When do asthma inhalers expire

All rights reserved. Always consult your doctor about your medical conditions. Use of the site is conditional upon your acceptance of our terms of use. By Kerri MacKay March 5, Share to Facebook Share to Twitter email print page Bookmark for later comment 7 Reactions 0 reactions. Do asthma inhalers expire? Using older inhalers So, I've been known to use things that are a bit-or more than a bit-"old". Asthma inhaler expiration research Of course, the "expiry dates" are on there for some reason, presumably attributed to some sort of science-based decision by some regulatory authority FDA, Health Canada, etc.

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The Asthma. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here. View references caret icon. Join the conversation View 7 comments caret icon. Reactions reactions. Kerri MacKay Moderator February 27, Also, it is best to replace inhalers once their expiration dates pass. This reduces the risks of experiencing asthma symptoms and complications. People may be able to dispose of expired inhalers by returning them to the pharmacy. Also, manufacturers often give disposal instructions.

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Can you use an inhaler after the expiration date? Expiry dates on inhalers Possible effects Expiry dates on medicines Safe storage Safe disposal Takeaway It is usually safe to use an albuterol sulfate inhaler beyond the expiry date listed on the device, although the inhaler may not be as effective as it once was.

They also look at how the body interacts with medications following this type of exposure testing. The research found that 90 percent of over different drugs retained most of their potency even up to 15 years after the date of expiration. Another study carried out on old prescription medications between 28 and 40 years out of date reported that 12 of the 14 drugs tested retained at least 90 percent potency.

And, according to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices ISMP , most medicines stored according to the recommendations keep at least 70 to 80 percent of their potency for several years post-expiry date, even after being opened. There are some exceptions, however. Though nitroglycerin will still explode.

A pharmacist or doctor can provide advice on storing medicines safely. If this happens, consult a doctor or pharmacist who may recommend replacing the product. Inhalers rely on a well-functioning canister. If punctured, the pressurized canister may burst, and the device will no longer work. For added protection, keep the inhaler in a box or padded bag. The cap helps to protect the canister and pressure level, so people should always replace the cap after use. There are no standard guidelines for disposal of asthma inhalers, and many drug take-back programs will not accept them.

Parsons says because the expiration date is usually on the box or packaging, and not the inhaler canister, tt's best to hold on to the packaging so you can easily reference the expiration date. Keep it with your other medications so you will know where to find it.

Additionally, some inhaler canisters might have a handy blank space for you to actually write the expiration date on the canister itself. Otherwise, you can also use a fine-tip permanent marker and write it somewhere on the canister. If you don't have the packaging and are unsure of the expiration date, there really aren't any ways to tell if it's expired. If you aren't sure when you got the inhaler, you can call up your pharmacy and they can check their records to determine when your prescription was filled and give you a rough idea of an expiration date.

It should also always be stored with the cap on to keep dust and other debris out of the mouthpiece so it doesn't get clogged up. Once you have a new inhaler, you shouldn't just throw your old inhaler away with your normal trash. According to the FDA, some inhalers can be dangerous if they are punctured or put in an incinerator , so it's best to call your local trash facility or pharmacy to ask what they recommend.

It can vary based on where you live. When in doubt, ask your doctor for a new prescription for a fresh inhaler, so you can be sure it's effective, and make sure to take note of the expiration date this time.