Blocked inhaler: Ho there, Despite... - Asthma Community ...

Asthma Community Forum

22,701 members24,979 posts

Blocked inhaler

INeedAUsername profile image
6 Replies

Ho there,

Despite regular cleaning with cotton buds as per instructions, my brown inhaler is blocked and won’t clear - nothing coming out. It’s one of the ones with a dose counter, so can’t flush through with running water like my blue one. Any ideas how to avoid this?

Thanks!

Written by
INeedAUsername profile image
INeedAUsername
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
6 Replies
peege profile image
peege

Ah, I've only heard about Fostair doing this. Also having a counter they would regularly give up the ghost around the 78 mark. I too did the cleaning with a twist of a damp cotton bud, sometimes it worked sometimes it didn't. Very annoying if your gp is strict about prescription dates. I think there were many complaints because it no longer happens. I must have had to recycle at least 10 with over 70 inhalations left, I complained to the pharmacist but he didn't give a toss. There were several members complaining about it over on AsthmalungUK forum. You could try contacting the manufacturers of your brown inhaler, ask for some firm of confirmation that it's happening so you can get an extra one prescribed by the gp. That's all I can think of im afraid. P

peege profile image
peege

Just wondering, I only ever cleaned the inverted nipple of the pink Fostair container where the medication comes out. I dont think I ever tried cleaning the actual aerosol nozzle.

ReedB profile image
ReedB

Sometimes I can get my fostair to unblock by using a pin/needle.

Troilus profile image
Troilus

Try giving it a bang. I sometimes hit it nozzle down and it does the trick

Free2Breathe profile image
Free2Breathe

I use Clenil, from Chiesi, and it ALWAYS stops working properly around the half way mark. I wrote to Chiesi but they were more interested in my asthma management than the mechanics of their MDI. I have had moderate success running it through warm water but it only seems to help once per inhaler. I will certainly try giving it a bang! Otherwise, any other suggestions?

TalkieToaster profile image
TalkieToaster

I've had this problem with every Fostair inhaler I've had, they're rubbish. What I've been doing for years is putting the Fostair cannister in an old Ventolin inhaler body, I get a good dose and it never blocks .

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

New Inhaler

Hi all. I am going to be starting a new inhaler called Spiriva Respimat, 2.5mcg. This is in...
Scoobs87 profile image

Inhaler ventolin prescription

Am I being unreasonable? Recently renewed my ventolin prescription as my previous 2 have expired. I...
Thommo90 profile image

Ventolin inhaler -v- salbutamol generic inhaler

I feel better with the genuine ventolin inhaler rather than the generic one. Does anyone else have...
Eibhlinn profile image

Lost inhaler

I was away this weekend and left my inhaler (fostair nexthaler 200/6) on a coach I was travelling...
elanaoali profile image

Which inhaler ?

Hi everyone I gave up smoking 4 years ago and I had no side effects from smoking, I'm currently...
jogger1 profile image

Moderation team

See all
Homely2 profile image
Homely2Administrator
Lysistrata profile image
LysistrataAdministrator
ALUK_Nurses profile image
ALUK_NursesAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.