breath-activated aerosol inhalers

Autohaler Medicine

  • Click here to learn about preventer medicine. 

 

Cleaning your inhaler

  • Clean your inhaler according to manufacturer's instructions. In short:
  • 1. Wipe mouthpiece only with a damp cloth or tissue
  • 2. DO NOT push a drying cloth or anything else into the device
  • 3. DO NOT wash or soak entire device in water

 

the Autohaler is a breath-activated aerosol inhaler

The autohaler is an aerosol inhaler which contains less propellant than an MDI because it is breath activated. The preventer medicine Respocort is the only medicine available in New Zealand in an autohaler. 

As with all inhalers, there are some advantages and disadvantages of using the autohaler:

Using your inhaler

Remember to always keep the cap on your inhaler when not in use, and store it in a cool place (not your car glovebox). Here are some steps to help you use your inhaler.

  • Hold the device upright and push the lever up. (Use two hands if this is easier.)
  • Shake the device well.
  • Sit upright, tilting head backn and breathe out gently (through device if needed).
  • Insert the mouthpiece into the mouth ensuring that the lips are firmly sealed. Make sure the air vents at the bottom of the device are not blocked by hands.
  • Keep the device upright.
  • Breathe in fully. Do not stop when the ‘whoosh’ is heard and felt.
  • Remove the Autohaler from the mouth and hold the breath for ten seconds or as long as is comfortable.
  • Breathe out gently through the nose.
  • Push the grey lever down gently. If another puff is needed repeat process.
  • Rinse mouth and spit out or clean teeth after using a corticosteroid preventer.

Here are some common mistakes people make when using an Autohaler:

  • Some people may stop breathing in when they hear and feel the ‘whoosh’
  • Shaking before raising the grey lever or not raising the grey lever
  • Breathing in through the nose instead of the mouth.

Here is how to find out when you need a new inhaler:

  • Push the grey lever up. Shake the device and listen. The contents can be felt and heard moving around inside the canister
  • The ‘whoosh’ is not felt or heard when the canister is empty