Learn more about your inhaler and devices!
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Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) with Aerochamber
Some inhalers may have dose counters on the back of the inhaler, if the number on the counter is 0, then the inhaler is empty.
For inhalers that do not have counters, observe how many doses the inhaler has. This will be written on the box that the inhaler came in or on your prescription, you can call your pharmacist if you are unsure.
If your inhaler has a steroid in it such as Flovent, Alvesco, Advair or Zenhale you will need to rinse your mouth with water and spit.
Please store your inhaler in a cool dry area away from children.
Used with permission of Covis Pharma Canada Ltd.
Prior to use, shake the inhaler, then place inhaler upright in the aerochamber.
- Sitting upright breathe out and exhale away from the aerochamber
- Press the canister of the inhaler down and the inhaler will dispense the medication
- Place mouth on the mouth piece and take a slow deep breath in over 3-4 seconds.
- Remove your mouth from the mouth piece and hold your breath for 10 seconds.
- You may take another deep breath from the aerochamber if you are unsure that you inhaled all of your medication.
Respimat
Before you use this inhaler, check that there is enough medication by observing the counter on the side through the clear cap of the device, If the counter indicator is in the red, it is time to discard the inhaler and start a new device.
The base only turns one way, and there are arrows on the label to show the direction to turn.
- Holding the inhaler upright, with the cap on, turn the base of the inhaler away from you until it clicks.
- Open the cap of the inhaler
- While sitting upright, breathe out
- Place your mouth on the mouthpiece
- Press the button as you take an easy deep breath in until a full breath is taken.
- Once you have fully inhaled the medication hold your breath for 10 seconds
- Remove your mouth from the mouthpiece and breathe out slowly.
- Recap your inhaler.
Turbuhaler
Remove the lid to check the dose counter on the side of the inhaler, if the counter is red and displays 0, the inhaler is empty.
Please rinse your mouth with water and spit after using the inhaler.
Place the cap back on the inhaler and store the inhaler in an upright position.
- Holding the inhaler upright, twist and remove the cap.
- Turn the gripped bottom all the way in one direction and then turn it all the way in the other direction, the inhaler should have clicked, which means that the dose is ready.
- Once the dose is ready, breathe out away from the inhaler
- Bring the inhaler to your mouth and put your mouth to the mouthpiece
- Take a deep steady breath until a full breath is taken. (1-2 seconds )
- Once you have fully inhaled remove your mouth from the mouthpiece and hold your breath for 10 seconds.
- Breathe out away from the inhaler slowly.
- Recap your inhaler.
Genuair
Please check the dose counter on the inhaler by the mouthpiece, if the number is 0, the inhaler is empty.
When you are done using the inhaler, store with the lid on the mouthpiece in a cool, dry place.
- Holding the inhaler horizontally, squeeze and remove the cap that is covering the mouthpiece.
- Press the button on the back of the inhaler all the way down till it clicks. (The coloured window on the front of the inhaler should turn from red to green, this means that the dose is ready.)
- Breathe out, away from the inhaler
- Put the inhaler to your mouth and seal your lips around the mouthpiece
- Take a fast steady breath in until a full breath is taken. (During your breath in the inhaler should click and the green box should turn back to red)
- Hold your breath for 10 seconds.
- Remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out slowly.
- Recap your inhaler.
Diskus inhaler
Prior to using your inhaler observe the dose counter near the label on the inhaler, if the number is at 0 then the inhaler is empty.
Please rinse your mouth with water after using Advair DISKUS.
Store in a dry, cool place. You can consider storing your DISKUS inhaler in a ziploc or tupperware container.
Instructional video: https://youtu.be/5yBCane4jeI
- Open your inhaler. (Hold the outer case of the inhaler in hand and then put the thumb of your other hand on the thumb grip and push the thumb grip away from you until you hear it click. The inhaler is open, however, the dose needs to be loaded.)
- Load the dose. (Near the mouthpiece on the right side of the inhaler push the lever down with your thumb away from you until the lever clicks)
- Breathe out (Empty your lungs away from the inhaler then place your mouth on the mouthpiece.)
- Take a full deep breath in, then hold for 10 seconds.
- Remove your lips from the inhaler, breathe out slowly and close the inhaler by pulling the cover towards you.
Twisthaler
Before you use this inhaler, check the dose counter at the base of the inhaler, the numbers will display 0 if the inhaler is empty and the inhaler will not open when empty.
After use recap and store upright in a cool, dry place.
Rinse your mouth with water after using the inhaler.
- Holding the inhaler upright, twist and remove the lid. You should/may hear a small click, and once the lid is removed the inhaler dose is ready.
- Exhale away from the inhaler, then place your mouth on the mouthpiece.
- Take a deep steady breath in until a full breath is taken and hold for 10 seconds.
- Remove your mouth from the mouthpiece and breathe out slowly.
- Please rinse your mouth with water and spit after using the inhaler.
- Place and twist the cap back on the inhaler and store it in an upright position.
Ellipta
Before you use this inhaler, check that there is enough medication by observing the counter on the label of the device, if the counter is red and no longer shows any numbers then the inhaler is empty.
Rinse your mouth with water after using Breo or Trelegy inhalers.
