Stop using the flotation technique and start weighing salbutamol pressurised metered-dose inhalers without dose counters

Ermindo R. Di Paolo; Stéphanie Spaggiari; André Pannatier; Farshid Sadeghipour; Isabelle Rochat; Gaudenz  M Hafen

doi:10.4414/smw.2015.14162

Peer reviewed clinical letter

Vol. 145 No. 3132 (2015)

Stop using the flotation technique and start weighing salbutamol pressurised metered-dose inhalers without dose counters

Ermindo R. Di Paolo
Stéphanie Spaggiari
André Pannatier
Farshid Sadeghipour
Isabelle Rochat
Gaudenz M Hafen

Cite this as:: Swiss Med Wkly. 2015;145:w14162
Published: 26.07.2015

Summary

Salbutamol pressurised metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) are not equipped with dose counters outside the USA. The aim of this study was to describe a simple reproducible method for determining the number of doses remaining in a pMDI based on scale weight. With a laboratory scale, the mean weight of the canisters was 28.61 ± 0.10 g after priming and 14.84 ± 0.23 g after 200 puffs. Similar results were obtained with two common digital scales. We recommend weighing salbutamol canisters on a common digital scale, and replacing an old pMDI with a new one when the weight falls to ≤15 g.

References

Sander N, Fusco-Walkert SJ, Harder JM, Chipps BE. Dose counting and the use of pressurised metered-dose inhalers: running on empty. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2006;97(1):34–8.
Ogren RA, Baldwin JL, Simon RA. How patients determine when to replace their metered-dose inhalers. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1995;75(6):485–9.
Brock TP, Wessell AM, Williams DM, Donohue JF. Accuracy of float testing for metered-dose inhaler canisters. J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash.). 2002;42(4):582–6.
Rubin BK, Durotoye L. How do patients determine that their metered-dose inhaler is empty? Chest. 2004;126(4):1134–7.
Conner JB, Buck PO. Improving asthma management: The case for mandatory inclusion of dose counters on all rescue bronchodilators. J Asthma. 2013;50(6):658–63.

How to Cite

1.

Stop using the flotation technique and start weighing salbutamol pressurised metered-dose inhalers without dose counters. Swiss Med Wkly [Internet]. 2015 Jul. 26 [cited 2025 Oct. 13];145(3132):w14162. Available from: https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/2051

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DOI:: https://doi.org/10.4414/smw.2015.14162

[1] Sander N, Fusco-Walkert SJ, Harder JM, Chipps BE. Dose counting and the use of pressurised metered-dose inhalers: running on empty. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2006;97(1):34–8.

[2] Ogren RA, Baldwin JL, Simon RA. How patients determine when to replace their metered-dose inhalers. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1995;75(6):485–9.

[3] Brock TP, Wessell AM, Williams DM, Donohue JF. Accuracy of float testing for metered-dose inhaler canisters. J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash.). 2002;42(4):582–6.

[4] Rubin BK, Durotoye L. How do patients determine that their metered-dose inhaler is empty? Chest. 2004;126(4):1134–7.

[5] Conner JB, Buck PO. Improving asthma management: The case for mandatory inclusion of dose counters on all rescue bronchodilators. J Asthma. 2013;50(6):658–63.