It is recommended that you use your puffer with a spacer.
A spacer is a valved holding chamber that attaches to the mouthpiece of your puffer (also called a metered-dose inhhaler or MDI). A spacer holds the spray from your puffer (inhaler) before you inhale, allowing you to breathe in the medicine more easily. Using a spacer is more efficient as more medicine enters your lungs, rather than your mouth, throat or stomach.
This information will help you use your puffer if you do not have a spacer.
This information is meant to help you use your inhaler properly. If you require more information about the medication itself, please speak to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Using your puffer with a spacer
Remove the cap of the spacer.
Remove the cap of the puffer. Shake the puffer 5 or 6 times.
Insert the puffer in the hole at the back of the spacer.
Sit up with your back straight, or stand up.
Blow all your breath out until your lungs are empty.
Seal your lips around the spacer mouthpiece.
Press the down once on the puffer's canister – this will spray medication into the spacer.
Slowly breathe in from the spacer until you can't take in any more.
Hold your breath for as long as you can, (5-10 seconds).
Take the spacer mouthpiece out of your mouth, and breathe out normally.
If you need a second puff, wait one minute and repeat these steps.
Rinse your mouth out with water and spit the water out (don't swallow it). Rinsing your mouth can cut down on some side effects, like a white coating on your tongue (a yeast infection called thrush) or a sore throat.
VIDEO: How to use your puffer with a spacer
Using your puffer without a spacer
Stand up, or sit up with your back straight.
Remove the cap from the mouthpiece and shake the inhaler.
Breathe out normally.
Put the mouthpiece between your teeth, over your tongue. Wrap your lips around the mouthpiece.
Take a slow deep breath in. As you start to inhale slowly, press on the inhaler. Keep breathing in until your lungs are full.
Hold your breath for as long as you can, between 5 and 10 seconds.
Breathe out normally.
If you need a second puff, wait one minute and repeat these steps.
Rinse your mouth out with water and spit the water out (don't swallow it). Rinsing your mouth can cut down on some side effects, like a white coating on your tongue (a yeast infection called thrush) or a sore throat.
VIDEO: How to use your puffer without a spacer
Using a puffer with a mask and spacer
Doctors recommend spacers with masks for children until they are able to understand the instructions on how to use a spacer with a mouthpiece. They also recommend spacers with masks for adults who can't keep their lips sealed around the regular spacer.
Remove the cap of the puffer. Shake the puffer up and down.
Insert the puffer in the hole at the back of the spacer.
Have the child sit up straight.
Put the mask over the child's mouth and nose. Press the mask against her face. Make sure there are no gaps between her face and the mask. Hold the mask on the child's face with one hand. With the other, hold the spacer, with your finger on top of the puffer's canister.
Press the puffer's canister down to spray one puff into the spacer.
Ask the child to breathe in and out through her mouth 6 times.
If your child needs more than one puff of medicine, repeat steps 5- 7. Do not spray more than one puff at a time into the spacer.
Rinse your mouth out with water and spit the water out (don't swallow it). Rinsing your mouth can cut down on some side effects, like a white coating on your tongue (a yeast infection called thrush) or a sore throat.
VIDEOS: How to use a puffer with a mask and spacer
