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How do dry powder inhalers work? — Dry powder inhalers release medicine when you take a deep breath in from the mouthpiece.
This article has instructions for how to use a dry powder inhaler. The instructions are different for other types of inhalers, such as metered dose inhalers or soft mist inhalers.
Are there different types of dry powder inhalers? — Yes. There are 2 main types of dry powder inhalers:
●Single-dose inhalers – These come with capsules of medicine. You need to put a capsule into the inhaler each time you use it. Tiotropium (brand name: Spiriva Handihaler) is an example of a single-dose inhaler.
●Multiple-dose inhalers – These come with all of the doses already in the inhaler. Examples of multiple-dose inhalers include mometasone (brand name: Asmanex Twisthaler), budesonide-formoterol (brand names: Breyna, Symbicort), and fluticasone furoate-vilanterol (brand name: Breo Ellipta).
The directions for the 2 types of dry powder inhalers are slightly different.
How do I use my dry powder inhaler? — Each dry powder inhaler comes with its own directions. Your doctor or nurse will show you how to use your inhaler.
In general, these are the steps for using a dry powder inhaler:
●Open the inhaler, or take off the cover.
●Load a dose of medicine:
•For single-dose inhalers, load a dose by taking a pill out of its packaging and putting the pill into the inhaler. Then, push 1 or more buttons on the inhaler to poke holes in the pill.
•For multiple-dose inhalers, load a dose by sliding a lever or twisting the bottom (or another part) of the inhaler.
●After loading a dose, hold your inhaler in the correct position – Some inhalers need to be held upright, but others need to be horizontal. Multiple-dose inhalers usually need to be horizontal. With some inhalers, the dose can be lost if the inhaler is tipped in the wrong position after loading.
●Breathe out normally, not into the inhaler.
●Put your mouth on the mouthpiece.
●Breathe in quickly and steadily, and as deeply as possible.
●Remove your mouth from the mouthpiece, and hold your breath for 5 to 10 seconds.
●Let your breath out, but not into the inhaler.
●If you are supposed to take 2 puffs of your inhaler, load another dose and breathe it in.
●Close your inhaler, or replace the cover or cap.
●Rinse your mouth out with water, gargle, and spit out the water.
●For single-dose inhalers, open the inhaler, take out the used pill, and throw it away. You can do this right away, or the next time that you take a dose.
●Store your inhaler in a cool, dry place.
Do I need to clean my inhaler? — No. Do not wash a dry powder inhaler with water or put it under water. If the mouthpiece gets dirty, wipe it with a dry cloth.
How do I know when my inhaler is empty?
●For single-dose inhalers, keep track of the number of capsules you have left. Make sure that you have an additional set of capsules ready before you run out.
●Multiple-dose dry powder inhalers come with a built-in dose counter. The counter keeps track of how many doses are left in your inhaler.
When the counter reads 0 (zero), throw out the inhaler because it has no more medicine in it. Make sure that you have another inhaler to use before the counter reads 0.
Patient education: Asthma in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use your metered dose inhaler (adults) (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use your soft mist inhaler (adults) (The Basics)
Patient education: Medicines for asthma (The Basics)
Patient education: Inhaled corticosteroid medicines (The Basics)
Patient education: COPD exacerbation (The Basics)
Patient education: Inhaler techniques in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Asthma treatment in adolescents and adults (Beyond the Basics)
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