Inhaler Technique: How to Use Your Inhaler Right and Get Full Relief

When you use an inhaler technique, the specific method of delivering medication directly into the lungs using a handheld device. Also known as inhaler use, it’s not just about pressing the canister—you need timing, breathing, and coordination to make it work. If you’re not doing it right, up to 80% of your medicine ends up in your mouth or throat, not your lungs. That means you’re not getting the full benefit, and your symptoms won’t improve—even if you’re taking your meds exactly as prescribed.

This isn’t just about asthma. People with COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a group of lung conditions that include emphysema and chronic bronchitis rely on inhalers too. And whether you’re using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI), a dry powder inhaler (DPI), or a spacer, the rules change slightly for each. A metered-dose inhaler, a pressurized device that releases a measured puff of medication needs a slow, deep breath timed right after pressing down. A dry powder inhaler, a device that releases medication as a fine powder you breathe in quickly won’t work if you breathe too slowly—you need a sharp, strong inhale. Spacers help, but only if you hold them in place long enough after pressing.

Most people think they’re using their inhaler correctly because they’ve been doing it for years. But studies show that even doctors and nurses often get it wrong. One real-world test found that nearly 7 out of 10 asthma patients couldn’t demonstrate proper technique—even after being shown how to do it. The result? More ER visits, more flare-ups, more steroid side effects from taking extra doses because the medicine didn’t work the first time.

There’s no magic trick. It’s about practice. Watch a video. Ask your pharmacist to watch you use it. Use a mirror so you can see if you’re breathing in at the right time. Some inhalers even have built-in counters or sound cues. If your symptoms aren’t improving, don’t assume the medicine isn’t working. Ask yourself: am I using the tool right?

The posts below cover everything you need to know: how to use different types of inhalers, how spacers help (and when they don’t), common mistakes people make, and how to tell if your technique is still off—even after years of use. You’ll find clear, no-fluff guides that show you exactly what to do, step by step. No jargon. No guesswork. Just what works.