Ventolin Inhaler clogged/not spraying correctly

United States
August 12, 2011 8:27am CST
A newer inhaler I have has gotten to where if you spray it comes out half or worse in volume and intensity. It's literally over half full and I can't get a million new ones when I get them filled. Does anyone know why this happens? Is it a clog that I can maybe unclog? Its stored the same way as all my others but I'll get one that does this off and on and I am too asthmatic to run into a dud inhaler when I need one. Any ideas? I've tried taking out the medicine part and putting it back into the holder, but nothing improved.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Nadinest1 (2016)
• Canada
13 Aug 11
I would suggest taking it back to the pharmacist and ask his opinion about it. Maybe there is something wrong and he will replace it. medication is too extensive today. Good luck.
2 people like this
• United States
21 Sep 11
they dont seem to clog until ive had it too long to take back so they do work at first and i dont know what happens.. god knows my asthmas too bad to have them NOT used
@tessah (6617)
• United States
12 Aug 11
try running the spray nozzle under hot water to see if it clears the clog the same way ya would with hairspray. if this doesnt do the trick.. call yer doc and tell em whats goin on.. maybe theres a new holder that doesnt clog as much..?
2 people like this
• United States
21 Sep 11
seems like this is the only one they will prescribe but when it works it does great on my asthma.. im going to try what you suggested
@peavey (16936)
• United States
12 Aug 11
If you can't get it to work right, maybe you should take it back and see if you can get another one. If this happens regularly with the brand, ask your doctor if there's something else you can use.
2 people like this
• United States
21 Sep 11
it only happens after ive had it too long to take it back =( my doc wont switch me and honestly when this one works its the most effective one i have had as far as relief.. key word "when" lol
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
22 Aug 11
Have you tried taking the medicine part out...and then rinsing off the dispenser. I've had to do that where the hole gets clogged and rinsing it or using a pin to unclog it makes it work alot better.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Sep 11
I took out the medicine container and it didnt seem to look clogged but maybe ill soak the holder and see if that works
@francesca5 (1344)
12 Aug 11
i once had a cfc free inhaler that had that problem, it would clog up after a while. and i had wash the plastic case, around the area where the spray came out, that solved the problem, but it never worked very well. i know i don't need to say this, but make sure you sure you take the bit inside the case out before you wash it. i know you will know that, but i feel i have to say it. in the end the doctors changed back to the ones with cfc in, this is in the uk, i would try that and if that doesn't work take it back, and complain.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Sep 11
i cant get the "environment unfriendly" kind anymore so its ventalin or nothing grr.. lol dont you hate it when you feel you have to say something even though you know its not needed? like when you tell a person to not tell anyone the secret but you know they never would but still feel you have to say it lol
21 Sep 11
yes, i do hate saying something i feel sure someone knows already. anyway, you obviously sorted out your ventolin inhaler problem successfully!