Dulera is a prescription inhaler used for the maintenance treatment of asthma in individuals aged 5 years and older. It combines an inhaled corticosteroid (mometasone) and a long-acting beta agonist (formoterol) to help control symptoms and prevent wheezing. This medication works by reducing inflammation in the airways and relaxing the muscles around them, making breathing easier over time. Dulera is a daily maintenance medication and is not intended for the immediate relief of sudden breathing problems or asthma attacks. Understanding its medication capacity is important for effective asthma management.
Dulera Inhaler Capacity
A new Dulera inhaler typically contains 120 metered actuations, commonly referred to as puffs. This means the inhaler is designed to deliver 120 precise doses of medication. There is also a smaller version available, which contains 60 puffs. The number of puffs is consistent across all available strengths of Dulera, including 50 mcg/5 mcg, 100 mcg/5 mcg, and 200 mcg/5 mcg.
A metered actuation ensures a specific, measured amount of medication is released with each press of the inhaler. This precise delivery is achieved through a metering valve within the inhaler, which dispenses a consistent volume of the drug formulation. When the canister is pressed, the medication, suspended in a propellant, is aerosolized into a fine mist for inhalation. This design ensures that patients receive the intended dose with every use.
Tracking and Replacing Your Inhaler
Dulera inhalers are equipped with a built-in dose counter. This counter plays a role in managing your medication supply by displaying the number of remaining actuations. Each time a puff is released, the counter automatically decreases by one.
Monitor this dose counter regularly to avoid running out of medication. When the counter shows the number 20, it is time to order a refill or contact your healthcare provider. Once the counter reaches 0, the inhaler should be discarded, even if it may still feel like it contains medication or continues to operate. After the labeled number of actuations has been used, the inhaler may no longer deliver the correct amount of medicine.
Proper disposal of an empty Dulera inhaler is also important due to its contents. These inhalers contain propellants, hydrofluoroalkanes (HFCs), which are considered greenhouse gases and can contribute to environmental concerns. The canisters are also pressurized, posing a safety risk if punctured or exposed to high heat. To ensure safe and environmentally responsible disposal, it is recommended to utilize pharmacy take-back programs or community hazardous waste collection events. Contacting your local waste management facility can provide specific disposal instructions.