RESCUE INHALER

[stryker1]

CAN ANYONE TELL ME HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOUR INHALER IS OUT OF MEDICINE,OR WAIT TILL NOTHING COMES OUT BUT AIR

[TuckBox2]

Hi Stryker1,

I usually mark my label with the date I start mine and if I am taking 2 puffs twice a day (200/4=50) so I add 50 days to it and use that as a guide.

Another method is the "float test." Take the metal canister out of its plastic holder and place it in a container of water. A full canister is heavy and either sinks or floats with its top pointing down in the water. A half-full canister is less heavy and floats at a 45 degree angle with the surface of the water. An empty canister is light and floats nearly horizontal with the surface of the water. A major shortcoming of this method is that it is not very precise and cannot accurately distinguish between nearly empty and entirely empty.

you can see a diagram of this on this link.

asthma.partners.org/NewFile...

[peege]

Metered dose inhalers contain a propellant, you'll be inhaling that for a while after the drug itself has run out.

It's a sort of feeling thing, if you check often enough you can tell or I take out the little canister & give it a gentle shake. If you've good ears you can hear the swish of the liquid. Like Tuckbox, I used to put a note in my diary when beginning a new one but now there's a counter on my preventer. Mind you, the last one had weak sprays when there were 25 left, by 19 I knew I was getting nothing but propellant.

[2greys]

If your hearing is ok you can hear the liquid slopping as you shake it. Again not precise or cut a sticky label to fit and mark off each puff with a stroke with a cross stroke on every fifth one (easier to count in fives)

[Hidden]

and if you are not breathing as well the med inhaler may have been empty for a day or 2. Usually though I use the shake method, if empty no sound of liquid moving.

[Hidden]

Hi

I make a note when I start my inhalers on my diary/calendar and I just got an app called Medisafe now I have so many meds..it sends me reminders etc. It keeps count for me.

Hope it helps

[watergazer]

I was told to do the water float test as explained by tuckbox2 BUT STILL HAVENT GOT THE HANG OF IT or to take the canister and shake it and still not good at that. I suggest you write down the number of doses you take,

[soulsaver]

Float test seems best. Shaking it doesn't really work 'cos the propellant will still rattle when the medication has gone.

I have a peak flow meter which will show the before and after result - no improvement = empty.

Whatever method you use, doesn't have to be precise; if you know could be near out you aren't feeling the effect, start a new one.

You could also use a digital scales & weigh it. Take the can out of the plastic is prob best.

I don't remember the weights with certainty, so I'll not guess and confuse peeps if wrong.

But you'll sort it out next time you decide it's empty - weigh a full one vs empty one.