How to use inhaler devices - Part 1

Posted by Pharmacist Duong Thu Huong - Pharmacist of Vinmec Times City International Hospital.

Studies on the use of inhalers in people with respiratory conditions have shown that less than 50% of people use their inhalers correctly. Improper use leads to decreased effectiveness of the drug, increasing the rate of exacerbations requiring hospitalization.
The following article will guide you how to use inhaler devices that are circulating on the market today:

The propellant inhaler can be used directly or through the spacer
a) If the spacer is not used: Remove the cap on the mouthpiece of the device If spraying for the first time or do not use the device more than 2 weeks, it is recommended to spray the test primer and observe whether the instrument is working properly or not. Most instruments will need to be shaken for 5 seconds, then primed by pressing down on the pressure chamber 4 times, turning the mouthpiece out into the air to see if any gas is released (the number of puffs can fluctuate depending on the number of puffs). into the tool). Shake the instrument before inhalation. Note, before each inhalation, shake the device for 5 seconds. Hold the applicator straight with your index finger on top of the pressure vessel and thumb on the bottom of the device Exhale normally Close your lips around the mouthpiece As you begin to inhale, press down on the pressure chamber to release the medication. Take care not to let your tongue block the portion of the air moving down your throat. Continue to inhale deeply and slowly. Once fully inhaled, hold the breath for 5-10 seconds to allow the medicine to penetrate down to the lungs. Exhale normally If 2 or more sprays are needed at the same time. , wait about 15-30 seconds between sprays. Shake the applicator for 5 seconds and repeat the above steps. If the medication contains steroids, rinse your mouth thoroughly after use. Do not swallow water, but spit it out. Wipe the mouthpiece clean before closing the cap. b) In case of using spacer In case it is difficult for users to coordinate smoothly between operations when using MDI tools, the buffer chamber can overcome this situation. Using a spacer also helps to reduce drug deposition in the oropharynx. How to use the instrument with the spacer is as follows:
Perform the priming operations as in part a) Assemble the spacer chamber into the sprayer by removing the inhaler mouthpiece cap, attached to the spacer. The spacer will be perpendicular to the instrument body Shake the instrument vigorously for 5s, then hold the instrument upright with the chamber horizontal. Carry out the same exhalation and inhalation steps as part a). If you cannot hold your breath long enough, you can re-inhale through the spacer and hold your breath as much as possible. If more than 1 spray is needed, wait 15-30 seconds between sprays. Do not spray twice into the chamber and inhale once. Note :
New buffer chamber may have internal charge (static charge) and is less effective than used chamber or after washing. It is recommended to wash the spacer chamber with dish soap before first use and dry it completely to remove the charge. The spray chamber should be cleaned every 1-2 weeks. In case the spacer does not have a one-way valve: it is advisable to exhale through the nose to avoid the out-breath going into the spacer. It is important to note the common mistakes when using a propellant inhaler:
Do not shake the inhaler before use Do not coordinate smoothly between hand-pressing - suction mouth, not holding the inhaler tightly Inhale Do not hold your breath after inhalation

Gas-powered inhalers require routine cleaning. Most manufacturers recommend cleaning the mouthpiece once a week. How to clean is as follows:
Remove the pressure chamber part from the plastic body. Do not wash the pressure chamber or immerse it in water Clean the mouthpiece with tap water 30-60s Shake the excess water to drain and allow the mouthpiece to dry completely Insert the mouthpiece into the pressure chamber and press 1 spray in. air to ensure correct assembly. How to tell when the device is out of medicine: Some devices have a window that counts the number of sprays and lets the user know when the medicine will run out. Otherwise the user should keep a log of the number of times the device is used to know when the device will run out of medication. It is not recommended to immerse the container in water to check the drug flow in the device
If you have any questions about how to use the inhaler devices, you can contact Vinmec hospital for a pharmacist / Doctor advises proper use.