Inhalers are the most effective way to get lifesaving medications to people with asthma and other lung diseases. Whether you have asthma or care for someone who does, here’s what you need to know about inhalers, including how to use one correctly. What Is an Asthma Inhaler? Bronchodilator asthma inhalers are either short- or long-acting. They widen your airways to ease symptoms like wheezing , shortness of breath, and coughing . They include: Can be fully disassembled for easy sterilisation using an autoclave and cleaned either by hand or dishwasher (100 times Autoclavable) Cross Valve Technology™ ensures very low resistance during inhalation and also allows easy exhalation through the chamber A valved holding chamber is a type of spacer that includes a one-way valve at the mouthpiece. This device does more than provide "space" between your mouth and the medicine. It also traps and holds your medicine, which gives you time to take a slow, deep breath. This allows you to breathe in all of the medicine.

You should replace your spacer at least every year, especially if you use it daily, but some may need to be replaced sooner – ask your GP, asthma nurse or pharmacist if you’re unsure. American College of Chest Physicians: "Using Your MDI-Closed Mouth Technique, Patient Education Guide." American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI): "Cumulative effects of formoterol administered by a dry powder inhaler," "Inhalers," "Anti-inflammatory effects of inhaled steroids delivered by HFA-MDI vs delivery by dry powder inhaler." Hi I'm Leanne, a respiratory nurse specialist at Asthma and Lung UK. I'm going to tell you how to clean and store your spacer. Designed to deliver more medication to the lungs than pMDI alone 1, enabling patients with asthma and COPD to take control.Take your spacer apart and gently clean it with warm water and a detergent, such as washing-up liquid. Hold your breath for the length of time specified for the medicine you are taking to allow the medication to reach your lungs. Many new inhalers include a dose counter to show how much medication is left. It’s hard to tell with older models, most of which make a puff sound long after the medication is gone. This could be a serious problem if you need the inhaler and it’s empty.

Suggett J et al. The impact of inhalation delay on lung drug delivery: using functional respiratory imaging (FRI) to compare metered dose inhaler (MDI) and MDI/Valved Holding Chamber (VHC) Systems. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2020;201:A5889. Valved holding chambers and spacers are very similar devices; both are plastic tubes that attach to your metered-dose inhaler and are recommended for adults and children. References: 1. Terzano C (2001). Pressurized metered dose inhalers and add-on devices. Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 14, 351-366. Combivent and DuoNeb inhalers contain both albuterol and ipratropium (a bronchodilator); albuterol and ipratropium may also be given using a nebulizer .If your child or an adult uses an HFA every day to control asthma symptoms, you can figure out how long it will last by dividing the total number of puffs in the HFA by the total puffs used every day. For example, if the HFA has 200 puffs and they use four puffs per day, divide 200 by four. In this case, the HFA would last 50 days. Using a calendar, count forward that many days to learn when to discard the HFA and begin using a new one. Open your mouth wide, and place the inhaler about 2 inches in front of your mouth. (Or you can put the HFA in your mouth, between your teeth, with your tongue flat under the mouthpiece and your lips sealed.)

An asthma inhaler is a handheld device that delivers medication straight into your lungs. You get the drugs faster -- and with fewer side effects -- than you would if you took it by pill or IV. Clean the spacer chamber every other day. If you aren’t using it often, you may need to clean it only once a week. Let it air dry, and store it in a clean, dry place when you're not using it. When the treatment is complete, remove the HFA from the space chamber. Replace the caps on the asthma inhaler and spacer. If there is a spacer device such as a mask, place it over your child's nose and mouth, making sure there is a good seal. If there is just a mouthpiece, the tip should go between the teeth, with lips wrapped tightly around to make a good seal. Made of durable thermoplastic and designed to meet rigorous sterilisation requirements in hospitals and clinicsIf you notice your spacer making a whistling sound, that means you’re breathing in too fast. If you need to take another dose, take the mouthpiece or mask away from your face, wait 30 seconds to a minute and shake the inhaler again. Then repeat the steps.

Formerly called metered dose inhalers (MDIs), HFAs give the drug through a small, handheld aerosol canister. They work like a spray can. You push the inhaler, it sprays out the medicine, and you breathe it in. A tube-like gadget called a spacer can help kids or people with trouble breathing use an HFA more easily. Long-acting anticholinergics such as tiotropium bromide (Respimat, Spiriva ), for anyone age 6 or older. This medicine can be used along with your regular maintenance medication. Trelegy Ellipta combination inhalers include both an anticholinergic and a long-acting beta agonist as well as a corticosteroid. How well do you know your asthma inhaler? What does it do for you? What drugs are in it? Do you puff and breathe, or breathe and puff? Anti-static Space Chamber Plus* traps and holds medication in suspension for longer so patients have more time to breathe in.

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When you’re not using your spacer, storing it properly will keep it in good condition, helping you or your child to get the best from your asthma medicine. Cross Valve is designed to reduce resistance when breathing in medication and prevents accidental breathing out into chamber. Can significantly reduce the amount of medication that reaches your lungs. Optimal dose of medication reaches lungs for action against asthma and COPD. Levy ML et al. Asthma patients’ inability to use a pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) correctly correlates with poor asthma control as defined by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) strategy: a retrospective analysis. Prim Care Respir J. 2013; Dec;22(4):406-11 To ensure the spacer is working correctly, look for movement in the valve when breathing in and out. How do I use the inhaler? More than half of people who use an inhaler don’t use it correctly. If you have trouble, a device called a spacer can help.