How To Use Metered Dose Inhaler Correctly?

Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) is one of the most common Inhaler available to deliver medication to the lung effortlessly. It uses a propellant to fire the medication from the mouth piece. In the past, the propellant was a mixture of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gasses but due to environmental concern, the developers have substituted it with non-chlorofluorocarbon gasses.

The inhaler is useful to administer the controlled amount to be blasted into the lungs. The function of this inhaler it to treat asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory diseases. The metered dose inhaler is consist of three important part and that is:

• the canister- this is where the mixture of medication resides

• the metering valve- this is the right amount of mixture are being dispense at each activation

• the mouth piece or the actuator- this is where the connection between the mouth and the inhaler

Procedures to use Metered Dose Inhaler correctly:

• shake the inhaler to mix the medication thoroughly

• remove the covering from the metered dose inhaler

• make very sure there are no foreign object in and around the mouth piece or the actuator

• you may sit or stand in a very stable position and make sure that you are being supported when you fire up the propellant

• bring the mouth piece to the mouth with no leakage from the connection

• breath in slowly while you activate the inhaler

• continue the breathing slowly until your lungs are full

• hold on the full breath for as long as you could or at least for 10 seconds to make the medication takes it course

• release your breath as slowly as you breath in

• remember to rinse your mouth and brush your teeth after every treatment session

Please take note that in as early as December 2008, chlorofluorocarbons has been shelved as a propellant for the MDI to protect our Earth's ozone with the full implementation in 2010.

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