3117 YLH How to Use a Respimat Inhaler
0 (0 Likes / 0 Dislikes)
Hello.
A variety of inhaler devices are available to treat lung conditions.
This video will show you how to
use your Respimat Inhaler.
If you use your inhaler correctly, you will get more of the medication
into your lungs, giving you better control of your breathing problem.
But if used incorrectly, you may have poor control of your condition,
with the risk of side effects such as a sore throat or mouth infection.
Before using your Respimat
inhaler for the first time,
you need to insert
a cartridge of medication.
With the cap in place,
press the safety catch
and pull off the clear base.
Insert the narrow end of
the cartridge into the inhaler.
Push the bottom of the
cartridge against a hard surface
to ensure it has
gone in all of the way.
Replace the clear base.
You now need to prime the inhaler.
Twist the base in the direction
of the arrows on the label
until you a hear a click,
about half a turn.
Flip the cap until it clicks
into the open position.
Point the inhaler to the
ground and press the
dose release button once,
and then close the cap.
You need to repeat this
sequence of twisting the base,
opening the cap, pressing
the dose release button
and closing the cap, until a
cloud of medication is visible.
Once you see a cloud, you need to repeat the process 3 more times
before your inhaler is
ready to be used.
You should always sit upright or stand up when using your inhaler.
Hold the Respimat upright,
with the cap closed.
As before, turn the base of
the inhaler in the direction of
the arrows on the label until it clicks.
Open the cap until it clicks into the open position.
When you are ready, breathe out gently as far as you comfortably can,
but not into the mouthpiece.
Now place the mouthpiece into your mouth and between your teeth,
but don't bite down on it.
Close your lips around the mouthpiece to form a tight seal.
Be careful not to cover the air vent with your fingers.
Make sure that the
inhaler is horizontal,
with the mouthpiece pointing
directly to the back of your throat.
Start breathing in slowly
and deeply through
your mouth before pressing
the dose release button.
Continue to breathe in
slowly for as long as you can.
Remove the inhaler from your mouth while holding your breath
for up to 10 seconds, or for
as long as is comfortable.
Now breathe out slowly and gently, away from the mouthpiece.
In order to take a full dose of medication you need to inhale
two puffs of medication. So after the
first puff, breathe out fully
and repeat the process.
Once complete, close the cap.
A click indicates that
it is closed securely.
If your Respimat inhaler contains a steroid, brush your teeth, or rinse
your mouth with water and
spit it out after every use
to prevent mouth infections.
Ask your pharmacist if
you are unsure whether
your inhaler contains a steroid.
To keep your inhaler
in good working condition
you should follow our care advice:
Do not remove the cartridge
once it has been inserted.
If the Respimat has not
been used for more than 7 days
you should release one puff towards the ground before using it.
If the Respimat inhaler has
not been used for 21 days,
it should be primed again.
Throw away your inhaler after you have been using it for 3 months.
You should clean the mouthpiece of your inhaler, including the metal part
inside, with a damp cloth or
tissue, at least once a week.
There are a few common
problems people encounter
with their Respimat inhaler:
If the base of your inhaler does not turn easily it either means
that the inhaler is
ready to use, or it is empty
and you need to
start a new inhaler.
If you can’t press the dose
release button it means you
have not turned the base far enough.
If the base springs back after you turn it, you have not
turned it far enough.
Remember to listen for the click
when you turn the base.
If you are able to turn the base further than usual it may mean
that the dose release button has been pressed. To solve the problem,
close the cap and start again.
A dose indicator on the inhaler will tell you approximately how
many doses you have left.
When the dose indicator enters the red area of the scale there is
approximately 7 days
worth of medication left.
Once the dose indicator reaches the end of the scale the inhaler
empty and locks automatically so more doses can be released.
If you are unsure about how to use your Respimat Inhaler
or have any other questions, speak to your GP, practice nurse
or pharmacist for assistance.