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As of April 29, BMC’s Yawkey building doors are closed as an entrance. All patients and visitors on our main campus must enter the hospital via the Shapiro, Menino, or Moakley buildings, where they will be greeted by team members at a new centralized check-in desk. Learn more.

Using your inhaler the way your provider tells you to is important. This will help you avoid exacerbations or any other issues. The videos below will tell you, step-by-step, the right way to use different inhalers. Please follow these directions, and reach out to your provider if you have any other questions.

HFA Inhalers with Spacer

Your HFA inhaler may be a different color or size, but will be this shape. These inhalers should be used with a spacer.

Advair HFA

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Advair HFA: Controller Medicine (Fluticasone-Salmeterol)

Dark purple boot with light purple cap

Advair HFA

Prime the Inhaler

  1. Hold in upright position and shake the inhaler for five seconds.
  2. Hold your inhaler facing away from you and then release four test sprays.

You must prime your inhaler again if you have not used it in more than four weeks or if you drop it.

Use of Inhaler with Spacer

  1. Remove cap from inhaler.
  2. Shake inhaler for five seconds.
  3. Attach inhaler to the end of the spacer. Take cap off spacer.
  4. Breathe out all the way.
  5. Place lips around spacer and breathe in while pressing down on the inhaler.
  6. Hold breath for 10 seconds.
  7. Exhale slowly.
  8. After each dose, rinse mouth with water. Spit the water – do not swallow.

Symbicort: Controller Medication (Budesonide and formoterol)

Red boot with grey cap

Symbicort

Prime the Inhaler

  1. Hold in upright position and shake the inhaler for five seconds.
  2. Hold your inhaler facing away from you and then release four test sprays.

You must prime your inhaler again if you have not used it in more than four weeks or if you drop it.

Use of Inhaler with Spacer

  1. Remove cap from inhaler.
  2. Shake inhaler for five seconds.
  3. Attach inhaler to the end of the spacer. Take cap off spacer.
  4. Breathe out all the way.
  5. Place lips around spacer and breathe in while pressing down on the inhaler.
  6. Hold breath for 10 seconds.
  7. Exhale slowly.
  8. After each dose, rinse mouth with water. Spit the water – do not swallow.

Dulera: Controller Medication (Mometasone and formoterol)

Blue boot with blue cap

Dulera

Prime the Inhaler

  1. Hold in upright position and shake the inhaler for five seconds.
  2. Hold your inhaler facing away from you and then release four test sprays.

You must prime your inhaler again if you have not used it in more than four weeks or if you drop it.

Use of Inhaler with Spacer

  1. Remove cap from inhaler.
  2. Shake inhaler for five seconds.
  3. Attach inhaler to the end of the spacer. Take cap off spacer.
  4. Breathe out all the way.
  5. Place lips around spacer and breathe in while pressing down on the inhaler.
  6. Hold breath for 10 seconds.
  7. Exhale slowly.
  8. After each dose, rinse mouth with water. Spit the water – do not swallow.

Flovent: Controller Medication (Fluticasone propionate)

Dark orange boot with light orange cap

Flovent

Prime the Inhaler

  1. Hold in upright position and shake the inhaler for five seconds.
  2. Hold your inhaler facing away from you and then release four test sprays.

You must prime your inhaler again if you have not used it in more than four weeks or if you drop it.

Use of Inhaler with Spacer

  1. Remove cap from inhaler.
  2. Shake inhaler for five seconds.
  3. Attach inhaler to the end of the spacer. Take cap off spacer.
  4. Breathe out all the way.
  5. Place lips around spacer and breathe in while pressing down on the inhaler.
  6. Hold breath for 10 seconds.
  7. Exhale slowly.
  8. After each dose, rinse mouth with water. Spit the water – do not swallow.

HFA Inhalers without Spacer

Your HFA inhaler may be a different color or size, but will be this shape. Some can be used with a spacer – see below for more details.

