The type of inhaler you use can make a difference in how well it works. Proper inhaler device technique is important to help you breathe in the medicine and get it to your lungs where it helps the most.
Pressurized metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) come with a small canister of medication and a mouthpiece. You can also use a spacer with MDIs to make breathing in easier.
1. Breathe In Slowly and Deeply
Breathing too fast can cause the inhaler to make a whistling sound, and it won’t allow all of the medicine to reach your lungs. After you take each breath, hold your breath for about 10 seconds before breathing out again. If you’re using a dry powder inhaler (DPI), check with your doctor for specific instructions on how to use it. They may recommend that you lift your chin while inhaling to help the medicine go down into your lungs more effectively. You can also watch our inhaler technique videos to learn more about how to breathe correctly with an MDI or a DPI.
If it’s your first time using round inhaler for asthma, you should practice with your doctor before taking it at home.
2. Put the Mouthpiece in Your Mouth
The mouthpiece should fit just past the teeth and above the tongue. Close your lips around it. If you have a spacer, insert it into your inhaler before you put the mouthpiece in your mouth. Spacers are a useful tool for people who have trouble using their MDI, but it’s important to follow the instructions that came with your inhaler regarding when and how to use them.
Pressurized metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) are the traditional type of asthma inhaler. They have a small canister of medicine and a plastic body with a mouthpiece. When you push on the canister, it sprays a mist of medication that you then breathe in. Some MDIs come with a spacer, which helps the medication reach your airways and prevent the medication from irritating your throat.
HFAs, or high-flying inhalers, are similar to MDIs but work differently. They use a smaller, handheld aerosol canister and have a mouthpiece that pulls the medicine into your lungs. Some HFAs have a built-in spacer, while others need to be attached to a separate one for proper use.
Once you have a properly cleaned inhaler, you’ll want to ensure the mouthpiece is warm enough to fit in your mouth. Run cold water over the mouthpiece, then submerge it in a bowl of cool water for 2 seconds. The mouthpiece should feel comfortably warm, but not hot enough to burn your lips or throat.
If you have a Diskus dry powder inhaler, open the clear base by pushing the thumb grip back as far as it will go until you hear a click and see a visible mist. You may also need to prime your inhaler if it hasn’t been used in a while. Read the instructions that came with your inhaler for details about how to do this.
3. Close Your Mouth Around the Mouthpiece
The most common mistake made with new inhalers is closing the mouth too tightly around the mouthpiece. This can prevent the powder from reaching the lungs and can cause moisture in the breath to clump up on the mouthpiece and clog it.
When you close your mouth, it should feel like you are making the vowel sounds Eeee or Oooo with your lips. Keeping the chin flat is also important to help the medicine get to the lungs more effectively.
A good way to practice getting a tight seal is to breathe in and out through the spacer. If you hear a whistling sound, it means the medication did not reach your lungs. Repeat the steps and try again.
Often patients use their inhalers incorrectly because they do not fully understand how to use them. This is why it is so important for respiratory therapists and other health care professionals to provide patients with hands-on education.
It is also a good idea to post the summary chart included in this newsletter as a reminder of the proper technique for using Purple round asthma inhaler and other dry powder inhalers. The chart supplements and reinforces the instructions provided by the inhaler manufacturers.
4. Press the Canister on the Inhaler
Most people who have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) use inhaled medicines to manage their symptoms. Inhalers deliver the medicine into the lungs with a puff of air from a small canister, so they work like spray cans. You can get a lot more medicine from an inhaler by using it properly and with a spacer.
Pressurized metered dose inhalers, or MDIs, have been around for decades and come in many different forms and brands. These inhalers have a canister of medication that is fitted into a plastic body and has a mouthpiece at the top. Each dose of the medicine is delivered when you press the canister, which causes the air to be compressed and a puff of medication is released. MDIs are quick and easy to use, but require good coordination to press the inhaler and breathe in at the same time. Some people find this difficult, especially children, so a spacer can make MDIs easier to use.
You can also use a dry powder inhaler, or DPI, which delivers the medicine through a small, handheld puffer. Some doctors may prescribe DPIs for adults, children and infants with breathing problems. Green Inhaler are easy to use, but the medication is stored in a canister and needs to be shaken before each use. A DPI can be used with a spacer, but some people find that the inhaler does not give them enough medication to help with their symptoms.
To use an MDI with a spacer, open the clear base of the inhaler and turn it in the direction of the arrows on the label until it clicks. Then push the hinged cap upward on the small, circular opening tab until it snaps open. Sit or stand up, and tilt your head back slightly. Breathe out slowly and deeply, away from the inhaler.
5. Breathe Out Slowly and Away From the Inhaler
During inhalation, the air we breathe out needs to be as slow and steady as possible. If you’re breathing out too quickly, the medicine may stick in your mouth or throat instead of being carried down into the lungs to do its work. Lifting your chin can help the medicine get down into your lungs more easily. You can learn more about how to do this in our inhaler technique videos.
Newer inhalers, known as high flow inhalers (HFAs), release the drug through a tube-like gadget called a spacer. These are often used with children or by adults who have trouble using MDIs.
When using HFAs, the first step is to open the device by holding the outer case in one hand and putting the thumb of your other hand on the thumb grip. Slide the lever downward, toward the bottom of the inhaler, until you hear and/or feel a click. The inhaler is now ready to use.
Before using the inhaler, you should gently shake it and suck in some air through your mouth to clear your mouth and throat. You should also be careful to keep your hands away from the inhaler.
If you have a newer type of inhaler, read the instructions and practice before you try to use it. If you have any questions, ask your GP or asthma nurse. It can help to keep a list of your medicines and inhaler with you so that you know their names and colours, especially if you have more than one inhaler. You should also keep a copy of any written instructions for each inhaler, as these are important to follow.
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