Meter Dose Inhalers (MDI)  are  often used for the treatment of asthma.   They consist of a small canister which
holds medication under pressure.     The medication is released by pressing down on the inhaler.    Meter Dose
Inhalers include rescue inhalers such as ProAir HFA,  Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA,  Xopenex, and asthma
controllers like Advair HFA,  Flovent,  QVAR, ,  and Symbicort.







How to use a meter dose inhaler
  1. Remove the mouthpiece cap.
  2. Shake the inhaler to ensure that the medication is well mixed with  the propellants (check the instruction
    sheet that comes with your inhaler,  as some inhalers do not need to be shaken).
  3. Stand up or sit up straight, and breathe out deeply.
  4. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth, between your teeth, and close your lips tightly around the inhaler.   
    Make sure your tongue is out of the way.
  5. Start to breathe in slowly
  6. "Breathe and click"  A split second after you start breathing in, activate the inhaler once,  and continue
    breathing in slowly for several more seconds.      The goal is to get the medication to mix in with the air you
    breathe so that it is carried deeply into your lungs.   A slow long steady inhalation is better than a quick short
    breath.
  7. Hold your breath for 5-10 seconds after you are finished inhaling in order to let the medication “soak” in
    your lungs, then breathe in/out normally.
  8. Slowly breathe out and repeat step 2-7 to take a second dose (if prescribed by your physician).  




















Remember:
  • Your inhaler may need to be “primed” before the first use, it has not been used for a while, or if it was
    dropped.  Make sure to check the instruction sheet that comes with your inhaler to see if it needs to be
    primed.
  • Ideally, the inhaler should be at room temperature before using it.     Avoid leaving your inhaler in your car
    or other areas where it can get really hot or cold.
  • Remember to rinse your mouth, gargle, or brush your teeth, after you use a steroid inhaler.   This will  
    remove any excess steroids on your tongue and throat, thereby helping to prevent you from getting a fungal
    infection in your throat.
  • Spacers, also called valved holding chambers, are devices that help maximize the amount of medications
    that enter the lungs and are especially useful in children.
  • The "float test" , during which a canister is dropped in a bucket of water to assess how much medication is
    left inside it has been found to be unreliable.   Luckily many drug manufacturers are now placing dose
    counters on their canisters to let you know when it's time to get a new one.    If your meter dose does not
    have a dose counter, the only other reliable way to know how much medication is left inside it is to keep a
    record on a calendar or piece of paper every time you use it.
  • Clean the mouthpiece weekly with a cotton swat, cloth or paper towel.  Do not put the canister in water.


What are dry powder inhalers (DPI)?
Dry powder inhalers are also devices used for the treatment of asthma.   The difference between MDI and DPI's is
that the medication in a DPI is in a powder form, while it is in a liquid form in MDI's.  People typically find that
DPI's are easier to use because they are breath-activated --all you have to do is breathe in quickly and deeply to
activate the flow of medication. This way, the breath-activated discharge of medicine is always coordinated with
your inhaling effort.   

Right now, the only types of asthma medications that come as dry powder inhalers are asthma controllers.   These
include Advair, Asmanex, and Pulmicort.     Asthma rescue medications are only available as meter dose inhalers.   
Each company makes different types of DPI' devices, so it's important to read the instructions that come with the
medication in order to learn how to use them properly.    Ideally, dry powder inhalers should be kept away from
damp rooms (IE bathrooms) so that the powder inside them stays dry.


Hungry for more information on how to use an inhaler?  Check out this website which has some very well
made videos on how to use just about every type of inhaler available on the market.
AllergyExpert.US
How to use an Inhaler

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ProAir HFA                    Symbicort