If you are an asthma patient or if you know someone who is asthmatic, it is important to understand how to use inhaler. It depends on type of inhaler -metered dose or dry powder inhaler.

For a Metered-Dose Inhaler (MDI): the press-and-breathe type.

1. Remove the cap and shake the inhaler well.
2. Breathe out fully (empty your lungs)
3. Place mouthpiece between lips (seal tightly)
4. Press once and breathe slowly and deeply.
5. Hold your breath for 10 seconds (or if you are comfortable)
6. Breathe out slowly.
7. If a second puff is needed, wait 30–60 seconds and repeat.
8. Rinse mouth after using a steroid (controller) inhaler.

If recommended or prescribed, using a spacer improves medicine delivery and reduces side effects.

For a Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI): no pressing required

1. Load the dose as instructed.
2. Breathe away from the inhaler.
3. Seal lips around mouthpiece.
4. Breathe quickly and deeply.
5. Hold breath for 10 seconds.
6. Breathe out slowly.
7. Rinse mouth if it contains steroids.

Image credit: Image by Cnordic  CNordic from Pixabay (Free to use under pixabay content license, Published on December 10, 2024)