An asthma inhaler delivers a metered dose of medicine in a mist that your child inhales into the airways of the lungs. Here are the steps for using a metered dose inhaler: * Remove the caps from the chamber and the metered dose inhaler. * Shake the inhaler vigorously. * Hold the inhaler upright with the mouthpiece at the bottom. * Insert the mouthpiece of the inhaler into the rubber-sealed end of the chamber. * Waste 2 puffs in the chamber if the inhaler has either never been used, or not used for a week or more. The wasted puffs don't count as doses. * With your child standing or sitting up straight, place the chamber into the child's mouth. * Have your child breathe slowly in and out of the valved holding chamber several times. * While your child is breathing in slowly, press the inhaler down once to release the medicine into your child's mouth * After you've sprayed the medicine, have your child breathe in as deeply as possible and then hold their breath for 10 seconds. * Children who cannot hold their breath should breathe in and out slowly for 3 to 5 breaths. * If additional puffs have been prescribed, wait 1 minute and repeat these steps.
