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Metered Dose InhalerAka: MDI proper use, Asthma Inhaler Education

See Also
1. Spacer Devices for Asthma Inhalers
Technique: Aerosol or HFA Inhaler (e.g. Albuterol MDI)
1. Preparation
  1. Uncap inhaler
  2. Prime once before first use
  3. Attach Inhaler Spacer
2. Take a deep breath and then expire all air out
3. Place inhaler with spacer to lips
4. Start to breath in while pressing the inhaler to release medication
5. Inhale deeply and then hold breath for 10 seconds
Technique: Dry powder inhaler (e.g. Advair, Flovent Diskus, Serevent, Asmanex, Spiriva)
1. Precautions
  1. Never take the powders orally (and keep separate from oral medications)!
2. Preparation
  1. Uncap the device
  2. Load the powder caps or other formulation as directed
  3. No Inhaler Spacer is needed
3. Take a deep breath and then expire all air out
  1. Avoid exhaling on device (prevents wetting the powder)
4. Place inhaler with spacer to lips, holding it in level position
5. Start to breath in while pressing the inhaler to release medication
6. Inhale deeply and then hold breath for 10 seconds

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This page was written by Scott Moses, MD. This page was last revised on 5/2/2008 10:33:05 AM. This page was last published on 6/1/2008. Please send comments and questions to the editor. Contact information may be found on the page About the Family Practice Notebook. These pages are best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0.