject to the provisions of this Code.”
Inhaler capacity greater than 50 ML = UN 1950 2.2
Inhaler capacity not more than 50 ml = not hazardous for transport
IMDG Code Compliance Centre 