Inhalers are a good way to take asthma medicines. There are very few side effects, because the medicine goes directly to the lungs and not to other parts of the body. There are many asthma medications available as inhalers.

There are two types of inhalers available, metered dose inhalers (MDI) and dry powder inhalers (DPI). The inhalers are used differently; therefore, ask your health care professional to show you how to use and care for your inhaler correctly.

USING THE METERED DOSE INHALER (MDI)

• Remove the cap
• Hold the inhaler upright
• Shake the inhaler
• Tilt your head back slightly
• Breathe out
• Use the inhaler in any one of these ways:
• Connect a spacer to the inhaler and place spacer in mouth
• Open mouth and hold the inhaler one to two inches away
• Place inhaler in the mouth
• Press down on the inhaler once to release the medicine as you start to breathe in slowly (not before or after)
• Breathe through your mouth slowly for three to five seconds
• Hold your breath for 10 seconds to allow the medicine to go deeply into your lungs
• Repeat puffs as prescribed, but wait one minute between puffs

• Load the dose according to the directions included with your medication
• Breathe out
• Place the mouthpiece between your lips
• Inhale deeply and forcefully through your mouth
• Hold your breath for 10 seconds
• Breathe out slowly
• Repeat steps if more than one dose is required; however, wait one minute between puffs
• Do not blow or exhale into the inhaler
• Do not shake the inhaler after loading it

• Rinse your mouth after using steroid inhalers
• Keep medication away from your eyes
• Use only as prescribed by your physician
• Carefully read and follow all directions included with your inhaler