If you have a lung disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), inhalers can help you breathe easier by getting medications straight into your lungs. To make sure your inhaler works best, it’s important to know how to use it correctly.
Types of inhaler devices
There are a few types of inhalers:
- Metered dose inhalers (MDIs): These release a puff or spray of medicine. Breathe in slowly and steadily. You can use a spacer (see below) to help get more medication into your lungs
- Soft mist inhalers: These release medicine as a very fine mist. Breathe in slowly and steadily
- Dry powder inhalers (DPIs): These release a very fine, dry powder. You need to take a quick, deep breath in with this type of inhaler.
Inhalers can contain one or more medications. Your doctor will choose the right inhaler for you, considering your medication needs, how well you can breathe it in, and which is easiest for you to use.
Each inhaler is used differently. Learn more about how to use and clean your inhaler.
Get to know your inhaler
For each of your inhalers, make sure you know:
- How to use it
- When to use it
- How many puffs to take
- What side effects to watch out for
- How to check if it’s low, empty or expired
- How to clean it
- If you need a spacer.
If you’re not sure, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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