When to start new inhaler

[akosime]

Hello everyone, hope we are all coping well. Just want to ask maybe a very silly question, but, at what number reading do you discard a metered dose inhaler (like Fostair)? It strts at 120. Last month i finished it up to 0 but felt like there is nothing there but air. Now with my current one, i am on reading 10 but i felt like from 20, i feel it is not giving me relief. Sorry if i did not explain it properly. When do you start a new one?

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

All the best us here!

[andy121]

Hi, I know what you mean im on fostair after 10 feels like inhaling fresh air. I explained this to nurses and pharmacist but all say its same until 0. So I just throw it away at 10 now. Im on prepayment so dont make no difference to cost.

[HungryHufflepuff]

Interesting. I too have found after 20 it doesn’t seem to work so well. I start the new one when my old one is at 10, except the Spiriva Respimat which does seem to work to zero.

[Tugun]

Hi,

I have to agree with Andy and HH. If it isn't working for you - start the new one. I have powdered salbutamol and find that when it goes into the red zone I'm still getting some but I'm not always sure as I often can't feel it going in. At first I used to test it and shake the powder out to see if there was any. There usually was. Now I keep the nearly gone ones for at home for when I'm not desperate and if I think they are gone - I'll test it.

[Ts777]

I agree, I dump mine when it gets to about 10.

When it gets to around 20, I take 3 puffs (I’m on the weaker variant so it’s not a disaster if I get a little too much).

I’m convinced they have the numbers wrong.

[tusty]

I dump my inhaler (120 flutiform) too at 10. Between 20 and 10 i use a new one in the morning and the old one at night. Sometimes i think its empty by 20...

[Ken6]

Hi,

Keep going till it reaches zero. They used to go on for a lot longer before they had counters. Sometimes, not often the nozzle blocks. I keep a clean old plastic inhaler handy and swop the cartridge if I sense something is wrong.

Ken

[akosime]

Oh, i’m glad then i am not the only one experiencing it cos i thought maybe i’m just imagining it that i feel bit more breathless throughout the day when i reach 20 on the inhaler as since Fostair is long acting it works quite well for me.

I have started using a new one, and just kept the old one on the side for now.

Thanks everyone!