Asthma Support Group

Asthma is a disease of the human respiratory system where the airways narrow, often in response to a "trigger" such as exposure to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which respond to bronchodilators.

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thp636 02/26/2007

I was wondering if there is a practical way to know whether there is still medicine in your rescue inhaler?

I just started using a new inhaler and it seems to have worked much better than the one I had. I just figured if there was still propellant in it then I was still getting the albuterol. Noticing the difference after using my new one today, I guess that's not the case.

So how do you know if your inhaler is still good?

Thanks for your help,
Tom

deleted_user 02/26/2007

Take the canister out and put it in a glass of water - if it sinks it's full if it floats way above the water its empty.

There should be exp. date on the canister.

thp636 02/26/2007

thanks,
I had heard of putting it in water from a friend but the brochure that came with it warned against doing that.

It's one of the new inhalers with the different propellant if that makes any difference.

thanks,
tom

deleted_user 02/26/2007

There are new devices you can get at your pharmacy for inhalers, it actually counts down the doses for you it holds the canister. My doctor wrote my son a prescription for one and we love it now we don't have to worry if he has enough albuterol to make it through a month. or wait till it is too late becasue he doesn't always tell us if it is empty. i would ask your pharmacist.

deleted_user 02/27/2007

The floating tip really works, but if you are unsure about doing that, you can look on the canister and it will tell you how many metered doses are in the canister. For example, it would say 200 metered doses. If you take the same puffs everyday, just count the number of puffs you use each day and divide that into the number of doses in the canister. Now you know how many days it will last so you can mark it on the calendar when you need a new one. If it is a rescue inhaler, you just have to write down every time you puff.

thp636 02/27/2007

thanks all,
I asked the pharmacist and she recommended t5he "floating test" too. I wonder why the brochure said not to do it that way? She even demonstrated it for me.
I'll also try to keep track of my dosesas you suggest. Don't want to come up empty if I need it.

Again thanks,
tom

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