1. < Asthma & Allergy

Anyone experiencing misfiring of your inhaler?

Posted by britelite @britelite, Dec 10, 2024

I’ve been on Breyna (generic Symbicort) for a few months now. I take 2 puffs twice a day. Lately, when I get to the last 30 puffs or so, it starts to misfire. I use a transparent spacer so I can see that nothing comes out when I press the canister down but the counter still counts down. It happens about 1 in 3 or 4 actuations. The inhaler is supposed to last for 30 days so I’m afraid It’ll run out before the month. Will the pharmacy rectify this problem? Thanks for any advice.

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hicopd | @hicopd | Dec 24, 2024

In the past when I have had defective or misfiring inhalers, I took it back to the pharmacy where I obtained it (or if traveling to nearest pharmacy). They noted the complaint and gave me a new one (no charge for the swap) and said they’d send the defective one back to manufacturer for me with my complaints.

REPLY
patrick1000 | @patrick1000 | Dec 25, 2024
In reply to @sueinmn "Hi Patrick - You are right, rescue inhalers don't usually have this caution because they are..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Hi Patrick - You are right, rescue inhalers don't usually have this caution because they are meant to be carried along.

I only see the caution on my Symbicort/Breyna inhaler, which contains a combination of drugs. When I used a different, 3 drug combo, it also had the warning. My grandson uses an inhaler that will sometimes misfire if it is not shaken for at least 15 seconds.

That said, I have only ever experience a "misfire" of albuterol or levalbuterol if the inhaler is nearly empty, or if it is very near the expiration date. My local pharmacist says it can also happen if the inhalers have been frozen or stored in too hot a temperature (like in the car in summer.) If that didn't happen in your possession, they said it should be returned to them for replacement.

Have you had albuterol inhalers misfire?

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I've had at least 2 different brand of Albuterol fail 1/2 way through or so. Just got a new one so I'll see how it goes with this one before I blow the whistle. I had used a different brand for a couple years with no issues whatsoever but it's not carried by my current pharmacy. The one that worked has always been used by the Rochester Mayo when I visited.

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 25, 2024
In reply to @patrick1000 "I've had at least 2 different brand of Albuterol fail 1/2 way through or so. Just..." + (show)
@patrick1000

I've had at least 2 different brand of Albuterol fail 1/2 way through or so. Just got a new one so I'll see how it goes with this one before I blow the whistle. I had used a different brand for a couple years with no issues whatsoever but it's not carried by my current pharmacy. The one that worked has always been used by the Rochester Mayo when I visited.

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Do you carry your inhaler in your pocket? If so, maybe it is getting slightly compressed as you move and letting the propellant escape?
I agree there is a wide variability in inhalers between brands - I had one where the propellant was too irritating, when I told the pharmacist he found a different one for me. My insurance didn't care as long as it was generic.
Have you looked into the possibility of having your Rx filled by Mayo and mailed to you?

REPLY
1 reply
patrick1000 | @patrick1000 | Dec 25, 2024
In reply to @sueinmn "Do you carry your inhaler in your pocket? If so, maybe it is getting slightly compressed..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Do you carry your inhaler in your pocket? If so, maybe it is getting slightly compressed as you move and letting the propellant escape?
I agree there is a wide variability in inhalers between brands - I had one where the propellant was too irritating, when I told the pharmacist he found a different one for me. My insurance didn't care as long as it was generic.
Have you looked into the possibility of having your Rx filled by Mayo and mailed to you?

Jump to this post

Rarely have occasion to carry the Albuterol with me. Interestingly, I stopped by the Rochester Mayo subway pharmacy to get my favorite Albuterol brand and was told they didn't carry it and that they were really a separate entity from the clinic.

REPLY
hicopd | @hicopd | Dec 25, 2024

I have rarely needed to carry my albulerol around either. I find for me Xopenex is SLIGHTLY better at not increasing my heart rate when I use it compared to regular albuterol. My doctors prescribe that for me instead. In any case, I mainly need it when I’m having a bad flare—otherwise my regular maintenance meds keep my lungs pretty calm.

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beckett | @beckett | Feb 16 4:01pm

I recently switched from Advair to Breyna 160mcg/4.5mcg inhaler. I also switched from Spiriva Handihaler to Spiriva Respimat, as it was becoming increasingly difficult for me to inhale the medication via the Handihaler.

