Here are a few points on how to use it to maximize your benefit from your inhaler medicine.

If you're never used an inhaler before and are unfamiliar with the procedure, read the written instructions that come with the inhaler or nebulizer. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist to show you how to use it. Practice using the inhaler or nebulizer while he or she watches.

To use the aerosol inhaler, follow these steps:
1. Remove the protective dust cap from the end of the mouthpiece. If the dust cap was not placed on the mouthpiece, check the mouthpiece for dirt or other objects. Be sure that the canister is fully and firmly inserted in the mouthpiece.
2. If you are using the inhaler for the first time or if you have not used the inhaler in more than 14 days, you will need to prime it. You may also need to prime the inhaler if it has been dropped. Ask your pharmacist or check the manufacturer's information if this happens. To prime the inhaler, shake it well and then press down on the canister 4 times to release 4 sprays into the air, away from your face. Be careful not to get albuterol in your eyes.

3. Shake the inhaler well.
4. Breathe out as completely as possible through your mouth.
5. Hold the canister with the mouthpiece on the bottom, facing you and the canister pointing upward. Place the open end of the mouthpiece into your mouth. Close your lips tightly around the mouthpiece. (Some physicians recommend holding the unit one to two inches away from your open mouth, about the width of two fingers, rather than placing directly in your mouth.)

6. Breathe in slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece, for a count of three to five seconds. At the same time, press down once on the container to spray the medication into your mouth.
7. Try to hold your breath for 10 seconds. remove the inhaler, and breathe out slowly .
8. If you were told to use 2 puffs, wait 1 minute and then repeat steps 3-7.
9. Replace the protective cap on the inhaler. It is recommended that you rinse your mouth or gargle when using a steriod medication inhaler.

Here is some additional important information about Albuterol inhalers:

Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen or if you feel that albuterol inhalation no longer controls your symptoms. If you were told to use albuterol as needed to treat your symptoms and you find that you need to use the medication more often than usual, call your doctor.

Albuterol controls symptoms of asthma and other lung diseases but does not cure them. Do not stop using albuterol without talking to your doctor.

If you are using the inhaler, your medication will come in canisters. Each canister of albuterol aerosol is designed to provide 200 inhalations. After the labeled number of inhalations has been used, later inhalations may not contain the correct amount of medication. Throw away the canister after you have used the labeled number of inhalations even if it still contains some liquid and continues to release a spray when it is pressed.

Your inhaler may come with an attached counter that keeps track of the number of sprays you have used. If you have this type of inhaler, you should not try to change the numbers or remove the counter from the canister. When the number that shows on the counter is 020, you should call your doctor or pharmacist to refill your prescription. When the number that shows on the counter is 000, you should not use that canister anymore. Throw away the empty canister.

If your inhaler does not come with an attached counter, you will need to keep track of the number of inhalations you have used. You can divide the number of inhalations in your inhaler by the number of inhalations you use each day to find out how many days your inhaler will last. Do not float the canister in water to see if it still contains medication.

The inhaler that comes with albuterol aerosol is designed for use only with a canister of albuterol. Never use it to inhale any other medication, and do not use any other inhaler to inhale albuterol.

Be careful not to get albuterol inhalation into your eyes.

If you are using other inhalers such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or an inhaled steroid such as beclomethasone (Beclovent) or triamcinolone (Azmacort), use albuterol first. Wait at least 5 minutes before using the other inhaler.

Do not use your albuterol inhaler when you are near a flame or source of heat. The inhaler may explode if it is exposed to very high temperatures.

Your mouth may get dry from this medication. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water, will help.

Clean your inhaler or regularly. As a nurse my wife has seen units covered in old lipstick, food crumbs, stains, and other unsanitary conditions. Follow the manufacturer's directions carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about cleaning your inhaler or nebulizer. If you do not clean your inhaler properly, the inhaler may become blocked and may not spray medication. If this happens, follow the manufacturer's directions for cleaning the inhaler and removing the blockage. Or for better performance, once a day remove the metal canister and rinse the plastic case in warm running water. Replace canister gently without using a twisting motion.

We hope this guide has been of some use to you!