INHALER USE & TECHNIQUE

What Are Asthma and COPD?

Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are conditions that affect your lungs and breathing. Both can cause symptoms like wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

How Can You Manage Your Symptoms?

Know Your Medications
There are many different types of inhalers and medications used to help you breathe:

• Relievers: help quickly open your airways during symptoms (also often called “rescue inhalers”)

• Controllers: are usually used daily to reduce inflammation and prevent symptoms

• Combination Inhalers: contain multiple medications that can help relieve and control symptoms

Using your inhaler the right way is key! For step-by-step tips on the proper technique, please visit the videos provided.

Avoid Triggers
Common triggers include smoke, dust, pollen, cold air, and infections. Identifying and avoiding your personal triggers can help reduce flare-ups.

Monitor Your Symptoms
Keep track of how often you need your reliever inhaler, how you feel during activities, and if symptoms get worse. This can help your healthcare providers adjust your treatment.

Have an Action Plan
Work with your doctor or pharmacist to create a personalized asthma or COPD action plan. This plan outlines what to do daily and how to handle worsening symptoms or attacks.

Want To Learn More? Press One of the Buttons Below, or Scroll For Instructions on How to Use Different Types of Inhalers

Why Has My Prescriber Given Me A Spacer?

A spacer (or Aerochamber) device is a tube that attaches to your inhaler. Instead of breathing directly from the inhaler, you breathe it in through the spacer, which helps the medicine reach deeper into your lungs more effectively.

Using a spacer means less medication lands in your mouth and throat, reducing side effects like irritation and thrush, but also increasing the amount of medication that gets into your lungs, and making it easier to coordinate breathing with your inhaler spray.

It’s highly recommended by Asthma Canada that everyone using a dry-powder metered-dose inhaler use a spacer as well, especially children.

To learn how to use your spacer (Aerochamber), click on the link or follow the steps listed below.

Spacer Care

It’s important to clean your spacer regularly with warm, soapy water (no rubbing alcohol or hot water).
Rinse well and air dry (don’t use a towel inside the device).

Need Help? We’re Here For You

Our pharmacists and healthcare team are ready to support you. Whether you need help with your inhaler technique, medication questions, or managing your symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Together we can help you breathe easier.