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Using Asthma Medications
Most people have an inhaler, or puffer, that they use to take asthma medicine. It is highly recommended that all people, adults and children, attach a spacer when using an inhaler.
Spacers increase the amount of medicine that reaches the airways and can decrease side effects. When using a spacer correctly, more medicine will get into the lungs. Use a spacer as instructed by healthcare providers.
Another device used to take asthma medications is called a nebulizer. Nebulizers
turn medicine into a mist that you can breathe deeply into your lungs. Often medicines can be mixed together in a nebulizer. Check with your doctor or a pharmacist about mixing medicines.
See the following directions for use:
Using an Inhaler with a Spacer
Using an Inhaler with a Mask and Spacer
Using an Inhaler with No Spacer
Using a Nebulizer
Using an Inhaler with a Spacer
Click to download a printer-friendly version (152 KB pdf)
| 1. Stand or sit up straight. |
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| 2. Remove cap from the spacer and the inhaler. Look into the spacer/inhaler and remove/clean any dust. |
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| 3. Attach the inhaler to a spacer. |
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| 4. Shake the inhaler (10 shakes). |
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| 5. Hold the spacer close to your mouth and breathe out naturally. |
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| 6. Put the spacer mouthpiece between your teeth and close your lips. |
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| 7. Press down once on the inhaler. |
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| 8. Breathe in slowly and keep breathing in slowly until your lungs are full. |
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| 9. Remove the spacer from your mouth and close your lips. Hold your breath for 10 seconds. |
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| 10. Breathe out slowly. |
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| 11. Breathe in once more through the spacer without pressing on the inhaler. |
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| 12. Wait 60 seconds. |
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| 13. Repeat steps 5 through 12 for each puff that your healthcare provider tells you to take. |
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| 13. Rinse mouth. |
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Using an Inhaler with a Mask and Spacer
Page Up
Using an Inhaler with No Spacer
| 1. Stand or sit up straight. |
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| 2. Remove cap from the spacer and the inhaler. Look into the inhaler and remove/clean any dust . |
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| 3. Shake the inhaler (10 shakes). |
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| 4. Breathe out naturally. |
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| 5. Tilt head back slightly. Hold the inhaler two finger widths away from your mouth. |
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| 6. As you begin to inhale, press down on the inhaler. |
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| 7. Keep breathing in slowly until your lungs are full. |
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| 8. Remove the inhaler from your mouth and close your lips. Hold your breath for 10 seconds. |
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| 9. Breathe out slowly. |
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| 10. Wait 60 seconds. |
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| 11. Repeat steps four through 10 for each puff that your health provider tells you to take. |
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| 12. Rinse mouth. |
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Using a Nebulizer
Click to download a printer-friendly version (138 KB pdf)
Set up the Nebulizer:
- Set machine on a hard, level surface.
- Plug the machine into an electrical outlet, if needed.
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Assemble equipment.
- Put the medicine in the nebulizer cup.
Giving a Nebulizer Treatment:
- Have the person sit straight up.
- Put the mouthpiece in the mouth, between teeth, and close the lips (If using a mask, cover mouth and nose with the mask).
- Turn the machine on.
- Keep the nebulizer medicine cup in an upright position.
- Take slow, deep breaths through mouthpiece (When using mask, encourage breathing through mouth, if possible).
- Hold each breath for 10 seconds, then exhale slowly through the mouthpiece.
- The treatment is done when all the medicine is used and no mist can be seen (you may need to tap the side of the medicine cup during treatment).
- Wash face if using a mask to prevent rash.
Nebulizer Cleaning and Storage:
- Take the nebulizer apart.
- Set tubing aside.
- Do not soak, wash, or rinse tubing. Replace if it becomes cloudy, discolored, or wet inside.
- Wash the medicine cup, mouthpiece and mask with warm, soapy water.
- Rinse the medicine cup, mouthpiece and mask in warm water.
- Let all pieces air-dry on a paper towel.
- When completely dry, store pieces in a plastic bag or container.
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