Asthma: Using a Diskus inhaler

A Diskus inhaler delivers asthma medicine in powder form. Learn how to properly use a Diskus inhaler.

Key points

• A Diskus inhaler dispenses asthma medicine in a powder that is breathed into the lungs.
• The Diskus is appropriate for older children and teens who can effectively form a seal with their lips and follow specific medication instructions.

Introduction

Diskus inhaler

What is a Diskus inhaler?

A Diskus inhaler is a flat, round device that is used to deliver asthma medicines in powder form. It has a dose counter window so you can see how many doses are left. Diskus inhalers are used for older children and teenagers. To use a Diskus, your child must be able to form a seal around the inhaler with their lips, and breath fast and deep enough to effectively get the medication into their lungs.

Helping your child

How to use a Diskus inhaler

Your child can watch the video or follow the illustrated steps below when taking medicine with a Diskus inhaler.

How to take the Diskus inhaler

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  Step 1: Open the Diskus

  Hold the Diskus inhaler in one hand.

  Put the thumb of your other hand into the thumb grip, which is a hollow spot that fits your thumb tightly.

  Push your thumb away from you until you hear a click. You should be able to see the mouthpiece and the tab beside it.

• 

  Step 2: Get the medicine ready

  Hold the Diskus inhaler in one hand.

  With your other hand, put your first finger in the thumb grip and the thumb on the tab.

  Slide the tab away from you, toward your first finger, until you hear a click. This means the medicine is ready.

  To prevent the loaded dose from getting lost, do not drop or bang the Diskus inhaler.

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  Step 3: Take the medicine

  Breathe out.

  Wrap your lips tightly around the mouthpiece of the Diskus inhaler.

  Breathe in quickly and deeply.

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  Take the Diskus inhaler out of your mouth.

  Hold your breath while you count to 10 slowly.

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  Breathe out slowly through your nose.

  Repeat steps 2 to 3 if you need to take additional doses.

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  Step 4: Close the Diskus

  Close the Diskus inhaler by holding it in one hand.

  With the other hand, put the thumb back into the thumb grip.

  Slide the thumb grip toward you until you hear a click.

The Diskus inhaler is now ready for the next time you need to take your medicine for asthma.

Keep the Diskus inhaler in a dry storage area at room temperature.

How do you know how much medicine is left in your child’s Diskus inhaler?

Always check how much medicine is left in the Diskus by looking at the dose counter at the side of the Diskus inhaler. Each time a dose of medicine is taken, the counter will count backwards by one dose.

By SickKids staff