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When individuals are first prescribed inhaled medication it is essential to teach them about the correct use of their inhaler to ensure optimal drug delivery
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If you have asthma, you may need to use one or more asthma medications to manage the condition. It is important that you use your asthma inhaler correctly to get the full benefit of the medication you are taking. Most people with asthma, however, do not use the correct technique. What is an asthma inhaler?Most asthma medicines are inhaled through the mouth using an inhaler or puffer. There are several types and the device you use will depend on your age, how your lungs work and which device you find easiest to use. A doctor, pharmacist or nurse should show you how to take your asthma medicine. Some medicines are breathed in directly from the inhaler; others are breathed in through a 'spacer' — you puff the medicine into a container and breathe through a mouthpiece at the other end. This increases the amount of medicine that reaches the small airways of the lungs. Most children over 4 can use a small spacer and puffer. Babies and children under 4 may need a face mask. (The videos below and more can be found on the NPS MedicineWise YouTube page.) Metered dose inhalers (puffers)A puffer, or a metered dose inhaler, is the most common type of inhaler. Using it with a spacer will get more medicine into the lungs. Tips for correct use
Video: how to use a pufferAn Autohaler is an alternative way to take some asthma medicines. The inhaler is activated by breathing in. Tips for correct use
Video: how to use an AutohalerThere are many other types of inhaler. These include the Accuhaler, Turbuhaler, HandiHaler, Ellipta and Genuair. These inhalers all come with instructions. A doctor or nurse should teach you how to use them. Tips for correct use
Video: how to use an Accuhaler
The following organisations have a range of resources, including fact sheets and videos to help you take your asthma medicine properly: Chapter 6. Non-Parenteral Medication Administration Medications administered through inhalation are dispersed via an aerosol spray, mist, or powder that patients inhale into their airways. Although the primary effect of inhaled medications is respiratory, there are likely to be systemic effects as well. Most patients taking medication by inhaler have asthma or chronic respiratory disease and should learn how to administer these medications themselves. A variety of inhalers are available, and specific manufacturers’ instructions should always be checked and followed to ensure appropriate dosing. Medication by Small-Volume NebulizersNebulization is a process by which medications are added to inspired air and converted into a mist that is then inhaled by the patient into their respiratory system (Lilley et al., 2011; Perry et al., 2014.) (see Figure 6.4). The air droplets are finer than those created by metered dose inhalers, and delivery of the nebulized medication is by face mask or a mouthpiece held between the patient’s teeth. Figure 6.4 Example of a small-volume nebulizerChecklist 51 outlines the steps for delivering medication through a small-volume nebulizer.
Medication by Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI)A metered dose inhaler (MDI) is a small handheld device that disperses medication into the airways via an aerosol spray or mist through the activation of a propellant. A measured dose of the drug is delivered with each push of a canister, and dosing is usually achieved with one or two puffs. Examples of MDIs, with a spacer on the rightChecklist 52 lists the steps for administering medication by MDI.
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