Asthma: Using a Turbuhaler

By SickKids staff

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

Key points

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

Introduction

Turbuhaler

What is a Turbuhaler?

A Turbuhaler is a white cylinder with a coloured base. It is used to deliver medicines in powder form. It has a dose counter window so you can see how many doses are left. To use a Turbuhaler, 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 the Turbuhaler

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

How to use your Turbuhaler

• 

  Step 1: Open the Turbuhaler

  Unscrew the white cover and take it off the Turbuhaler.

• 

  Step 2: Get the medicine ready

  Hold the Turbuhaler with the mouthpiece pointing up.

  Hold the Turbuhaler in one hand and twist the coloured bottom of the Turbuhaler with the other hand. Twist it as far to the right as it will go, then twist to the left until you hear a click. The click means that the medicine is ready.

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

• 

  Step 3: Take the medicine

  Stand or sit up straight.

  Breathe out.

  Put the mouthpiece between your teeth, then wrap your lips around the mouthpiece tightly so that no air can get out.

  Tilt your head back a little bit.

  Breathe in as fast and as deeply as you can.

• 

  Take the Turbuhaler out of your mouth.

  Hold your breath while you count to 10 slowly.

  Breathe out slowly from your mouth.

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

• 

  Step 4: Close the Turbuhaler

  Screw the white cover back on to the Turbuhaler.

  Rinse your mouth with water or drink something afterwards.

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

Some Turbuhalers have a red mark, which appears in a window on the side of the device when there are 20 doses left. Other Turbuhalers have a dose counter that counts backwards with each dose. Remember that you cannot tell if the inhaler is empty by feel or sound alone.

How to clean your Turbuhaler

• Wipe off the mouthpiece with a dry tissue after use.
• Never use any liquid to clean the Turbuhaler.
• If powder sticks in the hole, try to brush it out.

Last updated: March 21st 2024