ProAir

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ProAir: Rescue Medication (Albuterol)

Red boot with white cap

ProAir

Prime the Inhaler

  1. Hold in upright position and shake the inhaler for five seconds.
  2. Hold your inhaler facing away from you and then release four test sprays.

You must prime your inhaler again if you have not used it in more than four weeks or if you drop it.

Use of Inhaler (can be used with spacer)

  1. Remove cap from inhaler.
  2. Shake inhaler for five seconds.
  3. Breathe out all the way.
  4. Place lips around inhaler.
  5. Breathe in while pressing down on the inhaler.
  6. Hold breath for 10 seconds.
  7. Exhale slowly.
  8. Recap inhaler.

Xopenex: Rescue Medication (Levalbuterol)

Light blue with red cap

Xopenex

Prime the Inhaler

  1. Hold in upright position and shake the inhaler for five seconds.
  2. Hold your inhaler facing away from you and then release four test sprays.

You must prime your inhaler again if you have not used it in more than four weeks or if you drop it.

Use of Inhaler (can be used with spacer)

  1. Remove cap from inhaler.
  2. Shake inhaler for five seconds.
  3. Breathe out all the way.
  4. Place lips around inhaler.
  5. Breathe in while pressing down on the inhaler.
  6. Hold breath for 10 seconds.
  7. Exhale slowly.
  8. Recap inhaler.

Ventolin: Rescue Medication (Albuterol)

Dark blue boot with navy cap

Ventolin

Prime the Inhaler

  1. Hold in upright position and shake the inhaler for five seconds.
  2. Hold your inhaler facing away from you and then release four test sprays.

You must prime your inhaler again if you have not used it in more than four weeks or if you drop it.

Use of Inhaler (can be used with spacer)

  1. Remove cap from inhaler.
  2. Shake inhaler for five seconds.
  3. Breathe out all the way.
  4. Place lips around inhaler.
  5. Breathe in while pressing down on the inhaler.
  6. Hold breath for 10 seconds.
  7. Exhale slowly.
  8. Recap inhaler.

Proventil: Rescue Medication (Albuterol)

Proventil

Yellow boot with orange cap

Prime the Inhaler

  1. Hold in upright position and shake the inhaler for five seconds.
  2. Hold your inhaler facing away from you and then release four test sprays.

You must prime your inhaler again if you have not used it in more than four weeks or if you drop it.

Use of Inhaler (can be used with spacer)

  1. Remove cap from inhaler.
  2. Shake inhaler for five seconds.
  3. Breathe out all the way.
  4. Place lips around inhaler.
  5. Breathe in while pressing down on the inhaler.
  6. Hold breath for 10 seconds.
  7. Exhale slowly.
  8. Recap inhaler.

AirDuo RespiClick: Rescue Medication (Albuterol sulfate)

  1. Hold the inhaler upright and open the red cap fully until you feel and hear a “click.”.
  2. Each time you open the red cap and it “clicks,” a dose of PROAIR RESPICLICK is ready to be inhaled.
  3. Breathe in quickly and deeply through your mouth, to deliver the dose of medicine to your lungs.
  4. Remove the inhaler from your mouth.
  5. Hold your breath for about 10 seconds or for as long as you comfortably can.
  6. Your PROAIR RESPICLICK inhaler delivers your dose of medicine as a very fine powder that you may or may not taste or feel. Do not take an extra dose from the inhaler even if you do not taste or feel the medicine.
  7. Close the red cap firmly over the mouthpiece.
  8. Make sure you close the red cap after each inhalation so that the inhaler will be ready for your next dose.
  9. If you need another dose, close the red cap and then repeat the above steps.

