Asthma devices (1893)

• Asthma devices (1893)

Most asthma medicines need to get into the lungs to work. It is very important that you know how to use the asthma medicines the right way. You can ask the pharmacist, nurse, or provider to show you.

There are many devices that can be used to take an asthma medicine.

1. Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI)- often called a pump or puffer

• A metered dose inhaler holds medicine inside of a can.
• The medicine is mixed with a safe gas that pushes the medicine out very fast.
• The medicine comes out in the form of a mist which can be breathed into the lungs.
• When the inhaler is pumped, it gives just the right amount of medicine with each pump.
• Always use a spacer when taking this medicine.
• An inhaler can travel with you when you leave home.
• Follow the directions to get the inhaler ready for the first use.  This is called priming.

Spacers are always used with metered dose inhalers. It helps slow down the speed of the medicine so it can get into the lungs and not to other parts of the body.

2.  Dry Powdered Inhaler (DPI ) 

• A dry powdered inhaler holds powdered medicine inside of it.
• The medicine comes out in the form of a powder, which can be breathed into the lungs.
• When the inhaler is ready to use, it gives just the right amount of medicine.
• In order to get the medicine in the lungs, you have to breathe in deep and fast.
• Do not use a spacer when taking this medicine.
• An inhaler can travel with you when you leave home.

3. Respimat® Soft Mist Inhaler (SMI)

• A Soft Mist Inhaler holds water-based medicines inside of a can.
• The medicine comes out of the inhaler as slow mist and looks like a cloud.
• When the inhaler is activated, just the right amount of medicine comes out.
• Do not use a spacer when taking this medicine.
• An inhaler can travel with you when you leave home.
• Follow the directions to get the inhaler ready for the first use.  This is called priming.

Special instructions:

• If you drop it or do not use it for more than a week, you may need to prime the inhaler.  Read the medicine instructions about this and how to clean your device.
• Make sure to keep track of the number of doses left in an inhaler.    Some inhalers have a counter, and some do not. Replace the inhaler when the counter is at zero, even if it seems like there is still medicine left.  If the MDI does not have a dose counter, keep track of how many puffs are used each time the inhaler is used.
• Do not keep the inhaler in very hot or very cold temperatures.
• Use the inhaler only as directed by your provider.
• Do not let children play with an inhaler or a spacer.
• One spacer can be used for all of your metered dose inhalers.
• A spacer should last at least one year.

4. Nebulizer

• A nebulizer mixes air with a liquid medicine to make a mist.
• The mist is breathed into the lungs with a mask or a mouthpiece.
• A nebulizer requires electricity or a battery.
• It takes 5 to 15 minutes to take the medicine with a nebulizer.
• Nebulizers do not work better than inhalers with a spacer.