This document provides detailed instructions for using various inhaler devices, focusing on their function, usage, and maintenance.
Accuhaler
Function Description: The Accuhaler is a dry powder inhaler designed to deliver a single dose of medication for inhalation. It contains a lactose carrier, which gives the medication a sweet taste.
Usage Features:
- Opening: Hold the outer casing upright with one hand and push the thumb grip away until a click is heard.
- Preparing a Dose: Hold the Accuhaler with the mouthpiece towards you and slide the lever away until it clicks. This action makes a dose available and advances the dose counter.
- Inhalation: Breathe out fully, away from the device. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and seal your lips around it. Inhale quickly and deeply.
- Post-Inhalation: Remove the Accuhaler from your mouth and hold your breath for approximately 10 seconds.
- Closing: To close the device, slide the outer casing back towards you as far as it will go until it clicks.
- Subsequent Doses: For the next dose, repeat steps 1-5. Only one dose of medication is available at a time.
Maintenance Features: Not explicitly detailed, but implied by the single-dose mechanism and closing procedure.
Breezhaler
Function Description: The Breezhaler is a capsule-based dry powder inhaler that delivers medication by piercing a capsule and allowing the user to inhale the powder.
Usage Features:
- Opening: Hold the device upright and lift off the cover. Hold the base and push back on the mouthpiece until the lid opens completely.
- Capsule Preparation: Peel back the foil (immediately before use) using the foil tab until one capsule is fully visible. Discard any capsules inadvertently exposed to the air.
- Loading Capsule: Remove a capsule and place it in the chamber in the middle of the Breezhaler.
- Closing and Piercing: Close the mouthpiece and press down until you hear a click. Press the blue button on the sides of the device as far as it will go (just once) and then release; this will pierce the capsule, and you will hear a click.
- Inhalation: Hold the inhaler upright with the mouthpiece pointing upwards. Breathe out completely, being careful not to breathe into the inhaler. Seal your lips tightly around the mouthpiece. Sitting upright with your head upright, breathe in quickly and deeply. You should hear the capsule vibrate when you breathe in correctly.
- Post-Inhalation: Remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out normally. Hold your breath for as long as is comfortable.
- Checking Capsule: Open the lid and check if the capsule is empty.
- Disposal: Tip out the empty capsule and throw it away.
Maintenance Features: Not explicitly detailed, but the process of loading and disposing of capsules implies a clean chamber for each use.
Easi-Breathe
Function Description: The Easi-Breathe is an inhaler designed for steady inhalation, indicated by a "puffing" sound.
Usage Features:
- Preparation: Shake the inhaler. Hold the device upright. Open the cap.
- Exhalation: Breathe out fully.
- Positioning: Keep the inhaler upright and place the mouthpiece in your mouth, closing your teeth and lips around it. Do not cover the air holes on the top of the device.
- Inhalation: Breathe in steadily through the mouthpiece. Continue to breathe in steadily when the inhaler "puffs."
- Post-Inhalation: Hold your breath for about 10 seconds.
- Closing: Continue to hold the inhaler upright and close the cap immediately.
- Subsequent Doses: For a second dose, wait a few seconds before repeating steps 1-8.
Maintenance Features: Not explicitly detailed, but the cap closure helps protect the mouthpiece.
Easyhaler
Function Description: The Easyhaler is a dry powder inhaler that delivers medication after a single press of the top. It contains a lactose carrier, which gives the medication a sweet taste.
Usage Features:
- Preparation: Shake the device and then hold it in an upright position. Remove the mouthpiece and cap.
- Dose Activation: Press the top of the device once. You will hear a click.
- Inhalation: Breathe out fully and then place the mouthpiece of the Easyhaler between your teeth. Close and seal your lips around the mouthpiece. Take a strong and deep breath through the device.
- Post-Inhalation: Hold your breath for 10 seconds, then breathe out, away from the device.
- Subsequent Doses: Repeat steps 3 to 5 if you need to take another dose of inhaler medicine.
- Closing: Replace the mouthpiece cap.
