Patient Info > Tips on Technique: Do’s and Don’ts
Did you know that even after using inhalers for many years, a lot of patients do not have proper inhaler technique? Using an inhaler properly is important to ensuring enough medicine is delivered to your lungs. Here are a few DO's and DON'Ts of inhaler technique:
- DO talk with your healthcare provider and read the instructions on use that come with your HFA inhaler. Each type of HFA inhaler is slightly different to use, so it's important that you know just how to use whichever inhaler your healthcare provider has prescribed for you.
- DO practice your inhaler technique in front of a mirror when you aren't experiencing any symptoms. Ask your healthcare provider to give you a placebo inhaler (one without medicine in it) that you can use for practicing your technique.
- DO ask your healthcare provider to watch you demonstrate your inhaler technique; he or she can spot any mistakes you might be making and can help you correct them.
- DON'T wait until you are experiencing symptoms to learn how to use your rescue inhaler! You need to be able to use it correctly when you need it.
- DO remember to EXHALE (breathe out) before you use your HFA inhaler. This helps you take as deep a breath and get as much medicine into your lungs as possible.
- DO hold your breath for as long as possible, up to 10 seconds, after inhaling your medicine.
- DON'T shake your canister or float it in water to see how much medicine is left in your inhaler. Shaking it doesn't tell you how much medicine is left, and floating it in water will ruin it. Talk with your doctor about how to know when you need to replace your rescue inhaler.
- DO wait 1 full minute between puffs if your doctor has prescribed more than 1 puff for you. This allows your body enough time to absorb all of the medicine from the first puff.
- DON'T take more puffs from your inhaler than your doctor has prescribed. Talk with him or her if you feel you aren't getting enough relief from your HFA rescue inhaler.
- DO read the instructions that come with your HFA inhaler. There are 4 types of HFA inhalers, and each one has unique instructions for priming, cleaning, and using it.
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