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 |
| 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) |
| 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.
| Dry-Powder Inhaler (DPI) | Expiration Date |
|---|---|
| Advair Diskus * fluticasone/salmeterol | 30 days after opening the foil pouch |
| AirDuo Digihaler 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 |
| Armonair Digihaler fluticasone | 30 days after opening the foil pouch |
| 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 Digihaler albuterol | 13 months after opening foil pouch |
| 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 |
* Indicates generic products available, follows same expiration date guidance.
References:
- Pharmacist’s Letter. Correct Use of Inhalers. Updated Feb 2021. Available from: https://pharmacist.therapeuticresearch.com/Content/Segments/PRL/2017/Jan/Correct-Use-of-Inhalers-10561
- Product insert, various. Available from: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/
