27-Jun-08 2:00 PM CST

All about Oral Inhalers

Contents of this Page:

ORAL INHALER
ORAL INHALER WITH SPACERS
CAPSULE INHALER
- Rotahaler
NEBULIZER

ORAL INHALER:

The following list of instructions will help you properly administer a medication with an oral inhaler:

Shake the inhaler well before use.
Remove the cap from the inhaler.
Ask your child to exhale completely (blow all the air from lungs through their mouth).
Position inhaler about an inch away from the mouth.
While child breathes in, press on the top of the inhaler to release a puff of medicine.
After child has inhaled completely, have the child hold his breath for 10 seconds or as long as he can hold it.
Have the child breathe out slowly.
If more than one puff is to be given: wait at least one minute after first puff to give second puff.
If several different medicines from different inhalers are to be given: It is best to give the bronchodilator before any other. Examples of bronchodilators include albuterol or metoproterenol. To check if your child is taking a bronchodilator ask your pharmacist or pediatrician.

ORAL INHALER WITH SPACERS:

There are three different types of popular spacers. They are the Aerochamber with mask, the Aerochamber with mouthpiece, and the InspirEase spacer. The following list of instructions for each type will allow you to properly help your child use a spacer.

Aerochamber with Mask:

The following list of instructions will allow you to help your child properly use an Aerochamber with mask:

Shake the inhaler well before use.
Place the whole inhaler unit onto the end of the spacer as shown in the picture
Place the masked end of the spacer up to the child's face.
Be sure the mask fits tightly over both the child's mouth and nose. If it isn't a snug fit, you may have the wrong size. The masks come in several different sizes. Check with your pediatrician or pharmacist if you think you need a different size mask.
Press on top of the inhaler to release medicine into the spacer.
Tell the child to breathe in and out slowly several times, taking deep breaths and holding for several seconds.
If the spacer squeaks or whistles while the child is inhaling or exhaling, then the child is breathing too fast. Tell the child to take slower breaths.
If more than 1 puff is necessary: wait at least one minute after first puff.
If several different medicines from different inhalers are to be given: It is best to give the bronchodilator before any other. Examples of bronchodilators include albuterol or metoproterenol. To check if your child is taking a bronchodilator ask your pharmacist or pediatrician.

Aerochamber with mouthpiece:

The following list of instructions will allow you to help your child properly use an Aerochamber with mouthpiece:

Shake the inhaler well before use.
Place the whole inhaler unit onto the end of the spacer as shown in the picture.
Place the other end of the spacer (mouthpiece) in the child's mouth.
Press on top of the inhaler to release medicine into the spacer.
Tell the child to breathe in and out slowly several times, taking deep breaths and holding for several seconds.
If the spacer squeaks or whistles while the child is inhaling or exhaling, then the child is breathing too fast. Instruct the child to take slower breaths.
If more than 1 puff is necessary: wait at least one minute after first puff.
If several different medicines from different inhalers are to be given: It is best to give the bronchodilator before any other. Examples of bronchodilators include albuterol or metoproterenol. To check if your child is taking a bronchodilator ask your pharmacist or pediatrician.

Inspirease spacer:

The following list of instructions will allow you to help your child properly use an Inspirease spacer:

Shake the inhaler well before use.
Take the medicine chamber out the inhaler and place it on the top of the mouthpiece on the Inspirease spacer as shown in the picture.
Place the mouthpiece of the spacer in the child's mouth.
Press on top of the medicine chamber to release medicine into the spacer.
Tell the child to breathe in and out slowly several times, taking deep breaths and holding for several seconds.
If the spacer squeaks or whistles while the child is inhaling or exhaling, then the child is breathing too fast. Tell the child to take slower breaths.
If more than 1 puff is necessary: wait at least one minute after first puff.
If several different medicines from different inhalers are to be given: It is best to give the bronchodilator before any other. Examples of bronchodilators include albuterol or metoproterenol. To check if your child is taking a bronchodilator ask your pharmacist or pediatrician.

CAPSULE INHALER:
Capsule inhalers require that you place the capsule of powdered medicine into the inhaler before giving each dose.

Rotahaler:

The following list of instructions will allow you to help your child properly use a Rotahaler:

Twist the back of the inhaler all the way to the right.
Follow the instructions from the packaging to puncture the capsule and release the medicine from the capsule. You may need to twist the back of the inhaler all the way to the left (Rotahaler®) or you may need to press both side buttons together once and release (Aerolizer®).
Tell the child to breathe out completely (exhale).
Tilt the child's head back slightly.
Have the child place his/her lips around the top of the inhaler as shown in above picture.
Tell the child to inhale quickly and hold his/her breath for 10 seconds or as long as he/she can.
Remove the inhaler from mouth and tell the child to exhale.
Repeat the above steps until no medicine is left in the inhaler.
Throw away the empty capsule.
Clean the inhaler by rinsing with water after each use and allow to air dry.

NEBULIZER:

The following list of instructions will allow you to help your child properly use a nebulizer.

Place the prescribed volume of medicine into the reservoir (usually a plastic cup at the end of the mouthpiece). Your child’s doctor may tell you to add a diluting liquid to the medicine to the reservoir also.
Turn the nebulizer on.
Be sure a mist is coming out of the mouthpiece before placing it into your child's mouth.
Place the end of the mouthpiece into the child's mouth and have the child breathe normally.
The child is usually finished when there is no more liquid in the cup.
Clean the nebulizer after each use by rinsing the mouthpiece and reservoir with water. Once a week the mouthpiece and reservoir should be soaked in soapy water, then rinsed and allowed to air dry.