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
- Remove cap from inhaler
- Shake the inhaler for a few seconds
- Place your index finger on the top of the canister and thumb on the bottom of the mouthpiece
- Tilt your head back slightly and breathe out
- Put your lips around the mouth of inhaler and seal your lips
- Breathe in and out slowly through your mouth one time
- Press down on the inhaler as you breathe in slowly and deeply- about 3 to 5 seconds, and remove inhaler from mouth
- Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds then slowly exhale
- If instructed by doctor, wait 1 minute and repeat steps 2 through 8
- Replace the cap on the inhaler
- Rinse mouth, gargle, and spit with water (for corticosteroid inhalers)
Metered Dose Inhaler with Spacer
- Remove the cap from the inhaler
- Shake the inhaler for a few seconds
- Put inhaler into the open end of the spacer
- Breathe out completely
- Put your lips around the mouth of spacer and seal your lips
- Press the canister one time
- Breathe in slowly through your mouth for 3-5 seconds and remove the spacer from mouth
- Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds then slowly breathe out
- If you need 2 puffs, wait 1 minute and repeat steps 3-8
- Remove the inhaler from the spacer and replace the caps on the inhaler and spacer
How to Care for the Inhaler and Spacer
- Use a dry cloth to wipe away powder or residue from inhaler
- Clean once a week or more if needed
- Remove the soft ring at the end of the spacer
- Rinse the ring and spacer in warm water
- Let the ring and spacer air dry
- Do not store your inhaler near heat or an open flame
- Slide the lever away from you until you hear a click
- Keep the diskus flat
- Turn your head and blow out as much air as you can
- Put the inhaler up to your mouth, your lips around the opening
- Using your mouth, breathe in once, very deep and fast
- Take your mouth off the inhaler and hold your breath for at least 10 seconds. Slowly breathe out
- Repeat steps 2-7 if you need to take 2 puffs
- Close the diskus
- Rinse mouth with water and spit