Copyright 2005 Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

How To Use An Inhaler

  1. Take the cap off the inhaler.

  2. Shake the inhaler 4-5 times.

  3. Sit up straight or stand comfortably.

  4. Take a deep breath in, then exhale (breathe out) all the way until you can’t breathe out any more air.

  5. Put the inhaler in your mouth and close your lips around the mouthpiece. (make sure the canister is pointing up). Your head should be tilted back just a little bit
    1. Some people prefer not to put the inhaler in their mouth, but instead hold the inhaler about 1 inch (2 fingers wide) away from their mouth and keep their mouth wide open.

  6. At the same time, push the inhaler to release one puff and inhale
    (breathe in). Never do more than one puff at a time.

  7. Keep breathing in slowly until your lungs are full and you can’t breathe in any more. (Should take about 5 or 6 seconds).

  8. Hold your breath for 5-10 seconds, or less if you are uncomfortable.

  9. Wait a little while (30-60 seconds), and repeat steps 2-8 for each puff of the medicine. Take only as many puffs as your clinician recommends.