My father says his inhaler does not work — could he be using it wrong?

✓ Accepted answer

Yes, your father is likely using his inhaler incorrectly, as poor technique is a very common reason for treatment failure in COPD patients.

• Check the type of device. Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) require coordinating a slow, deep breath with the actuation, which is difficult for many people. A spacer can improve drug delivery by up to 30%, while dry powder inhalers (DPIs) require a rapid, forceful inhale that many patients lack the lung capacity for.
• Observe common mechanical errors. According to the NIH, frequent mistakes include pressing the canister too early (causing the puff to escape before inhaling), breathing too slowly (causing the medication to deposit in the throat), and forgetting to hold the breath for 10 seconds after inhaling.
• Use a spacer if recommended. If he uses an MDI, ensure he is using a spacer. He must take the spacer off his face, hold his breath for 10 seconds, and then exhale slowly. Do not blow directly into the spacer, as this pushes the medication out.
• Request a formal technique review. Bring his specific inhaler device to his next pulmonology or primary care appointment. Ask the healthcare provider to watch him use it. This visual check is often the fastest way to identify if the device itself is wrong for his specific lung function or if he is simply executing the steps incorrectly.
• Consider a nebulizer. If manual coordination remains too difficult, ask his doctor about switching to a nebulizer, which delivers medication through a mist and removes the need for breath-holding or actuation timing.

admin · 2026-09-30 18:26:24