Inhaler Education

At the Breathe Chicago Center© we are passionate about helping patients manage their condition. We believe that the more you know, the more confident you become and can play an active role in managing your condition. Self-management education has been shown to improve outcomes in a variety of chronic conditions and should be incorporated as an integral part of your healthcare encounter.

Common Inhaler Devices Heading link

Below are some common inhaler devices, click on the inhaler that you take for more information and interactive step-by-step instruction.

Don’t see your inhaler? Send us a note and we will add it!

Using your MDI without Spacer (Steps 1 to 8)

A Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) is a device used to deliver a variety of respiratory medicines. Some more common medicines found in the MDI include albuterol (ProAir®) and Symbicort® (combination budesonide and formoterol).

A spacer (also known by its brand name, Aerochamber) can help deliver any medicine given by Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI). A spacer can be used by children and adults to help ensure the proper dose of respiratory medicine is received.

Watch a video to learn how to use a Metered Dose Inhaler with a Spacer

Asmanex® Twisthaler® is a device used to deliver a mometasone, an inhaled corticosteroid used to treat respiratory conditions. Asmanex® Twisthaler® is usually used as a “controller” medicine, meaning it should be used on a regular basis regardless of symptoms, but should always be used as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Using your Breo® Ellipta® (Steps 1 to 7)

Breo® Ellipta® is a device used to deliver a combination of two medicines for the treatment of COPD. Breo® Ellipta® includes fluticasone furoate, an inhaled corticosteroid, and vilanterol, a long acting bronchodilator. This inhaler is usually used as a “controller” medicine, meaning it should be used on a regular basis regardless of symptoms, but should always be used as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

The Combivent® Respimat® Inhalation Spray device is a medicine that is FDA approved for the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It contains a combination of two medicines, ipratropium bromide (an anticholinergic) and albuterol (a short-acting beta agonist). This medicine is typically used as a “controller” medicine and should be used everyday as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Using your Diskus

A Diskus is a device used to deliver a variety of respiratory medicines. A Diskus can contain one medicine or a combination of medicines. Some common medicines found in the Diskus include salmeterol (Serevent Diskus®) and Advair® (combination fluticasone and salmeterol).

Foradil® Aerolizer® is a device used to deliver formoterol, a long-acting beta agonist, used to treat respiratory conditions. Foradil® Aerolizer® is usually used as a “controller” medicine, meaning it should be used on a regular basis regardless of symptoms, but should always be used as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Using your Pulmicort® Turbuhaler®

Pulmicort® Turbuhaler® is a device used to deliver budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid, used to treat respiratory conditions. Pulmicort Turbuhaler FDA approved to treat asthma in the US. Pulmicort Turbuhaler is usually used as a “controller” medicine, meaning it should be used on a regular basis regardless of symptoms, but should always be used as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Spiriva® HandiHaler® is a once-daily inhaled medicine used to treat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It is also called by its generic name, tiotropium. Spiriva is a controller medicine and should be used daily as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Using your Tudorza™ Pressair™

Tudorza™ Pressair™ is a prescription medicine used long term, 2 times each day to treat symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is not a rescue medicine and should not be used to treat sudden breathing problems.