A dry powder inhaler helps get medicine right to where it's needed in your lungs.
It uses medicine that is a very fine powder.
All you have to do is breathe it in through the inhaler.
But knowing how to use it the right way is important.
These inhalers come in different shapes and sizes.
All of them are easy to use, but they may work differently.
Some come with medicine already loaded.
With other types, you have to put the medicine in the inhaler right before you use it.
Your doctor or pharmacist will show you how to load your inhaler.
Here's how you use a dry powder inhaler: Remove the cap and, if you need to, load a dose of medicine into the inhaler.
Now tilt your head back a little, hold the inhaler away from your mouth, and breathe out slowly and completely.
Be sure you don't breathe into the inhaler.
You could blow some of the powder out of it.
And the moisture in your breath could cause the powder to clump, clogging the inhaler.
After breathing out, put the inhaler in your mouth and close your lips tightly around it.
Now breathe in quickly and deeply through your mouth for 2 to 3 seconds.
This pulls the powder from the inhaler into your lungs.
Take the inhaler out of your mouth and hold your breath for 10 seconds.
Then slowly breathe out through pursed lips.
If your powder is a steroid, gargle and rinse out your mouth with water.
Don't swallow the water.
Using a dry powder inhaler the right way helps the medicine get right where you need it--in your lungs.
