How To Take Asthma Medicines

Many asthma medicines come as sprays and powders
that are used in an inhaler. When you breathe in the
medicine through the inhaler, it goes right to the airways
in the lungs where it is needed. Ask your provider to
help you learn how to use an inhaler.



STEP 1:
Take off the cap, and shake the inhaler
with the metal canister inserted.

STEP 2:
Hold the inhaler like this—stand up, take
a deep breath, and breathe out as much as
you can. Tilt head back slightly.

STEP 3:
Hold the inhaler in your mouth or 2 fingers
away from your mouth (the best method).
As you start to breathe in, push down on
the top of the inhaler, and keep breathing
in slowly and deeply, keeping mouth open
until breathing is complete.

STEP 4:
Hold your breath for 5 to 10 seconds with
your mouth closed, then breathe out
slowly. If you use more than one puff,
wait 1 minute before inhaling again.

STEP 5:
If using inhaled corticosteroids, rinse your
mouth with water, but don’t swallow.
STEP 6:
Once a day, remove the cap and the canister
from plastic holder, and wash them with
mild soap and water. Rinse with running
water. Let dry.