Inhaled medication has to get into your lungs to work. Your health care provider will show you these steps to follow in using your inhaler:
- Remove the cap and shake the inhaler.
- Breathe out.
- Hold the inhaler as instructed.
- Breathe in slowly through your mouth as you press down on the inhaler.
- Keep breathing in slowly and deeply.
- Hold your breath for 10 seconds. Breathe out.
- Repeat as instructed.
Some people have trouble using an inhaler the right way. Your health care provider can give you a spacer (or holding chamber) or a nebulizer to make it easier for you to take your medication. A spacer or holding chamber attaches to your inhaler. It helps direct the medication into your lungs.
- Attach the spacer or holding chamber to your inhaler.
- Shake well.
- Press the inhaler button to release a puff of medicine into the spacer or holding chamber.
- Breathe out, and then breathe in slowly and deeply on the mouthpiece.
- Hold your breath for 10 seconds, and then breathe out.
- Repeat as instructed
