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The Right Way to Use an Inhaler with a Spacer
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- Shake the inhaler for at least 10 seconds.
- Insert the inhaler into the spacer (technique will vary with
type of spacer; refer to manufacturer instructions).
- Tilt your head back slightly. Breathe out until your lungs are
completely empty.
- Put the mouthpiece into your mouth between your teeth and close
your lips around it. Do not block the opening with your tongue.
- Press down once on the inhaler canister.
- Breathe in deeply and slowly through your mouth.
- Keep breathing in slowly, as deeply as you can.
- If you can, hold your breath as you count slowly to 10. This
allows the medicine to go to the deepest part of your lungs.
- Wait at least 1 minute between puffs. This gives the medicine
time to get into the lungs.
- Repeat steps 1-9 if your doctor has prescribed more than one
puff.
Checking How Long Your Medicine Should Last
- Check the canister label to see how many “puffs”
(metered inhalations) it contains.
See picture to the right.
- Add the number of puffs you take per day. For example, if the
label says take two puffs twice a day, it would be a total of
four puffs per day.
- Divide this number into the number of puffs in the canister.
- Count out 50 days on your calendar to remind yourself to get
a refill on this medication
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