The Spiriva inhaler is so easy to use; it has never misfired. It is comfortable to grip and the "trigger" button to release the medication is easy to press down. I know each time I'm receiving a dose.

On the other hand, The Breyna inhaler is problematic for me to handle: the unit is small, difficult to grip, and the button is difficult to push down. I find I have to use both forefingers with one on top of the other to push it down. Even then, there are times I don't think I'm getting any medication. The button has to be pushed down "just right" in order to release the medication.

I've never had this issue with any of my other maintenance and rescue inhalers.

As for storage when not in use, this is from Breyna's website:

"Store BREYNA at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
-------> Store BREYNA with the mouthpiece down. < --------
The contents of your BREYNA canister are under pressure. Do not puncture or throw the canister into a fire or incinerator. Do not use or store it near heat or open flame. Storage above 120ºF may cause the canister to burst.
Throw away BREYNA when the counter reaches zero (“0”) or 3 months after you take BREYNA out of its foil pouch, whichever comes first.
Keep BREYNA and all medicines out of the reach of children.

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1 reply
hicopd | @hicopd | Feb 16 6:41pm

When I’ve gad my inhaled steroid stop giving me doses before it was supposed to, I took the container to a pharmacy & complained and they gave me a new one.

@beckett Sorry to hear you’re having challenges with your inhaler. Could you ask your lung doctor or his staff to watch you take it and offer tips/tricks?

REPLY
britelite | @britelite | Feb 17 2:34am
In reply to @beckett "I recently switched from Advair to Breyna 160mcg/4.5mcg inhaler. I also switched from Spiriva Handihaler to..." + (show)
@beckett

I recently switched from Advair to Breyna 160mcg/4.5mcg inhaler. I also switched from Spiriva Handihaler to Spiriva Respimat, as it was becoming increasingly difficult for me to inhale the medication via the Handihaler.

The Spiriva inhaler is so easy to use; it has never misfired. It is comfortable to grip and the "trigger" button to release the medication is easy to press down. I know each time I'm receiving a dose.

On the other hand, The Breyna inhaler is problematic for me to handle: the unit is small, difficult to grip, and the button is difficult to push down. I find I have to use both forefingers with one on top of the other to push it down. Even then, there are times I don't think I'm getting any medication. The button has to be pushed down "just right" in order to release the medication.

I've never had this issue with any of my other maintenance and rescue inhalers.

As for storage when not in use, this is from Breyna's website:

"Store BREYNA at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
-------> Store BREYNA with the mouthpiece down. < --------
The contents of your BREYNA canister are under pressure. Do not puncture or throw the canister into a fire or incinerator. Do not use or store it near heat or open flame. Storage above 120ºF may cause the canister to burst.
Throw away BREYNA when the counter reaches zero (“0”) or 3 months after you take BREYNA out of its foil pouch, whichever comes first.
Keep BREYNA and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Jump to this post

@beckett - yes, I agree with you that the Breyna inhaler is difficult to operate. It’s harder to push down the canister than my other inhalers. I’ve been diligent about storing it with the mouthpiece down and thus far, I’ve been able to use it down to the last activation. When I first had the problem, I wrote to the manufacturer and received a reply consisting of a questionnaire and request to send the product back. If I continue to have problems, I will do that. I wish I could get the Symbicort instead of the generic Breyna but my insurance wouldn’t cover it. Good luck to you.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 17 12:36pm
In reply to @britelite "@beckett - yes, I agree with you that the Breyna inhaler is difficult to operate. It’s..." + (show)
@britelite

@beckett - yes, I agree with you that the Breyna inhaler is difficult to operate. It’s harder to push down the canister than my other inhalers. I’ve been diligent about storing it with the mouthpiece down and thus far, I’ve been able to use it down to the last activation. When I first had the problem, I wrote to the manufacturer and received a reply consisting of a questionnaire and request to send the product back. If I continue to have problems, I will do that. I wish I could get the Symbicort instead of the generic Breyna but my insurance wouldn’t cover it. Good luck to you.

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It isn't just the Breyna, but all the generic versions of Symbicort. But to be honest, I can't tell any difference in effectiveness of the generic vs the name brand, so I'm all for saving $$ for me and for the insurance company.

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