-
Not priming inhaler before first use or after not using for more than one week
Why: Priming is important especially during the first use of each canister or after not using for 7 days. This is to avoid getting the wrong mixture of propellant and medicine when you use it. It also serves to ensure effective dose administered.
To fix: For new inhaler or inhaler that is not used for 7 days, prime it by releasing 3 to 4 test sprays (with shakes in between each sprays).
Image credit: WebMD
-
Not having a tight lip seal while administrating
Why: This is to ensure the whole dose of medicine goes to where it is needed the most. If your lips are loose enough to let air out when you take a puff, the medication is likely to sink and settle in your mouth rather than going into your lungs, which means that the medication most likely will not work.
To fix: Close the lips around the mouthpiece of the spacer or inhaler so air does not escape. Make sure to not bite with teeth too.
-
Not shaking the inhaler before each use
Why: Shaking the inhaler each time before every puff evens out the medicine within the inhaler. There is a “propellant” in the inhaler to help push the medication into your lungs and shaking is important to make sure you do not get too much or too little of medicine in each dose.
To fix: Hold the inhaler upright and shake fairly hard for 10 to 15 times before each puff.
-
Having an incorrect posture/inhaler aim badly during administration
Why: When you hunch or have a bad posture, it does not allow the lungs to take in as much air, or push it out as well, which are important steps when administering an asthma inhaler. This affects the amount of medication getting into your lungs for it to exert effects.
To fix: Sitting up straight or standing up allow fuller inhalation as well as exhalation.
-
Breathe in too early/too late
Why: The timing of inhalation plays a vital role in how much medication will reach your lungs and take effect. If you breathe in too early, your lungs might get full before you are able to breathe in the full dose, and some medication might just end up in the mouth or throat which does not serve a purpose. If you breathe in too late, the medication might just stick to the inner wall of the mouth, except for if you are using a spacer.
To fix: It is highly recommended to add a spacer to your inhaler. It holds a dose in a small tube so you can breathe it in when you are ready.
-
Breathe out too early
Why: It takes a short amount of time for the medication to settle in the lungs. Breathing out right after might affect the medication and results in suboptimal dose.
To fix: Hold your breath for about 5 to 10 seconds after you take in a dose.
-
Not waiting in between puffs
Why: It is important to take note that you should wait in between puffs for the first dose to settle in the lungs before administering another dose. During the wait, another step that should be carried out too is to shake the inhaler before the next puff.
To fix: Wait for around 1 minute between every puff.
Image credit: News Medical
-
Not breathing the right way for your type of inhaler
Why: There are two main types of inhaler – dry powder inhalers and pressurised Metered Dose Inhalers (pMDIs).
-
For pMDI, you need to breathe in slow and steady.
-
For dry powder inhaler you need to breathe in strongly and deeply until your lungs feel full, to be sure you inhale all the medicine.
To fix: Know the type of your inhaler and consult a doctor or pharmacist whenever necessary to ensure good control of your asthma condition.
References:
- https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhalers-medicines-treatments/inhalers-and-spacers/common-inhaler-mistakes/
- https://www.nationaljewish.org/conditions/health-information/health-infographics/top-10-inhaler-mistakes-adults-make
- https://www.webmd.com/asthma/ss/slideshow-asthma-inhaler-mistakes
