- Remove the cover of the mouthpiece and check for any loose objects in the mouthpiece.
|
- Prime your inhaler if this is the first time you are using it, if you have not used it for several days, or if you have dropped it. Priming an MDI usually involves shaking it and spraying it into the air (away from your face) up to four times. See the information that came with your inhaler for exact instructions.
|
- Check the number of doses remaining in the MDI.
|
- Sit or stand up straight with the chin tilted up and neck slightly extended.
|
- Shake MDI canister vigorously for five seconds.
|
- Hold the MDI upright with your index finger on the top of the canister and your thumb supporting the bottom of the inhaler.
|
- Breathe out normally as much as is comfortable. Do not breath out into the device.
|
- Put the mouthpiece between your teeth and close your lips around mouthpiece or position mouthpiece about 4 cm (about the width of two fingers) from your mouth.
|
- Keep your tongue away from the opening of the mouthpiece.
|
- Press down the top of the canister with the index finger to release the medicine.
|
- At the same time as the canister is pressed, breathe in deeply and slowly through your mouth until your lungs are completely full. This should take three to five seconds.
|
- Hold the medicine in your lungs for as long as comfortable (about 5 to 10 seconds).
|
- Remove the inhaler from your mouth and exhale normally. into the room away from the inhaler.
|
- If you need a second puff, wait about 15 to 30 seconds between puffs. Shake the canister again before the next puff. Put the mouthpiece in you mouth and repeat the steps listed above.
|
- When finished, put the mouthpiece cover back on.
|
- If your inhaler contains a steroid medicine (sometimes called a "glucocorticoid" or "corticosteroid"), rinse your mouth and gargle with water after you use it. Then spit out the water. Do not swallow it.
|
