If your child or an adult uses an HFA every day to control asthma symptoms, you can figure out how long it will last by dividing the total number of puffs in the HFA by the total puffs used every day. For example, if the HFA has 200 puffs and they use four puffs per day, divide 200 by four. In this case, the HFA would last 50 days. Using a calendar, count forward that many days to learn when to discard the HFA and begin using a new one. Many inhalers contain steroids, like prednisone, to treat inflammation. Others have a type of drug called a bronchodilator to open up your airways. Some have both – this is known as a combination inhaler. Canadian Thoracic Society – 2010 Consensus Summary for children six years of age and over, and adults. An asthma inhaler is a handheld device that delivers medication straight into your lungs. You get the drugs faster -- and with fewer side effects -- than you would if you took it by pill or IV.

Hold your breath for the length of time specified for the medicine you are taking to allow the medication to reach your lungs. If you notice your spacer making a whistling sound, that means you’re breathing in too fast. If you need to take another dose, take the mouthpiece or mask away from your face, wait 30 seconds to a minute and shake the inhaler again. Then repeat the steps.Compact version easily fits into school bags, handbags or briefcases to allow easier storage and handling Suggett J et al. The impact of inhalation delay on lung drug delivery: using functional respiratory imaging (FRI) to compare metered dose inhaler (MDI) and MDI/Valved Holding Chamber (VHC) Systems. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2020;201:A5889. Valved holding chambers and spacers are very similar devices; both are plastic tubes that attach to your metered-dose inhaler and are recommended for adults and children. Levy ML et al. Asthma patients’ inability to use a pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) correctly correlates with poor asthma control as defined by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) strategy: a retrospective analysis. Prim Care Respir J. 2013; Dec;22(4):406-11

References: 1. Terzano C (2001). Pressurized metered dose inhalers and add-on devices. Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 14, 351-366. How well do you know your asthma inhaler? What does it do for you? What drugs are in it? Do you puff and breathe, or breathe and puff? Testing of a prototype: Suggett et al. Impact of inhalation delay on medication delivery from a salbutamol HFA pressurized metered dose inhaler used with and without a new prototype portable valved holding chamber. European Respiratory Journal 2019 54:PA4229.Clean the spacer chamber every other day. If you aren’t using it often, you may need to clean it only once a week. Let it air dry, and store it in a clean, dry place when you're not using it. How do I use the inhaler? More than half of people who use an inhaler don’t use it correctly. If you have trouble, a device called a spacer can help. Bronchodilator asthma inhalers are either short- or long-acting. They widen your airways to ease symptoms like wheezing , shortness of breath, and coughing . They include: Many new inhalers include a dose counter to show how much medication is left. It’s hard to tell with older models, most of which make a puff sound long after the medication is gone. This could be a serious problem if you need the inhaler and it’s empty.