How to use your Dulera Inhaler. Patient education video sponsored by VA Pharmacy Benefits Management Services.
≫> hi. my name is dr. jessica swiderek, a va pharmacist, and today i would like to discuss with you the proper way to use your dulera inhaler. dulera is an inhaled medicine used to treat copd and asthma. it is generally dosed as two inhalations or puffs twice daily, although some patients with asthma may be prescribed additional inhalations as needed. do not take
Dulera more often than you have been prescribed. it is important to use this medicine every day as prescribed by your doctor this inhaler may be used with a spacer if recommended. dulera works by opening your airway and reducing inflammation in your lungs dulera does not relieve sudden symptoms or exacerbations. make sure you always have a rescue inhaler with you to treat
Sudden symptoms. use your rescue inhaler if you have breathing problems between doses of dulera. call your health care provider to have one prescribed for you. before using dulera inhaler, remove the cap from the mouthpiece of the inhaler and check the mouthpiece for objects before using it. ensure the canister is fully inserted into the device actuator. once assembled,
Leave the canister in the device actuator. removing the canister can cause the medicine delivery to fail, preventing a full dose there is also a possibility that upon reinsertion the inhaler might misfire and a puff may be released causing the dose counter to be reduced. on your pharmacy label matches the medicine strength listed when you first use your inhaler, you will
Need to prime it. priming your inhaler properly ensures that you receive a full dose shake the inhaler well and press down on the canister you will need to repeat this process for a total of four times or four total puffs to properly prime your inhaler. after you finish priming your inhaler, you should see the dose counter reduce by four. after the four prime doses, your
Dose counter should now read either 60 or 120 depending as long as you consistently use your medicine, you will not need to prime the device again. however, if you go more than five days without using your inhaler, drop your inhaler or your inhaler gets tossed around, you must prime your inhaler again. turn your head away from the inhaler and exhale through your mouth.
You should try to push as much air out of your lungs as you possibly can. next, making sure the inhaler is in an upright position, place the mouthpiece into your mouth slowly take a deep breath in through your mouth while firmly pressing once you have completely pressed down, remove your finger from the canister. continue breathing in slowly and deeply as long as you can,
Then, hold your breath for up to 10 seconds or as long as you can without discomfort. you can now remove the inhaler from your mouth while slowly breathing out through your nose. make sure you keep your lips closed while breathing out. wait at least 30 seconds before taking your second inhalation. this gives you time to catch your breath and make sure that you have
Good technique to allow the medicine to reach your lungs with your next dose. repeat the steps by shaking the inhaler, breathing in slowly and deeply while pushing down the canister, holding your breath as long as comfortable, once both puffs have been given, place the cap back on the mouthpiece. after completing two puffs of dulera, it is important to rinse your mouth
This process will reduce your risk of mouth or throat infection such as thrush. if you have the 60 dose inhaler or the 120 dose inhaler. the 60 dose inhaler will need to be stored with the mouthpiece facing down or sideways. you can store the 120 dose inhaler in any position. both types should be stored at room temperature and kept out of reach of children. now let’s
Talk about when it’s time to replace your inhaler. there is a dose counter on your dulera inhaler and it is important for you each inhalation will cause the counter to reduce by one. when your inhaler counter is nearing a 10 day supply remaining, if you are out of refills, request a new prescription from your provider once your inhalation counter reaches zero, discard your
Inhaler in the trash. do not attempt to use your inhaler anymore after the counter reaches zero even also, do not use your inhaler past the expiration date. never wash your inhaler or put any of the parts in water. wetting your inhaler can cause moisture to remain in the device causing the medicine to properly clean your inhaler, start removing the cap from the mouthpiece.
Using a clean, dry, lint-free tissue or cloth, wipe the inside once you have finished cleaning, place the cap back on the mouthpiece. if you believe the inhaler is blocked, do not remove the canister from the actuator nor place a sharp object such as a pin into the actuator. rather, contact your provider to request a replacement. and i want to also thank you for your service to our country.
Transcribed from video
How to use your Dulera Inhaler By Veterans Health Administration
