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Home » Other / Miscellanious » How To Use a Dry Powder Inhaler, Step by Step, Hints, and Tips
It might sound like an easy task but breathing in a medication can actually be a somewhat counterintuitive action for many people. So, it helps to have a good guide on how to use a dry powder inhaler.
Here, we’ve outlined a definitive guide on using a dry powder inhaler, so you can build up confidence in using it. But first, here’s the quick summary of how to use it, then we’ll get into some more details.
How to use a dry powder inhaler – instructions:
That is the quick guide to using a dry powder inhaler, but there are other details you should be familiar with.
A dry powder inhaler delivers medication into the lungs as a very fine powder. Inhaling medicines allows the ingredients in the drug to start working faster than if you were to take that same medication in pill form.
Those that struggle with asthma often need immediate relief. Thus, knowing how to use a dry powder inhaler properly is crucial to ensure the medication is delivered in a way that provides relief.
It is important to mention here that there are two main types of inhalers. Here is a general overview for you.
There are two types of inhalers – DPI (Dry Powder Inhalers) and MDI (Metered Dose Inhalers).
Of these two, DPI’s tend to be more challenging because its breath activated and has several other processes that need to be done correctly when using them.
And knowing how to use them is important not just to be able to get some medication into your lungs, but to be able to get the right dose that your health condition requires.
In other words, failing to use a dry powder inhaler properly means the medications could be less effective for your health condition.
A dry powder is designed to breathe medications into your lungs for easy depositing. One main element that decides how effectively you can use or how effectively your dry powder inhaler can treat your health condition comes from your inhaling capacity.
So, adults and seniors that have trouble taking deep breaths may not benefit greatly from using a dry powder inhaler.
Dry powder inhalers come in different sizes and shapes, and how they work and use them may differ. The brand of dry powder inhaler you are prescribed will depend on what your doctor recommends for you.
The best thing to do is to ask your doctor how to use the inhaler prescribed to you and ask any other questions you may have. Doing this can be the best possible way for you to know how to use your dry powder inhaler.
Your doctor will also be able to help provide tricks and tips on how to use this device for maximum effect, depending on the problems you face and so on.
The final thing you can do is read the instruction of the package or the label that comes with the inhaler.
This will provide a clear breakdown of how to use your dry powder inhaler. If you fill your prescription from the pharmacy, feel free to ask your pharmacist on how to use the inhaler.
With that said, below is some further information and breakdown of how you should use your dry powder inhaler.
As we mentioned, there are two types of dry powder inhalers, namely single-dose DPI’s and Multi-dose DPI’s. How you use them can differ.
In general, below are the steps on how to use a DPI.
Many multi-dose dry powder inhalers come with a built-in dose counter. This dose-counter keeps count of the doses left in your inhaler.
When the counter reads zero, it means the medications are exhausted. Make sure you have another inhaler handy before the counter reads zero.
However, if your multi-dose dry powder inhaler doesn’t have an in-built counter, you will need to keep track of your inhaler count.
Either mentally or keep a note on the number of doses you take. By doing this, you’ll develop a good gauge on when your inhaler will be empty and will need a refill.
Never wash your dry powder inhaler after using or put it under-water. The only way to do it is to wipe using a clean wet cloth or a wipe. Usually, it’s the mouthpiece that you will need to clean often.
Using an inhaler does require some getting used to. We hope this has provided you with a helpful guide, as well as some confidence in how to use a dry powder inhaler.
If you’re having trouble affording any of your medications, then Prescription Hope may be able to help. Enroll with us and see if you qualify to pay only $50 a month for each of your medications.
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