Lots of people ask this question about how to use an inhaler. There are lots of instructional material on the internet, some of it is okay, while other stuff is just plain stupid. The funniest thing I ever heard was when a patient told me how he had used an entire inhaler up in 5 days. I was shocked, because that meant he actuated his inhaler about 40 times per day. I asked him what the deal was. He responded by saying his doctor's office told him to take the inhaler 4 times an hour for 3 days and then 2 times an hour after that.
I thought that was a little excessive to say the least. I took a look at his prescription which read "take 4 times a day for 3 days, then 2 times until inhaler is empty".
Well, the first instructional step for how to use an inhaler would be to read the prescription correctly. Make sure you understand what your dosing is. Know the number of puffs and the number of times per day you are to administer the inhaler.
Okay, now you want to get a spacer device. They are sold at pharmacies and other health care stores. The durable medical equipment (DME) company that supplies your home oxygen, nebulizer, and other home health equipment may even have one. Also, you can ask your doctor's office if they have one. If you just can't get one, then that is okay. You can still use an inhaler, you just have to be a little more careful.
So if you don't have a spacer, then follow these steps on how to use an inhaler properly.
1. Shake inhaler vigorously. Prime if necessary (see earlier blogpost)
2. Place inhaler in mouth with teeth on mouthpiece and tongue dropped down out of the way. Wrap your lips around mouthpiece and exhale normally through your nose.
3. Breathe in at a slightly faster than normal pace and press the inhaler with your fingers to dose the medication. Continue to inhale completely and deeply. Don't inhale too fast as this will cause the medicine to impact on the back of your throat, rather than getting into your lungs. I always tell my patients that if you can taste the bitterness of the medicine, then you probably need a refresher on how to use an inhaler correctly.
4. Hold your breath for roughly 10 seconds or as long as you comfortably can before breathing out.
5. Wait at least 60 seconds before repeating these steps.
6. If you are using an inhaler steroid then you must rinse out your mouth when you are done. The last thing you need is a raging case of thrush.
I wrote a blogpost about this earlier, but did not mention how to use an inhaler if you didn't have a spacer, so I wanted to get this out there for anyone who might be curious. Remember, you must know how to use an inhaler if you are going to receive any kind of benefit from the medicine. The last thing you want to do is waste your money and waste your inhaler.