Maintenance Features: Replacing the mouthpiece cap helps protect the device.
Ellipta
Function Description: The Ellipta is a dry powder inhaler that delivers a single dose of medication upon opening the cover. It includes a dose counter.
Usage Features:
- Opening: Hold the device upright and open the cover once you are ready to take a dose. Slide the cover down until you hear a 'click'.
- Exhalation: While holding the inhaler away from your mouth, breathe out as far as is comfortable.
- Positioning: Place the mouthpiece between your lips and close your lips firmly around it.
- Inhalation: Take one long, steady deep breath in.
- Post-Inhalation: Hold your breath for at least 3-4 seconds. Remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out slowly.
- Closing: Slide the cover upwards as far as it will go to cover the mouthpiece.
Maintenance Features: Not explicitly detailed, but the cover protects the mouthpiece and internal mechanism.
Flo-Tone Device and Pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI)
Function Description: The Flo-Tone device is an accessory used with a pMDI to help users achieve optimal inhalation technique, indicated by a whistling sound.
Usage Features:
- Initial Setup (Flo-Tone CR): Secure the cap to the Flo-Tone CR (for first use).
- pMDI Preparation: Remove the cap from your pMDI and check for debris. If the device has not been used for over a week, let off one dose by holding the device upright and pressing down on the canister. Shake the inhaler.
- Assembly: Insert the Flo-Tone CR into the pMDI mouthpiece.
- Exhalation: Breathe out fully.
- Positioning: Hold the device upright. Place the Flo-Tone CR mouthpiece in your mouth between your teeth and seal your lips around it.
- Inhalation and Activation: Inhale gently to activate the Flo-Tone CR whistle and press the canister down. Breathe in steadily and deeply, keeping the Flo-Tone whistling.
- Post-Inhalation: Hold your breath for 10 seconds, or as long as possible, and then breathe out gently.
- Subsequent Doses: Wait for 30 seconds before repeating steps 2-8.
- Closing: Replace the Flo-Tone cap and leave it inserted within the pMDI device.
Maintenance Features: The Flo-Tone cap protects the mouthpiece. The instruction to check for debris implies a need for cleanliness.
Genuair
Function Description: The Genuair is a dry powder inhaler with a control window that changes color (red to green, then green to red) to indicate dose availability and correct inhalation. It includes a button at the back to prepare the dose.
Usage Features:
- Opening: Keep the device level. Remove the mouthpiece cap by squeezing the arrows at the sides gently and sliding forwards.
- Positioning: Hold the device horizontally with the mouthpiece towards you.
- Dose Preparation: Press down the button at the back of the inhaler (at the opposite end to the mouthpiece) all the way down and release, until you hear a click. The control window at the mouthpiece end of the device will change from red to green. Do not hold the button down while inhaling.
- Exhalation: Breathe out fully away from the inhaler. Do not breathe out into the device.
- Positioning: Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and seal your lips around the mouthpiece.
- Inhalation: Breathe in fully and deeply through the device even after you hear the click to ensure the full dose is inhaled. You will hear a click if you breathe through the device correctly, and the control window will change from green to red. If the control window has changed to red, the dose has been inhaled correctly.
- Post-Inhalation: Hold your breath for a few seconds before taking the device out of your mouth and breathing out slowly through the nose.
- Subsequent Doses: Repeat steps 2 to 10 if a further dose of inhaler medicine is needed.
- Closing: Replace the mouthpiece cap.
Maintenance Features: The mouthpiece cap protects the device. The device locks when only one dose is left, indicating end-of-life.
Handihaler
Function Description: The Handihaler is a capsule-based dry powder inhaler that delivers medication by piercing a capsule and allowing the user to inhale the powder.
Usage Features:
- Opening: Hold the device upright and open the lid. Press the green piercing button completely in and let go. Open the lid completely by pulling it upwards. Then open the mouthpiece by pulling it upwards.
- Capsule Preparation: Separate the blister strips by tearing along the perforations. Peel back the foil (immediately before use) using the foil tab until one capsule is fully visible. Discard any capsules that have been inadvertently exposed to the air.
