Instructions for Using an MDI With a Holding Chamber
To make your breathing better, you
MUST take your medicine as explained
below. Following these instructions
puts more of the medicine into your
lungs. This will help you breathe
easier and feel better.
Ask your health-care provider or
pharmacist to show you how to place
your inhaler into or in front of your
mouth and how to coordinate your
inhalation with the spray. Also ask
how many doses of medicine your
MDI contains when it is full. If it does
not have a built-in dose counter, keep
track of how many doses you use so
you can refill your prescription before
you run out of medicine. Before using
your MDI, please read the instructions
that came with it, and follow the
priming and cleaning directions
carefully.
1
5
SLOW, DEEP BREATH
SHAKE WELL
STEP 1: Take the cap off your MDI.
Check for and remove any dust, lint,
or other objects. Shake the MDI well, if
patient instructions recommend it.
2
STEP 5: Take a SLOW, DEEP breath
through your mouth. Breathe in as much
air as you can. Try to fill up your lungs
completely.
6
ATTACH MDI
STEP 2: Attach the MDI to the holding
chamber.
3
EXHALE FULLY
HOLD BREATH
STEP 6: Remove the mouthpiece from
your mouth and hold your breath for 10
seconds. If you cannot hold your breath
for 10 seconds, hold your breath for as
long as you can.
7
STEP 3: Sit up straight or stand. Exhale
fully, emptying your lungs as much as
possible.
WAIT 1 MINUTE, SHAKE
STEP 7: If you need to take another
dose of medicine, wait 1 minute. After 1
minute, shake the inhaler again if patient
instructions recommend it, and repeat
steps 3 through 6.
4
PRESS DOWN
STEP 4: Put the mouthpiece of the
holding chamber in your mouth. Close
your lips around the mouthpiece and
make a tight seal. Press down on the
MDI. This puts one dose of medicine into
the chamber. NEVER load more than one
dose into the chamber.
8
RINSE IF CORTICOSTEROID
STEP 8: Remove the MDI from the
chamber and recap both devices. If
your medicine is a corticosteroid, rinse
your mouth with water after you have
taken your last puff of medicine. Make
sure you spit the water out – DO NOT
SWALLOW IT.
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