Blue inhaler: I have found a blue... - Asthma Community ...

Asthma Community Forum

21,547 members24,420 posts

Blue inhaler

25 Replies

I have found a blue inhaler that has this year's date on it. I am not sure of the month. What is the safest way of getting rid of it. As I have one that I am using and a spare one that is until 2021 I believe

Read more about...
25 Replies
elanaoali profile image
elanaoali

Boots will recycle it or you can give it to your local pharmacy to incernate it.

Try not have to many on the go. I was told off by my asthma nurse to be careful that each inhaler I have in date. I put a reminder my phone when they expire so I not caught out. Last January I ended up in A &E with an asthma attack. I was embarrassed to find out that my inhaler was near empty. I keep one with my spacer and one spare.

in reply to elanaoali

I lost one so I ordered myself a new one and find my old one and checked the date on it. But I wasn't sure how to get rid of it safely. Thanks for the advice

in reply to elanaoali

I take it from your comment that you didn’t realise it had nearly run out that you have an evohaler.

I do have a ventolin evohaler, but not for general use. For that I use an accuhaler which has the advantage that it comes with a counting device - something the evohaler versions lack (which, in my opinion, is a disgrace; it should have been addressed years ago and I don’t understand why it hasn’t). The evohaler version I use when I’m really bad and cannot use the accuhaler. I have the same set up for my preventer inhalers.

in reply to

I lost one as I was cleaning out my flat. It was a spare one I had. So I ordered a fresh one just in case I needed one. When I checked a certain area for something for college. I found it.

in reply to

How many do you have? I usually keep two accuhalers: one which never leaves my bedroom and a second which goes with me wherever I go. The evohaler also stays in my room along with the spacer device (though both will go with me if I am going on holiday somewhere).

in reply to

I have the one I use and a spare one. But as I said I lost one and ordered a fresh one. I am not going to use out of date inhaler's as I am not sure on the risk's that they might happen

elanaoali profile image
elanaoali in reply to

You definitely can't use an out of date because they lose their strength. (From a pharmacist)

elanaoali profile image
elanaoali in reply to

Yes I do have a ventolin evohaler for when I need it if my asthma gets worse. I agree the impossible way of not known how much you have is really annoying. I shake mine to try and work out how much is in it. I use a big spacer with mine. My Fostair nextdoor is great like yours with a count down.

in reply to elanaoali

I have both. I use a spacer myself. I get my pharmacy to order my fostair as I keep forgetting to order my fostair.

elanaoali profile image
elanaoali in reply to

Good idea to get them to do the repeat. I too am on Fostair. I put reminders in my phone to order them. I on lots of different medications for two associated conditions acid reflux and post nasal drip. I am able to afford these as I have a prepayment card. I pay £10.60 a month for limitess prescription. Just read today that the prescription charge is to go up to £9 in April.

in reply to elanaoali

I am unlucky as I am on state money and looking for work so I don't pay. I can understand why people go on pre paid NHS card's. I would do the same. Would gladly pay the extra bit if I was not fully covered

elanaoali profile image
elanaoali in reply to

Are you in America?

in reply to elanaoali

United Kingdom is where I live

elanaoali profile image
elanaoali in reply to

Ok you said state was paying for your prescription so that's why I thought US

in reply to elanaoali

I am state benefit it covers JSA, UJ, ESA and all other benefits that the UK offers. I just put it in a general term

Wintersbite profile image
Wintersbite

I have 4 blues and I've been told that is a good amount to have one in my bedroom, one on my person and two spare the reason for the two spear is I had a asthma attack got my evohalor shook it so knew it was full but got no juice from it so had to go and get my other one that I carry around with me and no problem the bedroom one was in date as I only just got it and before I get asked about any brown's my Dr spent 6 months proving I am actually allergic to all brown inhalers and can only have the blue evohalor or I'm on the nebuliser so my order ratio is equivalent to blue and brown. But always order a extra one just in case you need a spare for your spare and I have a puppy aswell who has a few times got to my inhaler being helpful and punched it but all mine get used in time as if I have 4 I don't need more if I 2 better get 1

If I don't have any my Dr is on my back so always wise to keep some but don't over order

in reply to Wintersbite

I don't use them as my asthma is completely controlled. I am fostair 100/6. The 6 is a blue inhaler that lasts 12 hour's. I know this as I asked a nurse as I am having minor issues with my asthma.

JD2k9 profile image
JD2k9 in reply to

yeah fostair is the pink one what as green cap blue one is salamol reliever both are 100 ml i still weez when taken both why im take steriods includeing antibiotics ive never been on 100ml until changed gp

in reply to JD2k9

You are on about fostair 200/6 I am on the all pink inhaler which is 100/6

JD2k9 profile image
JD2k9

recycle bin best ive one blue one purple a aerochamber dont know why dose as been lowered now on more tablets steriods and antibiotics because of constant invections ive never taken before until inhaler mil was lowered doc makes no sense apparantly is to gradualy up the dose only 100ml is only what i can have ive hayfever what triggers off weezing

in reply to JD2k9

The blue inhaler that is due to run out this year is a full one. I lost it before I used it. Which is hardly ever as I have my asthma completely under control

Griffon profile image
Griffon

I have used inhalers that were years out of date and they were still effective .

Don't waste this one , use it !

I am asking for advice that is all, how to recycle it if I wanted to recycle it. I don't use blue inhalers anyway. As I have my asthma completely controlled

Destiny10 profile image
Destiny10

Camilla 22

Just hand it in to the pharmacy, they recycle the plastic parts.

Smoggy1990Boggy profile image
Smoggy1990Boggy

I presume the counter issue hasn’t been solved is because of the cost not that it makes it acceptable. I think it is essential such an important medication has a counter due to asthma always having the potential of being life threatening. Think the number Asthma U.K. quote is three people a day losing their lives due to an asthma attack.

You may also like...

Problems with alternative inhaler to Seretide

I have been on the Seretide inhaler for 3 years , it was fine. However now I Am told that the...

Dr changed inhaler again

I am having a lot of palpitations and heart flutters since I started this. Has anyone else having...

steroid inhalers and oral thrush

with my steroid inhaler as I am constantly getting thrush at the back of my mouth ( I have it...

Newly opened inhaler shakes

couple of days when using a newly opened inhaler ? Once the inhaler has been opened and used for a...

Inhaler caused acute laryngitis?

I've found a reference that says some asthma inhalers using corticosteroids can be the cause. Has...