Diskus Inhalers

Your diskus inhaler may be a different color or size, but will be this shape:

Advair

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Advair: Controller Medication (fluticasone and salmeterol)

Dark purple disk with light purple lever

Advair

**Do not get this inhaler wet.

Use of Discus

  1. Hold the discus in one hand, making sure it’s level.
  2. Put the thumb of your other hand on the notch and push towards the back until it snaps and the mouthpiece and lever are revealed.
  3. Slide the lever away from you until it clicks. This loads the medication.
  4. Turn away from the discus and breathe out as much air as you comfortably can.
  5. Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and breathe in as steadily and deeply as you can.
  6. Remove the discus from your mouth, holding your breath for 5-10 seconds.
  7. Breathe out slowly.
  8. Close the discus by sliding the thumb grip towards you.
  9. Rinse mouth with water. Spit the water – do not swallow

Serevent: Controller Medication (Salmeterol)

Dark green disk with light green lever

**Do not get this inhaler wet.

Use of Discus

  1. Hold the discus in one hand, making sure it’s level.
  2. Put the thumb of your other hand on the notch and push towards the back until it snaps and the mouthpiece and lever are revealed.
  3. Slide the lever away from you until it clicks. This loads the medication.
  4. Turn away from the discus and breathe out as much air as you comfortably can.
  5. Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and breathe in as steadily and deeply as you can.
  6. Remove the discus from your mouth, holding your breath for 5-10 seconds.
  7. Breathe out slowly.
  8. Close the discus by sliding the thumb grip towards you.
  9. Rinse mouth with water. Spit the water – do not swallow

Flovent: Controller Medication (fluticasone)

Dark orange disk with light orange lever

Flovent

**Do not get this inhaler wet.

Use of Discus

  1. Hold the discus in one hand, making sure it’s level.
  2. Put the thumb of your other hand on the notch and push towards the back until it snaps and the mouthpiece and lever are revealed.
  3. Slide the lever away from you until it clicks. This loads the medication.
  4. Turn away from the discus and breathe out as much air as you comfortably can.
  5. Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and breathe in as steadily and deeply as you can.
  6. Remove the discus from your mouth, holding your breath for 5-10 seconds.
  7. Breathe out slowly.
  8. Close the discus by sliding the thumb grip towards you.
  9. Rinse mouth with water. Spit the water – do not swallow

Wixela Diskus: Controller Medication (fluticasone and salmeterol)

**Do not get this inhaler wet.

  1. Open your Wixela Inhub.
  2. Push down the lever.
  3. Exhale fully.
  4. Inhale your medicine.
  5. Close the Inhub.
  6. Rinse your mouth.

Ellipta Inhalers

Your ellipta inhaler may be a different color or size, but will be this shape.

Trelegy

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Trelegy Ellipta: Controller Medication (Fluticasone, Umeclidinium and Vilanterol)

Trelegy

**Do not get this inhaler wet.

Open:

  • Slide the cover down until you hear a “click.”
  • While holding the inhaler away from your mouth, breathe out as far as is comfortable.

Inhale:

  • Put the mouthpiece between your lips, and close your lips firmly around it.
  • Take one long, steady, deep breath in and hold this breath for at least 3-4 seconds.

Close:

  • Remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out slowly and gently.
  • Slide the cover upwards as far as it will go to cover the mouthpiece.

Arnuity Ellipta: Controller Medication (Fluticasone furoate)

Arnuity

**Do not get this inhaler wet.

Open:

  • Slide the cover down until you hear a “click.”
  • While holding the inhaler away from your mouth, breathe out as far as is comfortable.

Inhale:

  • Put the mouthpiece between your lips, and close your lips firmly around it.
  • Take one long, steady, deep breath in and hold this breath for at least 3-4 seconds.

Close:

  • Remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out slowly and gently.
  • Slide the cover upwards as far as it will go to cover the mouthpiece.

Anoro Ellipta: Controller Medication (umeclidinium and vilanterol)

Anoro Ellipta

**Do not get this inhaler wet.

Open:

  • Slide the cover down until you hear a “click.”
  • While holding the inhaler away from your mouth, breathe out as far as is comfortable.

