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 |
* 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/
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