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

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Swiss medical weekly 2015, Vol.145 (3132), p.w14162-w14162
Main Authors: Di Paolo, Ermindo R, Spaggiari, Stéphanie, Pannatier, André, Sadeghipour, Farshid, Rochat, Isabelle, Hafen, Gaudenz M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Albuterol - administration & dosage
Bronchodilator Agents - administration & dosage
dose counter
Nebulizers and Vaporizers
pressurised metered-dose inhalers
Weights and Measures
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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.
ISSN:1424-7860
1424-3997
DOI:10.4414/smw.2015.14162