Asthma Inhalers Often Empty When Needed

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When patients turn to their rescue medication during an asthma attack, they often find their inhalers empty or expired, according to a survey conducted by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

"Almost half, 48.2%, of respondents reported their inhaler was empty during an asthma attack, and more than half, 50.6%, reported it was past the expiration date," said lead investigator William Storms, MD, an allergist from Colorado Springs in Colorado.

He presented the results here at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) 2013 Annual Scientific Meeting.

The survey revealed that 31% of almost 600 asthma patients 18 years and older considered a dose counter on an inhaler the improvement they would most like to see.

"Most products still don't have dose counters," said Dr. Storms. "The FDA suggested dose counters a few years ago, but they are not required on established products — only on new ones. I try to prescribe drugs with dose counters, but health insurance usually has a preferred inhaler. In many cases, it's a generic form that has no dose counter."

Of the 270 survey respondents who reported having an empty inhaler during an asthma attack, 12% had a dose counter. Use of daily controller medication was reported by 37% of respondents. Learn More (Article in MedScape)

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology / Abstract P56 / lead investigator William Storms, MD (Allergist)Colorado Springs, CO