 |
Tips on avoiding common
mistakes when using inhalers
Metered does inhalers (MDIs), or rescue
inhalers, are an important part of preventing and treating asthma
attacks. But the inhalers must be used, stored and replaced properly
to be effective. Check with your health care provider for the
step-by-step technique. Here are general suggestions to help
avoid making common mistakes.
Getting ready
- Stand, and be sure the head is held
horizontally or tilted slightly back. Relax the shoulders.
- Always shake the inhaler before
each inhalation to ensure adequate mixing of the medication.
Breathing in
- Don't "grasp" air in quickly.
This deposits medication in the back of the throat. Instead,
inhale slowly for three to five seconds for better airway distribution.
- Breathe in only through the mouth,
not the nose.
- Inhale completely before holding
your breath. Don't shut your mouth to "trap" the medication.
- Avoid pulling the inhaler out of
the mouth during inhalation.
Coordinating everything
- The firing of the canister should
take place at the start of inhalation. If it's done too early,
the medication escapes through the mouth or canister holder.
If fired too late, you won't receive a full inhalation of medication
into the lungs.
- A spacer can help children who have
trouble coordinating the release of medication from their inhaler
with their breathing.
- Press the inhaler once per inhalation.
(When two puffs are prescribed, this means two individual sprays.)
Care and cleaning
- For traditional press-and-breathe
inhalers, remove the canister from the plastic holder and rinse
the holder thoroughly with warm water. This prevents clogging
of the mouthpiece.
- Allow the holder to dry overnight.
The next morning, place the canister back in the plastic holder
and replace the cap. Clean the plastic holder about once a week.
- Never drop the medication canister
in water. A wet valve can clog the mechanism.
- Store the canister with the nozzle
end down. Protect it from freezing temperatures and direct sunlight.
Replacing/refilling controller or
maintenance medication
Tracking inhaler use is the only accurate way to know how many
doses are available.
- Divide the number of doses available
in the canister by the number of puffs per day. This determines
the number of days of medicine in the canister. (Different medicines
will have a different number of puffs per canister.)
- Write that date on the canister
with a permanent marker, and circle it on the calendar as a reminder
to refill the medicine. (Use a check mark on a sheet of paper
- or a dose counter device - to track the number of puffs.)
- Once the inhaler has actuated the
number of puffs, it must be thrown away - even if it still sprays.
- Don't use inhalers past their expiration
date.
- Never float the inhaler in water.
In the past, this technique was recommended to check if the canister
was empty; however, it is not reliable and can cause the device
to become clogged.
Contact your pediatrician with questions
on use, cleaning, or storage.
-Allison Lehmann
2005 American Academy of Pediatrics |
