When Should You Replace Your Inhaler And Spacer
Inhalers are commonly prescribed for asthma and COPD. With an inhaler, the medication can be directly delivered to the lungs, where it can be most effective. Apart from cleaning and maintaining your inhaler, you should also be aware of when you need to replace your inhaler. Here is how you can find out it is time to get another inhaler or spacer:
Replacing Your Inhaler
Calculate Approximately When It Will Run Out
When you have been specified asthma or COPD inhalers, a particular dosage is also prescribed. You will most likely be using your inhaler regularly and will have to replace it as the medication only lasts for a certain time. If your inhaler has a dose counter, it’s easy to count the days to replace it. Check the instruction booklet or box that comes with your inhaler to find out the number of puffs or “actuations”. This will help you calculate the amount of time it will approximately take for the medication in your inhaler to run out based on the number of times you use it in a day. When you know the approximate date your inhaler will run out of medicine, you can make a note in your calendar to get it replaced on time.
Keep Track Of The Expiration Date
Some asthma inhalers are meant to be used only when needed in response to symptoms. These reliever inhalers are meant to be used in emergency situations when you are having an asthma attack and need fast-acting medications. As these asthma inhalers would not be used regularly, it can be easy to lose track of when they expire. While most asthma inhalers last a long time, it is important to replace them before they expire. Inhalers that are used regularly are likely to empty out before they expire but it doesn’t hurt to check the date when you purchase a new inhaler to ensure that it won’t be expiring soon.
Other Factors
If your inhaler stops working due to any trouble with the device and you can’t fix it with normal cleaning and maintenance methods, you should replace it immediately. For example, with dry powder inhalers (DPIs), if the device is kept in a humid environment, the powder can clog up, making it difficult to inhale the medication with its proper dosage. DPIs should ideally be cleaned with a dry cloth once a week but if the powder builds up too much, you might consider replacing the inhaler, especially if it has been 6 months since you started using it.
Replacing Your Spacer
Spacers are generally recommended for use along with pressured metered dose inhalers (PMDIs). While they generally last longer than pMDIs, they need regular maintenance by cleaning them once a month or after you have had a cold or a respiratory infection. They can be washed in warm water with liquid dishwashing detergent and left to air dry. They should be replaced after six months of usage.
Inhalers and spacers can be effective at managing asthma and COPD symptoms when they are used correctly. Replacing your inhaler at the correct time is a part of their proper usage as you won’t get the benefits of the medication if your inhaler runs out. To find out more about how to use inhalers, check out our guide here.
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