title: Stop using the flotation technique and start weighing salbutamol pressurised metered-dose inhalers without dose counters.
abstract: Salbutamol pressurised metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) are not equipped with dose counters outside the USA. The aim of this study was to describe a simple reproducible method for determining the number of doses remaining in a pMDI based on scale weight. With a laboratory scale, the mean weight of the canisters was 28.61 ± 0.10 g after priming and 14.84 ± 0.23 g after 200 puffs. Similar results were obtained with two common digital scales. We recommend weighing salbutamol canisters on a common digital scale, and replacing an old pMDI with a new one when the weight falls to ≤15 g.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Ermindo R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Di Paolo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stéphanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spaggiari
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pannatier
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Farshid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sadeghipour
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rochat
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Gaudenz M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Hafen
mesh_terms: D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D014894:Weights and Measures
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000420:Albuterol