how to use a bronchodilator inhaler

Closed-Mouth Method
Follow these steps:
Remove the cap. Hold the inhaler upright.
Check to be sure the mouth piece is free of any foreign object (such as a coin).
Shake the inhaler.
Tilt your head back slightly. Breathe out slowly.
Place the inhaler in your mouth. Close your mouth.
Press down on the canister firmly as you start to breathe in slowly. (Press down until the medicine is released.)
Breathe in slowly for a count of 3 to 5seconds.
Hold your breath for a slow count to 10 (10 seconds).
If more puffs are prescribed, the ideal is to wait between doses.
For bronchodilators that are short-acting beta agonists, it is best to wait 3 to 5 minutes. These fast-acting inhalers begin to open your airways quickly. When you wait after your first dose, the next doses can go deeper into your lungs. See “How to Sequence Inhalers” .
For other inhalers, try to wait 1 minute between puffs.
Rinse and gargle with water after using any steroid inhaler (even when it’s combined with another medicine).

Spacer Method
Spacer devices offer several benefits. When you use a spacer, more medicine reaches your lungs, where you need it. Less medicine is deposited on your tongue and the back of your mouth. Side effects also are fewer and milder. For example, you will have less hoarseness and fewer mouth and throat reactions. If it’s hard for you to compress the canister and inhale at the same time, your medicine dose may be more effective when you use a spacer.

There are several types of spacers available. It’s important that you follow the instructions on the package insert for your particular spacer. Follow these steps:

Remove the caps. Check to be sure the inhaler and spacer are free of any foreign object (such as a coin).
Attach the inhaler to the spacer.
Shake well.
Tilt your head back slightly. Sit upright, and breathe out normally.
Place the mouth piece into your mouth. Close your lips around it.
Press down on the canister firmly until the medicine is released. This will put 1 puff of the medicine into the spacer.
Breathe in slowly for a count of 3 to 5seconds. Many spacers whistle if you inhale too fast.
Hold your breath for a slow count to 10 (10 seconds).
Remove the spacer from your mouth, and then breathe out slowly.
If more puffs are prescribed, the ideal is to wait between doses. This will make the medicine more effective.
For bronchodilators that are short-acting beta agonists, it is best to 3 to 5 minutes. These fast-acting inhalers begin to open your airways quickly. When you wait after your first dose, the next doses can go deeper into your lungs. See “How to Sequence Inhalers".
For other inhalers, try to wait 1 minute between puffs.
Rinse and gargle with water after using any steroid inhaler (even when it’s combined with another medicine).
Note: If you carry your inhaler and spacer in your purse or pocket, make sure the caps stay secured. If the cap comes off, be sure that the inhaler and spacer are free of foreign objects (such as a coin) before use.

Open-Mouth Method
Follow these steps:
Remove the cap. Hold the inhaler upright.
Check to be sure the mouth piece is free of any foreign object (such as a coin).
Shake the inhaler.
Tilt your head back slightly. Breathe out slowly.
Place the inhaler 1 to 2 inches in front of your open mouth (the width of 2 fingers).
Press down on the canister firmly as you start to breathe in slowly. (Press down until the medicine is released.)
Breathe in slowly for a count of 3 to 5 seconds.
Hold your breath for a slow count to 10 (10 seconds).
If more puffs are prescribed, the ideal is to wait between doses. This will make the medicine more effective.
For bronchodilators that are short-acting beta agonists, it is best to wait 10 minutes between doses. But you may find it more practical to wait 3 to 5 minutes. These fast-acting inhalers begin to open your airways quickly. When you wait after your first dose, the next doses can go deeper into your lungs. See “How to Sequence Inhalers”.
For other inhalers, try to wait 1 minute between puffs.
Rinse and gargle with water after using any steroid inhaler (even when it’s combined with another medicine).
Note: If you carry your inhaler in a purse or pocket, make sure the cap stays secured. If the cap comes off, be sure to check the mouth piece for foreign objects (such as a coin) before you use the inhaler.