Tell us about your symptoms and treatment experience. Take our survey here.

caret icon Back to all discussions

White Albuterol Inhalers: How do you know when there's medicine buildup?

HELLO! It is I! I am back again to ask questions to this wonderful community of asthmatics! it feels like forever since I've asked y'all stuff. So, time for me to ask this question: Who is familiar with the Cipla brand albuterol inhaler? it's white and has a round mouthpiece. Anyway, if you are familiar with this or another white albuterol inhaler I would like to ask you this. How do you know if there is medicine buildup in your inhaler? Cause you have to clean it when there is. I don't wanna clean it too often or not enough cause both could be bad. I think we all know how to clean inhalers right?

  1. Hi Wild Tech, and 'welcome back!'
    This is a great question - thanks for posing it!
    First of all, we actually have an excellent article posted right here, on asthma.net, which focuses on cleaning our equipment, including metered dose inhalers (MDI's). For your convenience, here is a link to the article: https://asthma.net/living/asthma-chores-cleaning-supplies.
    As for the inhaler you mentioned, I am familiar with it. As you said, it is important to clean the metered dose inhaler (MDI), housing to prevent the medication build-up and to keep the units clean. You should be able to see the 'powdery' build-up, even though the housing is white, and the powder is also white. If you look closely, you will see it. Typically, you can clean the MDI's about once/week! If you are using the MDI four-times-a-day (or more), you may see the build up more often and then you will want to clean the MDI more frequently.
    What are your thoughts?
    Leon (site moderator asthma.net)


    1. Hi again, Wild Tech - glad to hear this was helpful for you.
      How are you doing today?
      Leon (site moderator asthma.net)

    2. A lot of chest congestion, coughing and wheezing but I feel so much better, just seems to wanna hang around, I'm breathing fine, I haven't had another severe attack since last week. So, I'd say I'm doing fine

  2. Hi again, Wild Tech - thanks for letting us know. I'm glad to hear you are doing fine, with no attacks since last week. I do hope this continues for you and, you can keep clearing all the congestion.
    Keep doing well!
    Leon (site moderator asthma.net)

    1. Thanks Leon!

    2. It's my pleasure, Wild Tech!
      Leon (site moderator asthma.net)

Please read our rules before posting.