Caring for and using an asthma inhaler

Use the instructions supplied with your specific device because cleaning and breathing technique vary between pressurised, breath-actuated and dry-powder inhalers. Keep the medicine available when prescribed for relief, and do not share an inhaler or change its schedule without clinical advice.

An inhaler delivers a measured medicine dose toward the airways, but mistiming the breath, failing to seal the lips or using the wrong inhalation speed can leave medicine in the mouth or device. Pressurised inhalers often need a slow, steady breath coordinated with actuation; many dry-powder devices need a forceful, deep breath.

A spacer may make a compatible pressurised inhaler easier to use and reduce medicine deposition in the mouth. Maintenance inhalers and relievers have different jobs. Check the printed name and prescription rather than identifying them only by colour, because devices can look similar.

Keep the mouthpiece capped and free of dust. Clean the device only by the manufacturer's method: some plastic parts can be washed after the medicine canister is removed, while dry-powder devices generally need to remain dry. Let washable components air-dry fully before reassembly, and never puncture or expose a canister to high heat.

Check the dose counter when present and keep track of doses if there is no counter. Replace the inhaler by its expiry date or when its usable doses are finished, even if it still makes a sound. Bring every inhaler and spacer to appointments so a clinician or pharmacist can inspect them and observe your technique.

Seek emergency help for severe breathlessness, inability to speak normally, blue or grey lips, confusion, faintness or worsening symptoms that do not respond to the reliever instructions in your asthma action plan. Do not spend time cleaning, testing or replacing parts of the device while someone is in serious breathing distress.

Ask the clinician to demonstrate the technique and then watch you repeat it. Confirm whether your device works with a spacer, how its mouthpiece should be cleaned, how to recognise an empty inhaler and what to do after a missed maintenance dose. Mention throat irritation, hoarseness, tremor or a fast heartbeat after use.