HFA-based metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) contain a propellant to deliver the medication that will continue to spray even after the medication has run out. Therefore, when the medication is gone from the inhaler, it is possible to continue to inhale only propellant and no medicine.This can be dangerous, especially in the case of rescue inhalers that are used to treat asthma symptoms in an emergency.
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Dose-Counters
If your inhaler has a dose counter, this eliminates all the guesswork and uncertainty about how much medicine is left in an inhaler. For example, Ventolin HFA, Advair HFA, and fluticasone have dose counters,
Some asthma inhalers do not have a dose counter on the inhaler. And if you are taking an HFA-basedmetered-dose inhaler(MDI) without a dose counter, knowing when the inhaler is empty or close to being empty can be a challenge.
Asthma Inhalers: Choosing the Right Inhaler for Your Symptoms
Calculating When You Don’t Have a Dose Counter
Some inhalers that contain steroids are prescribed to be taken on a schedule to prevent asthma symptoms from occurring: For this reason, they often are called “controller” inhalers. Since they typically are used a predetermined number of times per day (or week), it’s possible to determine when the inhaler is empty in three simple steps:
When you obtain their new inhaler, it helps to write the “empty date” on the inhaler with a Sharpie marker. For example, if a new inhaler is started on October 1, then write October 31 on the inhaler. This will remind you to get a new inhaler on October 31, even if the old inhaler continues to spray propellant.
This system doesn’t apply to albuterol (rescue) inhalers, since most people don’t use this medication on any regular basis. Instead, These medications are used when anasthma attackis occurring. If your albuterol seems to be less-than-half-full when they shake it, it could be time to get a new one.
A Word From Verywell
Some inhaler devices, such as ProAir Digihaler, are Bluetooth linked to a companion mobile app, so it will alert you when your device runs out of medication. It’s also a good idea to download a pharmacy app where you filled your medications, so you will be reminded when it’s time to refill.
How Long Does an Albuterol Inhaler Last?
1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sander N, Fusco-Walkert SJ, Harder JM, Chipps BE.Dose counting and the use of pressurized metered-dose inhalers: running on empty.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol.2006 Jul;97(1):34-8. doi: 10.1016/s1081-1206(10)61366-x
1 Source
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sander N, Fusco-Walkert SJ, Harder JM, Chipps BE.Dose counting and the use of pressurized metered-dose inhalers: running on empty.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol.2006 Jul;97(1):34-8. doi: 10.1016/s1081-1206(10)61366-x
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sander N, Fusco-Walkert SJ, Harder JM, Chipps BE.Dose counting and the use of pressurized metered-dose inhalers: running on empty.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol.2006 Jul;97(1):34-8. doi: 10.1016/s1081-1206(10)61366-x
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