Inhaler Storage: How to Keep Your Inhaler Safe, Effective, and Ready to Use

When you rely on an inhaler, a handheld device that delivers medication directly to the lungs for conditions like asthma or COPD. Also known as a puffer, it’s not just a tool—it’s your lifeline during a flare-up. But if you store it wrong, it might not work when you need it most. Heat, cold, moisture, and even how you hold it can ruin the dose. You wouldn’t leave insulin in the sun—why treat your inhaler any differently?

Many people keep their inhalers in the bathroom, in a hot car, or stuffed in a purse with keys and loose change. These habits are common—but dangerous. The propellant inside can break down under extreme temperatures, and moisture can clog the nozzle. A study from the American Thoracic Society, a leading organization in respiratory health research found that inhalers stored above 77°F lost up to 20% of their potency in just six weeks. That’s not a small drop—it’s the difference between breathing easy and struggling for air. Even the FDA, the U.S. agency that regulates drug safety and labeling warns that improper storage can lead to underdosing, which increases emergency visits.

Where should you keep it? Inside your home, in a cool, dry place—like a bedroom drawer or a medicine cabinet away from the sink. Don’t refrigerate it unless the label says to. Never leave it in a car on a summer day. If you travel, carry it with you, not in checked luggage. And always check the expiration date. An expired inhaler isn’t just weak—it might not spray at all. Cleaning the mouthpiece weekly with warm water and letting it air dry prevents buildup that blocks the dose. These aren’t optional tips. They’re basic maintenance, just like changing a car’s oil.

People with asthma or COPD often have multiple inhalers: one for daily control, another for emergencies. Mixing them up is easy. Label each clearly. Store them separately if you can. If you use a spacer, keep it with the inhaler—it’s part of the system. And never share your inhaler. Even if it looks clean, you’re risking infection and incorrect dosing.

Below, you’ll find real-world advice from people who’ve been there: how to handle inhalers during travel, what to do if one gets wet, how to tell if it’s empty, and why some meds need special care. These aren’t theory pages. They’re fixes for real problems—like the time someone’s inhaler froze in their coat pocket, or the parent who didn’t realize their child’s inhaler had been sitting in a hot car for weeks. You’ll find practical, no-fluff answers that help you stay in control—no matter where you are.