ost inhalers follow a standard color system to help patients and HCPs identify the medication inside. Green inhaler, for example, typically contain long-acting beta-agonist preventer medications like Salmeterol (Serevent) and Flovent (fluticasone).
These types of inhalers work to open the airways by dilating them. However, they can be tricky to use correctly.
Easy to Use
Most inhalers are paint a specific color to help you tell them apart. The color system was create when most inhalers were MDIs (meter dose inhalers) and they all look a bit similar. Since different inhalers have varying effects on the body, you want to be sure you are using the right one at the right time.
Adding a spacer to your inhaler can also help you breathe in the medicine more effectively. A spacer has a small holding chamber that keeps the medicine until you breathe in, so it’s less likely to be swallow or stuck on your throat. You can buy a spacer from your doctor, and most kids over 4 can use one with help from their parents or nurse. Babies and children under 4 may need a face mask that can be attach to the valve end of the inhaler.
Some inhalers need to be shaken before each use. The inhaler’s aerosol propellant, which is store in a pressurize canister, requires that the device be shaken to mix the medication and create an even spray. Some of White Inhaler for Asthma are call dry powder inhalers (DPIs) and include a type of steroid that reduces inflammation in your lungs over time, instead of offering quick relief from an asthma attack or flare.
Make sure your child knows how to use their inhaler correctly and bring it to each clinic appointment. The doctor or nurse can make sure it’s clean, and that your child is using it correctly and breathing in deep enough to get the most benefit from it.
Easy to Clean
Keeping your inhaler clean is a key step to maintaining good asthma management. If you’re not cleaning your inhaler properly, it can become clog and lose efficiency. This can be a real problem for people who use their inhaler on a regular basis to manage their asthma. The key is to be familiar with the cleaning process for your inhaler and to keep up with it regularly. Your inhaler should come with clear instructions on how to clean it.
Different puffers and inhalers need to be clean differently. Some need to be dismantle and wash with water, while others only require a wipe-down of the mouthpiece with a dry cloth. If you’re not sure how to care for your device, ask your doctor or pharmacist about it. Depending on your device, you may also need to wash the plastic case.
If you use a dry powder inhaler (DPI), make sure that you’re not using the inhaler too forcefully. Some inhalers require a very forceful spray of the medication into your lungs, such as Advair and Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / salmeterol). You’ll want to rinse out your inhaler before and after each use. This will help prevent buildup of dust particles in the canister. It will also help you avoid inhaling a mist of medication into your eyes when you spray it.
Another important tip is to remember to sit up straight and lift your chin. This will help the medication go deeper into your lungs where it’s need most. The inhaler technique videos in our asthma library can show you exactly how to do this.
All inhalers should be clean regularly to avoid a buildup of bacteria and other debris. It’s best to set a reminder on your phone or create a routine for yourself, so you don’t forget.
Easy to Dispose
The EPA has an online list of disposal options, and most pharmacies also accept expire inhalers for recycling. It’s a good idea to research local options before visiting a pharmacy, however, since options may vary base on location. The DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Program is another option for those who want to return an inhaler for safe disposal.
These contain a medicine call bronchodilator, which works to widen the airways and lungs in response to symptoms. It is usually blue and has a generic name, but different drug companies produce different brands of the same medicine with their own proprietary medicine names.
Using a pMDI involves removing the mouthpiece cover and holding it by the rib edges. Then, you pull the cartridge unit out of the body and slide a disk with numbers on it into the slots on the white wheel at the top of the white red inhaler. When you see a number in the side indicator window that matches with the number on the disk, the disk is full.
Before inhaling, you need to make sure that you are standing or sitting up straight. Breathe in through your nose and mouth slowly for about 10 seconds while pressing the bottom of the canister to release a puff of medicine. Hold your breath for at least 5 seconds after the puff has release, to give the medicine time to reach the lungs and begin working.
In our interviewing process, we found that patients were more willing to shift treatments when they had information about the new MART approach and a clear explanation of why it was better than their current treatment. This was a major factor in their willingness to switch to the new combination treatment, compare to monotherapy.
Easy to Carry
Many asthma medications are inhale, or “inhale into the lungs,” with a special device call an inhaler. The inhaler has a medicine to help your breathing and a propellant that helps it reach the lungs. You might also have a spacer or a valveholding chamber to make it easier for you to breathe the medication in. These devices require a prescription.
It’s important to use your inhaler correctly to get the most benefit from it. You need to be able to catch the medicine when it’s release into the air, which can happen in a very short time, once you press the dose release button. If you don’t, it may stick to the back of your throat or your mouth and not make it into your lungs where it is need.
Inhalers are designe for one person only to use, so you should never share yours. Doing so could spread bacteria, viruses, or respiratory infections among other things. You should also keep your inhaler at room temperature and do not store it in a hot car or cold place, since this can affect how well the medicine works.
Some inhalers have a counter on the base to help you track how many puffs are left. Others have a reminder on the top of the canister that you need to take your next dose. It’s important to keep track of how much you have left, so you don’t run out of medicine before your next doctor’s appointment. You can this by checking the expiration date, counting the number of puffs that are left, and writing every time you use your specialitymedz brand inhaler.
