How to Use An Inhaler
Chris Woolston
Metered-dose inhalers:
- To prepare a metered-dose inhaler, place the canister, bottom up, in the plastic holder, then remove the cap from the inhaler. It's important to shake the canister before each dose. Doctors recommend using a spacer, a tube that carries medicine from the inhaler directly to the mouth. A spacer lets patients breathe at their own pace and helps deliver the medicine deep into the airways. Spacers are especially helpful for young children and people taking corticosteroids.
- If you're using a spacer, attach the spacer to the inhaler.
- Tilt your head back slightly and slowly breathe out.
- Put one hand around the spacer and one hand on the inhaler, and place your mouth firmly around the end of the spacer. If you're not using a spacer, hold the inhaler 1 to 2 inches away from your open mouth. If you have trouble with either of these methods, it is usually all right to put the end of the inhaler directly in your mouth -- but do not use this method if you are taking corticosteroids.
- Press down on the inhaler to release the medicine into the spacer, then start breathing in slowly for three to five seconds.
- Hold your breath for 10 seconds so the medicine has time to get into your lungs.
- If you need another dose, wait for one minute before repeating the steps.
- If you're using a corticosteroid, rinse your mouth out after each use; this will help lessen your risk of developing thrush or other throat infections. Be sure not to swallow the water, since that could increase the risk of side effects.
Dry-powder inhaler:
• Put your mouth around the mouthpiece tightly and inhale quickly and deeply.
-- Chris Woolston, M.S., is a health and medical writer with a master's degree in biology. Based in Billings, Montana, he is a former staff writer for Hippocrates and has written for Time Inc. Health, WebMD, and the Chronicle of Higher Education biology; he is also co-author of Generation Extra Large: Rescuing Our Children from the Obesity Epidemic (Perseus, 2004). He has received a northern California Society of Professional Journalists award for his reporting on occupational health.