Store upright in a dry, cool place. You can consider storing your DISKUS inhaler in a ziploc or tupperware container.
- Holding the inhaler upright, pull the cap down the side of the inhaler until it clicks.
- Exhale away from the inhaler and then put the mouthpiece to your mouth
- Take a strong steady breath until a full breath is taken. (1-2 seconds)
- Remove your mouth from the mouthpiece and hold your breath for 10 seconds and then breathe out slowly.
- Push the cap back up to close the inhaler.
Breezhaler
Before you use this inhaler, check that there is enough medication by looking at how many capsules are left. If you are running low, speak with your doctor or pharmacist about getting a refill of the prescription.
- Open the lid of the inhaler, then push the mouthpiece back revealing the chamber for the capsule.
- Remove a capsule from the blister pack and place the capsule in the chamber
- Close the mouthpiece back over the chamber, it should click closed.
- Squeeze the coloured tab(s) on the bottom of the inhaler and release the tab.
- Exhale away from the inhaler, then place your lips on the mouthpiece.
- Take a deep steady breath in until a full breath is taken and hold for 10 seconds. You should hear the capsule rattle inside.
- Remove your mouth from the inhaler and breathe out slowly.
- Push the mouthpiece back. The capsule should be empty and can be disposed of in the garbage.
- Close mouthpiece and store inhaler with the lid on.
Respiclick
Before you use this inhaler, check that there is enough medication by observing the counter on the back of the device, if the counter is solid red and shows 0 then the inhaler is empty.
Rinse your mouth with water after using your Aermony inhaler.
Do not use your Aermony inhaler with an air chamber.
- Holding the inhaler upright, pull the cap back until until it clicks.
- Holding the inhaler away and breathe out from your mouth as much as you can and as is comfortable.
- Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips around it so you form a good seal. Do not block the vent above the mouthpiece with your lips or fingers.
- Breathe in quickly and deeply through your mouth.
- Remove the inhaler from your mouth.
- Hold your breath for about 10 seconds.
- Close the green cap.
Handihaler
Before you use this inhaler, check that there is enough medication by looking at how many capsules are left. If you are running low, speak with your doctor or pharmacist about getting a refill of the prescription.
- Open the lid of the inhaler, then push the mouthpiece back revealing the chamber for the capsule.
- Remove a capsule from the blister pack and place the capsule in the chamber
- Close the mouthpiece back over the chamber, it should click closed.
- Squeeze the coloured tab(s) on the bottom of the inhaler and release the tab.
- Exhale away from the inhaler, then place your lips on the mouthpiece.
- Take a deep steady breath in until a full breath is taken and hold for 10 seconds. You should hear the capsule rattle inside.
- Remove your mouth from the inhaler and breathe out slowly.
- Push the mouthpiece back. The capsule should be empty and can be disposed of in the garbage.
- Close mouthpiece and store inhaler with the lid on.
Nasal Sprays
Use Nasal sprays as directed by your doctor.
Give the bottle a shake before use.
- Prior to use of Avamys nasal spray, gently blow your nose to remove excess mucous.
- Remove Avamys Nasal spray from the box and shake the bottle.
- Holding the bottle upright, remove the blue lid from the top of the bottle.
- Hold the spray in the hand opposite to the nostril you are spraying, and gently tug the skin near your nostril to open it slightly wider. See the video above for a demonstration.
- Tilt your head forward and bring the end of the nozzle to one of your nostrils (Point the end of the nozzle away from the center (septum) of your nose.
- Once the tabs have been fully squeezed inwards/the bottle stops spraying medication, remove the nozzle from your nose and breathe through your mouth.
- Repeat the same steps to spray again in the same nostril.
- Then repeat for the other nostril as directed.
SalineNasal Rinse
A saline nasal rinse is a hygienic procedure and can be used several times per day.
Your doctor may recommend the addition of anti-inflammatory steroids to be added to the rinse in the form of Nebules. Which should be used as directed by the doctor.
Do not share bottles.
Always use new water and new salt for every rinsing session, and let the bottle fully dry between uses.
Bottles can be sanitized every few days with a warm mild soapy solution, or microwaved for 2 minutes with a small amount of water inside.
It is recommended to replace your bottles every 3 months.
- You will need fresh water for every rinsing session.
- Boiled water, cooled to room temperature
- Newly opened waterbottle
- Filtered water that has not been standing for more than 4 hours, from a clean container
- Prior to the use of Neilmed nasal rinse, gently blow the excess mucous out of your nose.
- Unscrew the nozzle from the bottle. The nozzle should have a silicone straw attached.
- Pour fresh water in the nasal rinse bottle and fill the nasal rinse bottle up to the dotted line near the top.
- Ensure the water is room lukewarm (you can test a drop of it on your wrist).
- You can warm the water in the microwave or reboil the water
- If you leave water in the bottle for more than 4 hours, get fresh water.
- Add the entire salt packet into the nasal rinse bottle and screw the nozzle back on.
- While leaning over the sink gently squeeze the water into your one nostril at a time in short flushes. Alternate Nostrils as you do this.
- After you have used as much as you need, dump the rest of the solution and rinse the bottle.
- Place bottle unscrewed and upside down to air dry