Inhaler Technique: How to Use Your Inhaler Correctly and Avoid Common Mistakes

When you use an inhaler technique, the specific method of using a handheld device to deliver medication directly into the lungs. Also known as inhaler use, it’s not just about pressing the canister—you need timing, breath control, and coordination to get the drug where it’s supposed to go. If you’re using an inhaler for asthma or COPD, but still wheezing or needing your rescue inhaler often, the problem might not be your medication—it’s how you’re using it.

Studies show that up to 90% of people use their inhalers incorrectly. That means most of the medicine lands in your mouth or throat instead of your lungs. You’re not getting the full dose, and your symptoms don’t improve. This isn’t just about feeling better—it’s about preventing hospital visits, flare-ups, and long-term lung damage. The right spacer device, a tube-like attachment that holds the medication after it’s sprayed, making it easier to inhale can fix this for many users, especially kids and older adults. But even with a spacer, timing your breath matters. You need to breathe out first, seal your lips around the mouthpiece, press the inhaler, and then slowly inhale for 3 to 5 seconds. Hold your breath for 10 seconds after. Skip any of those steps, and the drug won’t work as it should.

There are different types of inhalers—metered-dose (MDI), dry powder (DPI), and soft mist—and each has its own rules. A metered-dose inhaler, a pressurized canister that releases a puff of medicine when activated needs a steady hand and good timing. A dry powder inhaler, a device that releases medication when you breathe in fast and deep doesn’t need coordination, but you must inhale hard and fast. If you breathe too slowly, the powder won’t reach deep into your lungs. And don’t forget to rinse your mouth after using steroid inhalers. That simple step cuts your risk of thrush and hoarseness.

Many people don’t realize their inhaler is empty until it stops working. But the counter on the canister isn’t always accurate. The best way to track your dose? Write down when you opened it and how many puffs you take per day. Most inhalers last 30 to 60 days—plan ahead. And if you’re sharing your inhaler with someone else, stop. That’s not just unhygienic—it’s dangerous. Your medication is prescribed for your specific condition and dose.

You don’t need to be a doctor to master this. But you do need to practice. Watch a video from your pharmacist, ask your nurse to watch you use it, or use a mirror to check your form. If your inhaler feels like it’s not helping, don’t assume it’s broken or weak. Ask yourself: Am I doing this right? The answer might change everything.

Below, you’ll find real-world guides and case-based insights on inhaler use, common errors, how to spot when you’re not getting the full benefit, and what to do when your symptoms don’t improve despite using your inhaler daily. These aren’t theory pages—they’re practical fixes from people who’ve been there.