The selection of the right type of inhaler is described in a separate tip. Always remember to match the inhaler and attachment to the age of the child and to the type of preparation prescribed (there are attachments that only fit inhalers from one particular company...).

In addition to the doctor or nurse, the pharmacist at the pharmacy should assist in the selection of the inhalation kit.

It is highly recommended that you demonstrate to the doctor or nurse at each clinic visit how to perform the inhalation and describe your handling of the inhaler and the attachments before and after the inhalation. This will allow the doctor to assess the correctness of the treatment.

Do not be ashamed to ask about the simplest technical details, as it is "technical errors" that are very often responsible for treatment failure.

It isestimated that only one third of patients inhale their prescribed inhalation medication completely correctly. The correct technique for inhaling the medicine from a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with an attachment should be as follows:

1. Before inhalations, the "extender" should be assembled according to the instructions and connected to the dispenser containing the medicine.
2. "Extender" attached to the child's mouth should be held in a horizontal position.
3. Only one inhalation of one preparation is given for each of the child's several inhalations. If the child is prescribed 2 inhalations of a preparation at a time, wait a while after the first inhalation and only after this time give the second dose of the medicine.
4. The child should start breathing through the tube as soon as possible after injecting the medicine.
5. Older children should try to hold their breath at the top and only let the air out slowly after a while. The child's breaths should be deep but taken as slowly as possible.
6. If a child uses more than one inhaler, the order in which the medicines are given is important: inhaled bronchodilators (so-called beta-mimetics) should be given first. The initial bronchodilation will improve the penetration of drugs administered later
7. After inhalations, the child should rinse the mouth thoroughly and the attachment should be gently washed of any residual inhalation powder each time (according to the instructions for use of the attachment).
8. Inhalation treatment of bronchial asthma must be chronic! Medication must not be interrupted arbitrarily. Any irregularity in the use of inhalation medication reduces its effectiveness.
9. The inhalation device is not a toy! It must not be left with the child - after inhalations it must be cleaned and put away in the medicine cabinet.