Breathing Problems: Using a Metered-Dose Inhaler
Diseases affecting the lungs—such as
asthma,
emphysema,
chronic bronchitis, and
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—share
many of the same medicines. These medicines are often delivered through a
Reference metered-dose
inhaler (MDI) Opens New Window.
Using an MDI:
- Delivers most of a measured dose of medicine
directly to your lungs.
- Can help keep your symptoms under control
and minimize long-term damage to your lungs.
- May prevent or
reduce side effects of the medicine.
- May let you use less
medicine than is found in a pill but get the same effect.
- May
result in the medicine working faster than a pill form.
A metered-dose
inhaler (MDI) is a handheld device that delivers a measured dose of medicine
directly to your lungs. The medicine is usually in an aerosol form.
Using a
Reference spacer Opens New Window Reference 
Opens New Window with an MDI is the most efficient way to get
the most medicine to your lungs. A spacer functions as a "holding" area for the
medicine before you inhale. Using a spacer with your MDI can improve the
delivery of the medicine and help you if you have problems with releasing the
medicine as you inhale. It might help to practice using the MDI and spacer in
front of the mirror. A spacer should always be used with inhaled
Reference corticosteroids Opens New Window to avoid side effects.
An
MDI can be used to give different types of medicine. The type of medicine in
your inhaler will depend on what type of medicine you need to treat your
specific condition. For example, the inhaler may contain a medicine to prevent
an asthma attack or medicine to help relieve the symptoms of COPD.
For some medicines, you may need a certain type of MDI. Always check with
your doctor and pharmacist when getting a new MDI.
Test Your Knowledge
-
An MDI may be used to give medicines for a number of
different conditions.
-
True
This answer is correct.
An MDI may be used for lung conditions such as
asthma and COPD.
-
False
This answer is incorrect.
An MDI may be used for lung conditions such as
asthma and COPD.
Using a
metered-dose inhaler (MDI) is beneficial because:
- It provides a puff of medicine in an accurate,
measured dose.
- It can help keep your symptoms under control and
minimize long-term damage to your lungs.
- When an MDI is used
effectively, most of the medicine is delivered directly to your lungs and does
not travel throughout the body. This may prevent or decrease side effects in
the rest of your body.
- You may be able to use less medicine than is
found in a pill but get the same effect.
- The medicine may work
faster than a pill.
Test Your Knowledge
-
An MDI may help avoid side effects of
medicine.
-
True
This answer is correct.
An MDI may help avoid side effects of medicine
because, when used effectively, most of the medicine goes to your lungs and
does not travel to other parts the body.
-
False
This answer is incorrect.
An MDI may help avoid side effects of medicine
because, when used effectively, most of the medicine goes to your lungs and
does not travel to other parts of the body.
Getting started
- Talk with your doctor to be sure that you are
using your MDI correctly. It might help if you practice using it in front of a
mirror. Use the inhaler exactly as your doctor has
prescribed.
- Check that you have the correct medicine. If you use
several inhalers, put a label on each one so that you know which one to use at
the right time.
- Check how much medicine is in the inhaler. Check
the label of your inhaler medicine to see how many inhalations should be in the
canister. If you know how many breaths you can take, you can replace your
inhaler before you run out. Learn how to test your canister to estimate how
much medicine is left. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you with
this.
- Use a spacer if you have problems getting the correct timing
when you use an inhaler or if you are using corticosteroids.
Using an MDI
Using a spacer with an MDI is the most efficient way to get
the most medicine to your lungs. Make sure you understand the proper use of an:
-
Reference MDI with a spacer for a child Opens New Window Reference
Opens New Window.
-
Reference MDI with a spacer for an adult Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window.
Although using an MDI with a spacer is usually recommended,
you can also use an MDI without a spacer. Learn the proper use of an:
-
Reference MDI without a spacer for an adult or child Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window.
If you are using a corticosteroid inhaler,
rinse your mouth out with water after use. Don't swallow the water. Swallowing
the water will increase the chance that the medicine will get into your
bloodstream. This may increase the side effects of the medicine.
Some powder may build up on the inhaler, but you may not need to clean
the inhaler every day. Follow the directions for how and how often to clean the type of MDI you have.
Test Your Knowledge
-
Using a spacer with an MDI is the most efficient way
to get the most medicine to your lungs.
-
True
This answer is correct.
Using a spacer with an MDI is the most
efficient way to get the most medicine to your lungs.
-
False
This answer is incorrect.
Using a spacer with an MDI is the most
efficient way to get the most medicine to your lungs.
Now that you have read this
information, you are ready to start using a metered-dose inhaler.
Talk with your doctor
If you have questions about
this information, take it with you when you visit your doctor.
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