What is the weight of a 90 mcg actuation albuterol inhaler in grams?

Weight of a 90 mcg Actuation Albuterol Inhaler

The standard albuterol metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with 90 mcg per actuation typically weighs approximately 15-17 grams when full, containing 200 actuations.

Albuterol MDI Specifications

The albuterol MDI with 90 mcg per actuation is commonly used for asthma management and has the following characteristics:

• Delivers 90 mcg of albuterol per puff/actuation 1
• Contains 200 total actuations when full 2
• Features an integrated dose counter in modern versions to track remaining doses 3, 2

Weight Components

The weight of an albuterol inhaler consists of:

• The canister containing the medication and propellant
• The plastic actuator/mouthpiece
• The protective cap

Clinical Usage Context

For proper clinical usage:

• Adult dosing: 4-8 puffs every 20 minutes for up to 4 hours, then every 1-4 hours as needed 1
• Child dosing: 4-8 puffs every 20 minutes for 3 doses, then every 1-4 hours as needed 1, 4
• A spacer or valved holding chamber should be used when administering to children 4

Important Considerations

Dose Counter Reliability

Modern albuterol MDIs include integrated dose counters that:

• Function with high reliability (discrepancy rate of only 0.76% in clinical settings) 2
• Help prevent patients from running out of medication unexpectedly 2
• Show high patient satisfaction rates (92% of patients report satisfaction with dose counters) 2

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not rely on canister weight alone: Studies show mean expected actuations based on canister weights (184) were slightly lower than actual available doses (200) 2
• Do not continue using after the labeled number of actuations: The amount of medication per actuation may be inconsistent after the labeled number of doses has been used
• Do not shake insufficiently before use: Proper shaking ensures consistent medication delivery per actuation

The integrated dose counter is the most reliable method to track remaining medication, as 62% of patients reported anxiety about not knowing the quantity of medication remaining in their inhaler before using devices with counters 2.