- Loading Capsule: Remove a capsule and place it in the chamber in the middle of the Handihaler.
- Closing and Piercing: Close the mouthpiece and press down until you hear a click. Press the green button on the side as far as it will go and then release (this will pierce the capsule, once only).
- Inhalation: To inhale the medicine, breathe out completely. Be careful not to breathe out into the inhaler. Seal your lips tightly around the mouthpiece. Sitting upright and keeping your head upright, breathe in slowly and deeply. You will hear the capsule vibrate when you breathe in correctly.
- Post-Inhalation: Hold your breath for as long as is comfortable. Remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out normally.
- Checking and Disposal: To empty the capsule, open the lid and mouthpiece. Tip out the capsule and throw it away.
- Closing: Close the mouthpiece and lid.
Maintenance Features: The process of loading and disposing of capsules implies a clean chamber for each use.
Nexthaler
Function Description: The Nexthaler is a dry powder inhaler with a dose counter and an air vent. It delivers medication upon a quick, deep breath, indicated by a click.
Usage Features:
- Opening: Open the cover fully with your inhaler in the upright position.
- Dose Check: Note the number of doses left on the dose counter.
- Positioning: Sit or stand upright.
- Exhalation: Breathe out as far as is comfortable. Do not breathe out through your inhaler.
- Positioning: Seal your lips around the mouthpiece. Do not cover the air vent when holding the device. Do not inhale through the air vent.
- Inhalation: Take a quick, deep breath through your mouth. You will hear or feel a click when the dose has been released from the device. After the click, continue to inhale deeply to ensure the dose reaches the lungs (5 seconds).
- Post-Inhalation: Remove the inhaler from your mouth. Hold your breath for 10 seconds. Breathe out slowly.
- Closing: Close the cover fully with the inhaler in the upright position.
- Dose Confirmation: Check that the dose counter has gone down by one. This indicates that you have successfully inhaled a dose.
- Subsequent Doses: If you need to take another dose, repeat steps 1-16.
Maintenance Features: The cover protects the mouthpiece and internal mechanism.
Pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI)
Function Description: The pMDI delivers a measured dose of medication as a spray.
Usage Features:
- Preparation: Remove the cap and check the pMDI for debris. If you have not used the device for over a week, let off one dose by holding the device upright and pressing down on the canister. Shake the inhaler.
- Exhalation: Breathe out fully.
- Positioning: Hold the device upright. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth between your teeth and seal your lips around it.
- Inhalation and Activation: Inhale gently. Press the canister down. Breathe in steadily and deeply.
- Post-Inhalation: Hold your breath for 10 seconds, or as long as possible, and then breathe out gently.
- Subsequent Doses: Wait for 30 seconds before repeating steps 2-8.
- Closing: Replace the cap.
Maintenance Features: The cap protects the mouthpiece. Checking for debris implies a need for cleanliness.
Autohaler
Function Description: The Autohaler is a breath-activated inhaler that delivers medication when the user takes a deep breath, indicated by a 'click'.
Usage Features:
- Preparation: Remove the protective mouthpiece cap. Shake the inhaler. Hold the inhaler upright and push the lever right up.
- Exhalation: Breathe out gently.
- Positioning: Keep the inhaler upright. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and seal your lips around it. The air holes must not be blocked at the base of the device.
- Inhalation: Breathe in steadily through your mouth. Do not stop breathing when the inhaler 'clicks' and continue taking a really deep breath.
- Post-Inhalation: Hold your breath for 10 seconds. Breathe out gently.
- Subsequent Doses: Wait several seconds before repeating steps 2-11 for a second dose. The lever must be pushed up ('on') before each dose and pushed down again ('off') afterwards, otherwise it will not operate.
- Closing: Replace the cap.
- Priming (First Use): If using the device for the first time, it should be primed by lifting the lever on the top and then pushing the white slide on the bottom of the device to release the medication. Repeat this action one more time.
Maintenance Features: The protective mouthpiece cap helps keep the device clean. The lever mechanism requires specific positioning for operation and protection.
Pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI) and Spacer (Tidal Breathing Technique)
Function Description: This combination uses a pMDI with a spacer (e.g., Volumatic) to improve drug delivery, especially for those who find it difficult to coordinate pMDI use. The spacer helps ensure the medication reaches the lungs effectively. A whistling sound indicates breathing in too quickly.
Usage Features:
- pMDI Preparation: Remove the cap and check the pMDI for debris. If you have not used the device for over a week, let off one dose by holding the device upright and pressing down on the canister. Shake the inhaler.
- Assembly: Hold the device upright and place the pMDI mouthpiece into the back of the spacer.
- Spacer Preparation: Remove the cap from the mouthpiece of the spacer, if applicable.
- Positioning: Place the mouthpiece between your teeth and seal your lips around it.
- Activation: Press the canister down once to release a dose.
- Inhalation (Tidal Breathing): Breathe in and out slowly and gently 5 times. You should hear a clicking noise with Volumatic spacers.
- Subsequent Doses: Wait for 30 seconds before repeating steps 2-8.
- Closing: Replace the cap.
- Troubleshooting: If you hear a whistling sound, you have breathed in too quickly.
Maintenance Features: The cap protects the mouthpiece. Checking for debris implies a need for cleanliness.
Respimat
Function Description: The Respimat is a soft mist inhaler that delivers medication as a fine spray. It requires initial preparation and a specific sequence of turning the base, opening the cap, and pressing the dose release button.
Usage Features:
Preparing the Respimat inhaler for the first time:
- Disassembly: With the plastic cap closed, press the aqua safety catch and pull off the clear base from the inhaler.
- Cartridge Insertion: Take the cartridge out of the box. Push the narrow end of the cartridge into the inhaler. The base cartridge will not sit flush with the inhaler. Push the cartridge gently against a firm surface to ensure that it has gone all the way into the inhaler. Do not remove the cartridge once it has been inserted into the inhaler.
- Reassembly: Put the clear base back in place. Do not remove the clear base again.
- Priming: Hold the Respimat inhaler upright, with the plastic cap closed. Turn the base firmly until it clicks (half a turn). Open the aqua plastic cap until it is fully open. Point the Respimat inhaler towards the ground. Press the dose release button. Close the plastic cap. Repeat these steps 1-3 until a spray is visible. Once the spray is visible, you must repeat steps 1-3 three more times to make sure the inhaler is prepared for use.
How to use the Respimat inhaler:
- Preparation: Hold the Respimat inhaler upright, with the lid closed. Turn the clear base firmly until it clicks (half a turn). Open the plastic cap until it is fully open.
- Exhalation: Breathe out slowly and fully and then place the mouthpiece in the mouth and seal your lips around it without covering the air vents.
- Inhalation and Activation: While taking in a slow, deep breath through your mouth, press the dose release button and continue to breathe in slowly for as long as you can.
- Post-Inhalation: Remove the Respimat from your mouth and hold your breath for about 10 seconds.
- Closing: Replace the cap after use.
- Maintenance Puff: If the Respimat inhaler has not been used for more than 7 days, release one puff towards the ground.
Maintenance Features: The clear base and plastic cap protect the internal components. The priming process ensures proper function. The instruction to release a puff after 7 days of non-use serves as a maintenance step.
Turbohaler
Function Description: The Turbohaler is a dry powder inhaler that delivers medication after a specific twisting action of the grip base.
Usage Features:
- Opening: Unscrew and lift off the white cover.
- Dose Preparation: Hold the inhaler upright and twist the grip base as far as it will go in both directions. You will hear a clicking sound.
- Exhalation: Breathe out fully away from the Turbohaler mouthpiece.
- Positioning: Place the mouthpiece between your teeth and seal your lips.
- Inhalation: Breathe in as deeply as possible.
- Post-Inhalation: Remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out.
- Subsequent Doses: For a further dose, repeat steps 2-7.
- Closing: Replace the white cover.
Maintenance Features: The white cover protects the mouthpiece. The twisting action ensures a fresh dose is prepared.
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