2009 H1N1 FLU INFORMATION: NEW non-essential visitor policy information to help us protect our patients. Read »

Home : Parents & Patients : Programs & Services : Asthma : Education : Medication Administration Technique : Correct Use of Metered-Dose Inhaler

Correct Use of Metered-Dose Inhaler

Print this Page

Email this Page

Remove the cap and hold inhaler upright.

Shake the inhaler.

Tilt your head back slightly and breathe out slowly.

Position the inhaler 1 to 2 inches away from mouth with mouth open.

Press down on the inhaler to release puff of medication as you start to breathe in slowly.

Breathe in slowly (3 to 5 seconds).

Hold your breath for 10 seconds to allow the medicine to reach deeply into your lungs.

Repeat puffs as directed. Waiting 1 minute between puffs helps the second puff to get farther into the lungs.

Avoid common inhaler mistakes.
Follow these inhaler tips:

Breathe out before pressing your inhaler.
Inhale slowly.
Breathe in through your mouth, not your nose.
Press down on your inhaler at the start of inhalation (or within the first second of inhalation).
Keep inhaling as you press down on inhaler.
Press your inhaler only once while you are inhaling (one breath for each puff).
Make sure you breathe in evenly and deeply.

[Keywords: Metered-Dose Inhaler, asthma]

Web Design: NetMediaOne