Should Ventolin inhalers have counters?

[Elspe]

Hello. Just wondering why my Ventolin inhalers never have a counter, when from reading many different inhalers do. Is this just down to cost? Seems very stingy to me. I end up with several inhalers in different states of full//empty.

[les4560]

hi there I too am on vintolin and how strange that mine has a counter at the bottom of the back!

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

I think it’s a cost cutting exercise really... they are available but cost the NHS a lot more to prescribe than sans the counter so most places don’t, and especially not across the board with everyone who uses vent. I have a counter on my DPI vent but not on my MDI. My MDI I’ve just learnt how ‘heavy’ it is when it’s nearly empty plus the last 20 come out slightly differently (hard to explain). If you find that it often ‘runs out’ on you, with no replacement causing you to land in a&e etc the doc may consider a swap if not they probs won’t cause as you say most people have spares they can use and have learnt to cope/adjust to the situation. It’s frustrating but it is what it is I think

[elanaoali in reply to EmmaF91]

I hard having to shake it to try and work out what's in it. I taking it regularly on a fourly dose to help with my recovery from an asthma attack. My brain is trying to work out how much I have in it. I haven't used it for ages now using it alot. Time for a shake and guess. I always have a spare.

[hypercat54 in reply to elanaoali]

Yes I end up shaking mine too. I also have various ones in different stages! x

[Minushabens]

In years gone by when I was on simple preventer & reliever inhalers I used to swear blind I could tell how many doses were left just by shaking them - until I got (I think) Seretide that had a counter on, it never occurred to me that you could put counters on them. I'm sure it is cost-cutting though but I equally have a suspicion that they can rig some of the counters to make you have to repeat the prescription more frequently!

[Jampanda48]

Not sure how true this is or if its practical, but I was told that if you pull the metal canister out of the plastic holder and put it in a jug of water, if its empty it will float. I haven't tried this, so be careful if you do! Perhaps try it on one you have finished with? But how to test a new one, that you dont want to ruin? (This could well be rubbish! Sorry)

[cherokee6399 in reply to Jampanda48]

Yes. Years ago before mine had counters I used to do that. It works.

[Smoggy1990Boggy]

I think there should be a counter on all the inhalers and think it’s dangerous they don’t. Invariably a cost cutting exercise at the expensive of people’s lives

[Chook-123]

Have never known ventolin to have a counter I have always put the metal cylinder in a jug/bowl of water (the water can’t harm the content) if it floats it is empty . This method will also tell if half full as the cylinder will bob to the level of the content.

[Hidden]

As ventolin inhalers should deliver 200 doses, I’ve knitted my inhaler a sock to carry it in. (A very small one!). Attached is a knitters row counter- they count up to 100. So twice round and the inhaler is empty. Although- I change the inhaler every 160 puffs - margin of error.

Everytime I take a puff- I notch up the row counter.

[Tealcheese in reply to Hidden]

I think this idea is great!

[Hidden]

I live in the US and all my inhalers have counters on them. Check with your druggist to see if he can order them with the counters!

[Rostom in reply to Hidden]

In the UK the inhaler costs zilch or $10 (don't ask), the disadvantage is you don't get to choose unless you flicker your eyelashes or 'sleep' with the pharmacist (that's a joke by the way).

[Smudge12]

I have also always wondered why no counter as my Fostair has as I never really now when it’s finished . In the long run it might save the NHS as I most probably throw it away before it’s finished !!☹️

[Elspe]

That's my feeling, Smudge.

[Kitty2823]

Salamol easi breathe has numbers