Inhalers Q & A

Asthma Inhalers

Asthma inhalers are devices that help adults and children control their asthma symptoms. These small hand-held devices deliver medication to your lungs.

Metered Dose Inhaler

1. Remove cap from inhaler
2. Shake the inhaler for a few seconds
3. Place your index finger on the top of the canister and thumb on the bottom of the mouthpiece
4. Tilt your head back slightly and breathe out
5. Put your lips around the mouth of inhaler and seal your lips
6. Breathe in and out slowly through your mouth one time
7. Press down on the inhaler as you breathe in slowly and deeply- about 3 to 5 seconds, and remove inhaler from mouth
8. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds then slowly exhale
9. If instructed by doctor, wait 1 minute and repeat steps 2 through 8
10. Replace the cap on the inhaler
11. Rinse mouth, gargle, and spit with water (for corticosteroid inhalers)

Metered Dose Inhaler with Spacer

1. Remove the cap from the inhaler
2. Shake the inhaler for a few seconds
3. Put inhaler into the open end of the spacer
4. Breathe out completely
5. Put your lips around the mouth of spacer and seal your lips
6. Press the canister one time
7. Breathe in slowly through your mouth for 3-5 seconds and remove the spacer from mouth
8. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds then slowly breathe out
9. If you need 2 puffs, wait 1 minute and repeat steps 3-8
10. Remove the inhaler from the spacer and replace the caps on the inhaler and spacer

How to Care for the Inhaler and Spacer

1. Use a dry cloth to wipe away powder or residue from inhaler
2. Clean once a week or more if needed
3. Remove the soft ring at the end of the spacer
4. Rinse the ring and spacer in warm water
5. Let the ring and spacer air dry
6. Do not store your inhaler near heat or an open flame
7. Slide the lever away from you until you hear a click
8. Keep the diskus flat
9. Turn your head and blow out as much air as you can
10. Put the inhaler up to your mouth, your lips around the opening
11. Using your mouth, breathe in once, very deep and fast
12. Take your mouth off the inhaler and hold your breath for at least 10 seconds. Slowly breathe out
13. Repeat steps 2-7 if you need to take 2 puffs
14. Close the diskus
15. Rinse mouth with water and spit