Expired Inhalers: Risks, Alternatives, and What to Do Now

When you reach for your expired inhalers, a portable device that delivers medication directly to the lungs for asthma or COPD. Also known as rescue inhalers, they’re meant to work instantly—yet many people keep using them long after the printed date. That’s a dangerous habit. The FDA doesn’t require expiration dates to be more than 1-2 years out, but studies show most inhalers lose effectiveness within a year after that date. Your albuterol inhaler might still spray, but it could be delivering less than half the dose you need during an attack.

It’s not just about weak medication. asthma inhalers, devices like metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs) used to control breathing conditions rely on precise chemical balance and propellant pressure. Once the seal breaks or the chemical mix degrades, the particle size changes. That means the medicine doesn’t reach your lungs properly—it sticks in your throat or mouth. That’s why you might feel like your inhaler isn’t working, even though it still clicks. And if you’re using a steroid inhaler like fluticasone, using an expired one means your airways stay inflamed, increasing your risk of an emergency visit.

COPD inhalers, long-term maintenance devices often combining bronchodilators and steroids for chronic lung disease are even trickier. These aren’t meant for quick relief—they’re daily tools to prevent flare-ups. An expired one might give you a false sense of security. You think you’re protected, but your lungs are slowly deteriorating. And if you’re relying on a combo inhaler like Advair or Symbicort, the ingredients degrade at different rates. One part might still work while the other doesn’t, making it impossible to know if you’re getting full protection.

Some people hold onto expired inhalers because they’re expensive or hard to replace. But the cost of an emergency room trip or hospital stay from a poorly managed attack is far higher. Many pharmacies now offer low-cost generic versions of albuterol and fluticasone. Insurance often covers them with a $5 copay. If you’re uninsured, look into patient assistance programs—pharmaceutical companies like Teva and Mylan have them for people who qualify.

What should you do right now? First, check the label. If it’s past the expiration date, don’t wait for your next doctor’s visit. Get a new one. Second, if you’re out of refills, call your pharmacy—they might be able to give you a short-term emergency supply. Third, never share inhalers. Even if they’re not expired, they’re personal medical devices. Bacteria and viruses can live in the mouthpiece. Fourth, write the opening date on your inhaler with a marker. Most last 12 months after first use, regardless of the printed expiration.

You’ll find real stories here—people who thought their inhaler was fine until they couldn’t breathe during a panic attack, others who switched to generics and saved hundreds a year, and one woman who kept her expired inhaler as a backup… until it failed during a wildfire smoke emergency. These aren’t hypotheticals. They’re lessons from people who’ve been there.