Inhale:

  • Put the mouthpiece between your lips, and close your lips firmly around it.
  • Take one long, steady, deep breath in and hold this breath for at least 3-4 seconds.

Close:

  • Remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out slowly and gently.
  • Slide the cover upwards as far as it will go to cover the mouthpiece.

Breo Ellipta: Controller Medication (fluticasone and vilanterol)

Breo Ellipta

**Do not get this inhaler wet.

Open:

  • Slide the cover down until you hear a “click.”
  • While holding the inhaler away from your mouth, breathe out as far as is comfortable.

Inhale:

  • Put the mouthpiece between your lips, and close your lips firmly around it.
  • Take one long, steady, deep breath in and hold this breath for at least 3-4 seconds.

Close:

  • Remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out slowly and gently.
  • Slide the cover upwards as far as it will go to cover the mouthpiece.

Incruse Ellipta: Controller Medication (umeclidinium)

Incruse

**Do not get this inhaler wet.

Open:

  • Slide the cover down until you hear a “click.”
  • While holding the inhaler away from your mouth, breathe out as far as is comfortable.

Inhale:

  • Put the mouthpiece between your lips, and close your lips firmly around it.
  • Take one long, steady, deep breath in and hold this breath for at least 3-4 seconds.

Close:

  • Remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out slowly and gently.
  • Slide the cover upwards as far as it will go to cover the mouthpiece.

Respimat

Your respimat inhaler may be a different color or size, but will be this shape.

Respimat

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Spiriva Respimat: Controller Medication (tiotropium)

Respimat

Inserting the cartridge:

  • With the cap closed, press the safety catch while removing the clear base.
  • Push the narrow end of the cartridge into the inhaler until it clicks. Push the cartridge firmly against a surface.
  • Press the dose release button and repeat this process until a cloud of mist is visible.

Priming the inhaler:

  • With the cap closed, hold the inhaler upright and turn the clear base to the right until it clicks.
  • Open the cap until it snaps open and point the inhaler towards the ground. Press dose-release button until mist is visible.
  • Put the clear base back on the device. It should click into place. The clear base should not be removed after this step.

Three steps for daily use:

  • Turn: Keep cap closed. Turn base to the right until you hear a click.
  • Open: Pull the cap open, and breathe out.
  • Press: Close lips around mouthpiece without covering air vents. Inhale deeply through your mouth, press the dose-release button, and continue to breathe in slowly. Hold your breath for 10 seconds, then exhale.

Combivent Respimat: Rescue Medication (ipratropium)

Combivent

Inserting the cartridge:

  • With the cap closed, press the safety catch while removing the clear base.
  • Push the narrow end of the cartridge into the inhaler until it clicks. Push the cartridge firmly against a surface.
  • Press the dose release button and repeat this process until a cloud of mist is visible.

Priming the inhaler:

  • With the cap closed, hold the inhaler upright and turn the clear base to the right until it clicks.
  • Open the cap until it snaps open and point the inhaler towards the ground. Press dose-release button until mist is visible.
  • Put the clear base back on the device. It should click into place. The clear base should not be removed after this step.

Three steps for daily use:

  • Turn: Keep cap closed. Turn base to the right until you hear a click.
  • Open: Pull the cap open, and breathe out.
  • Press: Close lips around mouthpiece without covering air vents. Inhale deeply through your mouth, press the dose-release button, and continue to breathe in slowly. Hold your breath for 10 seconds, then exhale.

Handihaler

Your HandiHaler will look like this:

Spiriva

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Spiriva HandiHaler: Controller Medication (tiotropium)

Spiriva

**Do not get this inhaler wet.

  1. Open the dust cap, then the mouthpiece.
  2. Insert the capsule in the chamber.
  3. Close the mouthpiece firmly until you hear a click.
  4. Press the green button once to pierce the capsule, then release.
  5. Breathe out.
  6. With lips tightly around mouthpiece, inhale deeply and slowly.
  7. Hold for 10 seconds.
  8. Repeat.