Albuterol Inhaler Storage: Do Not Refrigerate
You should not store albuterol metered-dose inhalers in the refrigerator—they must be kept at room temperature between 2°C and 25°C (36°F and 77°F), and refrigeration can fall below this range and potentially affect drug delivery. 1
Storage Requirements
The FDA-approved labeling for albuterol inhalation solution explicitly states storage between 2°C and 25°C (36°F and 77°F) 1. While this technically includes the lower end of refrigerator temperatures, standard refrigerators typically operate at 1-4°C, which can drop below the recommended minimum.
Why Temperature Matters
Research demonstrates that temperature at the time of actuation significantly affects drug delivery characteristics 2. When albuterol MDIs are tested at temperatures outside recommended conditions:
- Lower temperatures (4°C) decrease particle size, dose per actuation, and shot weight
- Higher temperatures conversely increase respirable mass but decrease non-respirable mass
- These changes occur even when the inhaler was stored properly but actuated at extreme temperatures 2
Key Clinical Point
The critical distinction is between storage temperature and actuation temperature. While one study showed that MDIs exposed to extreme environmental temperatures (including heat extremes in vehicle trunks) maintained acceptable drug delivery when tested at room temperature 2, the performance changes when the inhaler is actually used at cold temperatures.
Practical Recommendation
- Store at room temperature (ideally 15-25°C/59-77°F)
- Keep away from extreme heat (avoid car trunks, direct sunlight)
- Protect from light as specified in labeling 1
- If accidentally refrigerated, allow the inhaler to warm to room temperature before use
- Never use an inhaler that has been frozen
Common Pitfall
Patients sometimes refrigerate inhalers thinking it will preserve the medication longer or because they store other medications in the refrigerator. This is unnecessary and potentially problematic for optimal drug delivery.