Certain inhalation devices once opened or assembled and in use, must be used within a specified timeframe to avoid reduced stability and sterility, which can impact efficacy of treatment. Medications with shortened expiration dates, as specified by the manufacturer in the product’s package insert, should be labeled once in use to avoid administration beyond the recommended expiration or ‘beyond-use date’. Many inhalation devices also contain dose counters, and should be discarded when the counter reads ‘0’.
MDI’s (Metered-Dose Inhalers) – Releases a softer warmer aerosol spray with hydrofluoroalkane (HFA), that is best delivered with a closed-mouth technique.
| Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI) | Expiration Date |
|---|---|
| Advair HFA * fluticasone/salmeterol | Manufacturer’s expiration date on the packaging |
| Airsupra albuterol / budesonide | 12 months after removal from foil pouch |
| Alvesco ciclesonide | Manufacturer’s expiration date on the packaging |
| Asmanex HFA mometasone | Manufacturer’s expiration date on the packaging |
| Atrovent HFA ipratropium | Manufacturer’s expiration date on the packaging |
| Bevespi Aerosphere glycopyrrolate / formoterol | Three months after removal from foil pouch (three weeks for the 28-inhalation canister) |
| Breyna budesonide / formoterol | 3 months after removal from foil pouch |
| Breztri Aerosphere glycopyrrolate / formoterol / budesonide | Three months after removal from foil pouch (three weeks for the 28-inhalation cannister) |
| Dulera mometasone / formoterol | Manufacturer’s expiration date on the packaging |
| Flovent HFA * fluticasone propionate | Manufacturer’s expiration date on the packaging |
| ProAir HFA * albuterol | Manufacturer’s expiration date on the packaging |
| Proventil HFA albuterol | Manufacturer’s expiration date on the packaging |
| Qvar RediHaler beclomethasone dipropionate | Manufacturer’s expiration date on the packaging |
| Symbicort HFA * budesonide / formoterol | Three months (90 days) after removal from foil pouch |
| Ventolin HFA albuterol | 12 months after removal from foil pouch |
| Xopenex HFA * levalbuterol | Manufacturer’s expiration date on the packaging |
Soft-Mist Inhaler – Releases a slow soft mist of medication that last longer in the air than aerosols
from MDIs.
| Soft-Mist Inhaler: Respimat | Expiration Date |
|---|---|
| Combivent Respimat albuterol/ipratropium | Three months (90 days) after assembly of device |
| Spiriva Respimat tiotropium | Three months (90 days) after assembly of device |
| Stiolto Respimat tiotropium/olodaterol | Three months (90 days) after assembly of device |
| Striverdi Respimat olodaterol | Three months (90 days) after assembly of device |
Dry-Powder Inhaler – Delivers a fine powder, that requires a forceful inhale. DPIs may NOT be ideal
for elderly or those with weak nerve or muscle strength.
| Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI) | Expiration Date |
|---|---|
| Advair Diskus * fluticasone / salmeterol | 30 days after opening the foil pouch |
| AirDuo RespiClick * fluticasone / salmeterol | 30 days after opening the foil pouch |
| Anoro Ellipta * umeclidinium / vilanterol | Six weeks (42 days) after opening foil tray |
| Arnuity Ellipta * fluticasone | Six weeks (42 days) after opening foil tray |
| Asmanex Twisthaler mometasone | 45 days after opening foil pouch |
| Breo Ellipta * fluticasone / vilanterol | Six weeks (42 days) after opening foil tray |
| Duaklir Pressair aclidinium bromide / formoterol fumarate | Two months (60 days) after opening sealed pouch |
| Flovent Diskus * fluticasone | Six weeks (42 days) after opening foil pouch (50 mcg strength) and two months (60 days) after opening foil pouch (100 mcg and 250 mcg strength) |
| Incruse Ellipta umeclidinium | Six weeks (42 days) after opening foil tray |
| ProAir RespiClick albuterol | 13 months after opening foil pouch |
| Pulmicort Flexhaler budesonide | Manufacturer’s expiration date on the packaging |
| Serevent Diskus salmeterol | Six week (42 days) after opening foil pouch |
| Spiriva HandiHaler * tiotropium | Manufacturer’s expiration date on the packaging |
| Trelegy Ellipta fluticasone / umeclidinium / vilanterol | Six weeks (42 days) after opening foil tray |
| Tudorza Pressair aclidinium bromide | 45 days after opening sealed pouch |
| Wixela Inhub fluticasone / salmeterol | 1 month after removal from foil pouch |
Nebulizer Storage Comparison Chart (by Medication Name & Manufacturer)
| Medication Name | Manufacturer | Refrigeration (Y or N) | Expiration date once foil pouch is opened | Specific Storage Recommendations | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution | Nephron Mylan | N | 7 days | Store unit-dose vials in protective foil pouch at all times. Once removed from the foil pouch, use vial within one week. Discard the vial if the solution is not colorless. | DailyMed |
| Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution | RiteDose | N | 30 days | Once the foil pouch is opened, the vials can be used for up to 30 days. Vials must be stored in foil pouch as product is light-sensitive. | Manufacturer |
| Ipratropium Bromide Inhalation Solution | Nephron | N | 7 days | Protect from light. Store in pouch until time of use. One week after opening 5 pack vial from foil pouch, 2 weeks after opening 30 pack vials from foil pouch. | DailyMed |
| Ipratropium Bromide/Albuterol Sulfate | Nephron | N | 7 days | Store in protective foil pouch at all times. Once removed from foil pouch, the vials should be used within one week. | DailyMed |
| Levalbuterol Inhalation Solution | Amneal Teva | N | 2 weeks once pouch is opened. If vials are removed from the pouch, they must be protected from light and used within 1 week. | Protect from light and excessive heat. Keep unopened vials in the foil pouch. Once the foil pouch is opened, the vials should be used within 2 weeks. Vials removed from the pouch, if not used immediately, should be protected from light and used within 1 week. | DailyMed |
| Levalbuterol Inhalation Solution 1.25mg/0.5ml | Teva | N | Use Immediately | These are single unit dose vials, use immediately once foil pouch opened. | DailyMed |
| Budesonide Inhalation Suspension 0.25mg/2ml | Cipla | N | 2 weeks | When an envelope has been opened, the shelf life of the unused ampules is 2 weeks when protected. After opening the aluminum foil envelope, the unused ampules should be returned to the aluminum foil envelope to protect them from light. Any opened ampule must be used promptly. | |
| Aformoterol Tartrate (Brovana) Inhalation Solution 15mcg/2ml | Cipla (generic) Sunovion (brand) | Y | Unit dose vials. Use immediately upon opening foil pouch. | Store arformoterol tartrate inhalation solution in the protective foil pouch under refrigeration at 36°-46°F (2°-8°C). Protect from light and excessive heat. After opening the pouch, unused unit-dose vials should be returned to, and stored in, the pouch. An opened unit-dose vial should be used right away. Discard any unit-dose vial if the solution is not colorless. Unopened foil pouches of arformoterol tartrate inhalation solution can also be stored at room temperature 68°-77°F (20°-25°C) for up to 6 weeks. If stored at room temperature, discard if not used after 6 weeks or if past the expiration date, whichever is sooner. | DailyMed |
| Formoterol Fumerate (Perforomist) Inhalation Solution 20mcg/2ml | Teva (Generic) Mylan (Brand) | Y | Individually wrapped vials | Vial should always be stored in the foil pouch, and only removed IMMEDIATELY before use. Store in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) and discard when drug expires or store at room temperature, 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) and discard if not used after 3 months. Protect pouch from light and heat. | |
© 2026 HealthDirect Pharmacy Services MTK-1343 June 2026
