New Formulation of Asthma Inhalant Pulled Off Market

WASHINGTON — A new version of a widely used asthma drug is being pulled off the market because of increased reports of such side effects as coughing and choking, the Food and Drug Administration announced Friday.

Boehringer Ingelheim of Ridgefield, Conn., has agreed to stop marketing its new version of a prescription asthma inhalant sold under the brand name Aluprent, the FDA said.

Sandoz Pharmaceuticals of East Hanover, N.J., has distributed the same drug under the brand name Metaprel to the Veterans Administration. It is also withdrawing all lots of the new formulation.