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.

Jump to this post

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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