Disposing of inhalers
Return any empty or unwanted inhalers to your local pharmacy so they can be disposed of safely.
A member of staff will dispose of your inhalers with other medicine waste so that it can be thermally treated to destroy any greenhouse gases. If you use a spacer with your inhaler, there is advice on how to replace and dispose of these on the Asthma+Lung UK website.
Below are some top tips to help you avoid building up a collection of unwanted inhalers in the first place:
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Always check your stock before ordering more. Preventer and combination inhalers should be used every day and therefore must be ordered regularly. There’s more about these different types of inhalers on the Asthma + Lung UK website.
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You should only tick or request more reliever inhalers if you are running low in the next month. If your pharmacy orders inhalers on your behalf, check your bag when collecting your medicine and make sure they’re not over-ordering.
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It's also okay to order your reliever inhalers at different intervals. You may run low at different times due to how often you use them and the number of doses they contain. Some reliever inhalers have a counter to let you know how many doses are left which can help you know when to order.
If you have been prescribed a new inhaler recently, your pharmacist can also provide advice on inhaler technique through the New Medicines Service. Knowing how to use your new device correctly will help ensure your respiratory condition is well managed. Find a pharmacy close to you on the NHS website or explore support that is available online.