Ventolin running out too quickly

[Spoon27]

My son (14) was prescribed a ventolin inhaler a few months ago because he was getting asthma symptoms during hard exercise. 1-2 puffs works brilliantly when the inhaler is new but is stops being effective after a few weeks when it is still half-full (checked by weighing). We've tried very thorough shaking before each puff, and cleaning the plastic casing of the inhaler, but it hasn't made any difference.

Has anyone else had the same experience? Any ideas about what might be going on?

[Peachesmcbasketball]

Hiya,

I had this and found using the chamber attachment made a huge difference for me. I think some of it comes down to how you are inhaling the medications

Hope this helps x

[Spoon27 in reply to Peachesmcbasketball]

Thanks very much or your reply. I got him to use a spacer attachment for the first time this morning before he went out for a bike ride. He said the inhaler didn't feel like it had worked and that his chest still felt tight. So now I'm very confused as everything I've read says a spacer helps to deliver the medicine more effectively. I'm wondering if taking the inhaler this way just feels a bit different. I tested his peak flow which had improved from 550 to 600 after taking the inhaler.

[SaraMarie24]

Greetings!

Every now and then, I’d give it a good rinse. Did you clean off the inside of the inhaler as well? Probably a silly question, but every now and then mine would need it.

[Spoon27 in reply to SaraMarie24]

Thanks. I think we clean it pretty thoroughly but will try again to make sure,.

[Beader3 in reply to Spoon27]

there is a method of holding the plastic, just so, under a stream of hot running water, for 1 1/2-2min.

[Spoon27 in reply to Beader3]

Thanks. I'll have a go at cleaning an oldish inhaler that has stopped working (even though it's not empty).