Inhalers generally expire 1 year after they’re issued, but depending on how they’re stored, they may be good for months after that. If there’s any doubt, get a new one.

You may wonder whether it’s OK to use an expired inhaler.

While it may be safe for you or your child, there are some important product warnings that you should keep in mind.

One key point is that a particular medication might be unsafe to use past its expiration date. The product manufacturer, regulatory agencies, and your own healthcare team can provide more information about how an inhaler may be best used.

Albuterol is a bronchodilator, a class of medications that work by relaxing muscles and opening air passages in the lungs to make breathing easier. These medications are commonly prescribed for people with asthma and other breathing-related conditions.

Most inhalers expire 1 year after they’re issued.

A lot depends on how the inhalers were stored during that year. Inhalers are often carried with people in purses or backpacks. That can mean that they’re exposed to greater temperature or humidity changes.

To be safe, you should dispose of an expired inhaler and request a new one from your doctor or pharmacy.

After that expiration date passes, the manufacturer cannot guarantee that the medication will be safe or effective. Medications break down at different rates, depending on how they’re stored.

If you’re in an urgent situation and need asthma medication to breathe, only use an expired inhaler as a supplement until you can find an unexpired inhaler or you can seek medical treatment.

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Generally, using any medication or medical device after an expiration date may have some risk. Risks may include:

  • Expired medication may not work as well as those that haven’t yet expired. This could mean the medication has a lower strength and may not provide the same level of treatment as intended.
  • The amount of medication you need may not work because it’s expired and less effective.
  • Certain medications may produce toxic compounds that could cause side effects.

Your healthcare team and prescribing doctor can advise you best on specific medications and inhalers and what possible risks or side effects may exist if they expire.

Safe disposal of unused inhalers and medication

Inhalers don’t have a universal disposal recommendation, but it’s similar to other medication disposal rules.

Drug take-back programs may not accept inhalers because the canisters are often pressurized and will explode if incinerated. Before you toss your inhaler, read the manufacturer’s instructions. They may provide information on properly disposing of the device.

If the instructions aren’t clear, contact your pharmacist or local waste disposal office for more information. You may be asked to recycle the inhaler, return it to a pharmacy, or simply throw it away.

Most inhalers expire 1 year after they’re issued, and many may still be effective up to 1 year after that expiration date.

A lot depends on how well the inhalers are stored. Inhalers can be expensive, so it’s important to protect and store them correctly to get the longest life from them.

When in doubt, dispose of your inhaler and purchase a new one. This way, you won’t risk not getting the treatment when needed.