How to Use a Rescue Inhaler in 10 Easy Steps
Key takeaways:
Rescue inhalers work quickly to relieve symptoms of sudden breathing problems, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Common rescue inhalers include albuterol (Ventolin, ProAir, Proventil) and levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA).
Read the instructions that come with your rescue inhaler. Each inhaler may have slightly different instructions. In general, wait 1 minute between each puff of your rescue inhaler and 4 to 6 hours between doses.
Tell your healthcare team if you’re using your rescue inhaler more than usual. You may need to use a maintenance inhaler or adjust your dose.
Access savings on related medications
Table of contents
Sudden difficulty breathing can be scary. But a rescue inhaler can help you quickly start breathing easier again.
Proper use of a rescue inhaler is essential to helping the medication reach your lungs. And for many people, it can be tricky to get used to these devices. But with practice, a rescue inhaler gets easier to use.
What is a rescue inhaler used for?
Rescue inhalers are used to relieve sudden breathing problems in people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). People may refer to these events as an asthma attack or a COPD flare-up. They have similar symptoms, such as coughing, difficulty breathing, and wheezing. A rescue inhaler works quickly to open up your airways and helps you breathe easier.
A rescue inhaler has a medication, called a short-acting beta agonist (SABA), to help you breathe better within minutes. Two SABAs commonly included in rescue inhalers are albuterol (Ventolin, ProAir, Proventil) and levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA).
SABAs work the quickest when you inhale your dose. But it can be tricky to properly use an inhaler, especially if you’ve never used one. Follow these 10 steps for using a rescue inhaler correctly.
Knowing the difference: Albuterol and levalbuterol are commonly prescribed rescue inhalers. Here, we compare the differences.
Using another option for relief: ProAir RespiClick is different from most rescue inhalers and has unique instructions. Here, we review how to use it, so you can get the most out of it.
Understanding what it feels like: Albuterol rescue inhalers can be lifesaving. Here, three people share their experiences using them.
10 steps for how to use a rescue inhaler correctly
There are a few types of inhalers. The most common rescue inhaler is called a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). This L-shaped inhaler has been around for decades.
With an MDI, the medication comes as a liquid inside a metal canister. When you press down on the canister, a propellant pushes the medication out as a spray. Each inhalation is measured and will have the same dose of medication.
These instructions are specific for MDIs. We cover tips for using other types of inhalers, such as dry powder inhalers and ProAir RespiClick, in other GoodRx Health articles.
Read the instructions
1. If you’ve never used this inhaler, review the instructions. Every inhaler is a little different. Even different generic versions of the same brand-name inhaler can have slightly different instructions.
Prepare for use
2. When your inhaler is new, or if you haven’t used it in several days, prime the device. To do this, shake the inhaler well for a few seconds, remove the mouthpiece cover, and spray one puff away from yourself. You may need to repeat this a few times for some rescue inhalers. Specific instructions for how often to prime vary depending on the inhaler. You can find them in your inhaler’s information packet.
3. Shake the inhaler well for a few seconds before each dose.
4. Remove the cover, and turn the mouthpiece toward you. Hold the inhaler so the mouthpiece is at the bottom (positioned horizontally) and the canister of medication is at the top (positioned vertically).
Read more like this
Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.
5. Hold the inhaler with your thumb on the bottom of the canister and your index or middle finger on top.
Use
6. Stand or sit up straight. This helps your lungs fully expand when you breathe in your dose.
7. Take a deep breath in, then exhale, turning your face away from the device.
8. Put your lips around the mouthpiece, creating a seal. This will help ensure that the medication doesn’t come back out of your mouth while using your inhaler.
9. Push the canister down while breathing in slowly and deeply. Breathe as deep as you can so the medication can reach your lungs. Then release the canister.
10. Remove the device from your mouth, and hold your breath for 10 seconds or as long as you can. Replace the mouthpiece covering until your next use.
If you use 2 inhalations per dose, wait about a minute between each inhalation. See below for more on this.
How long should you wait before using your inhaler again?
If your prescriber wants you to use two inhalations per dose, wait about 1 minute between puffs. This pause lets the first puff of medication settle in your lungs.
A common dosage is to use a rescue inhaler every 4 to 6 hours as needed. It’s not recommended to use them more frequently. If you’re having problems breathing and you feel like you need another dose before that time, contact your healthcare team.
If you’re using your rescue inhaler every 4 to 6 hours or more frequently than usual, tell your healthcare team. They may recommend a maintenance inhaler or adjusting your dosage. This can help reduce how often you need to use your rescue inhaler.
Overusing rescue inhalers, such as albuterol, may cause side effects, such as a faster heart rate or a feeling of nervousness. It could also lead to more lung condition flare-ups or worsening symptoms.
Are there additional steps for using a rescue inhaler with a spacer?
With MDIs, timing when to push the canister and breathe in can be tricky. In these cases, a device called a spacer can give you more time to breathe in the medication. Spacers are particularly helpful for young children, but anyone can benefit from them. There are some extra steps to follow when using one.
If you need to prime your inhaler, follow the instructions. To connect the spacer, remove the inhaler’s mouthpiece cover, and attach it to the spacer. One side of the spacer has a hole shaped for the inhaler mouthpiece. This is where you want to connect the devices, making sure the spacer fits snugly.
The other end of the spacer may have a mouthpiece similar to the one on your inhaler. Remove any cover from the spacer’s mouthpiece, and put your lips around it to create a seal. Other spacers have a mask instead of a mouthpiece. Place the mask over your nose and mouth. It should be flush with your face, creating a seal.
Before taking your dose, stand or sit up straight. Hold the inhaler with one hand, as described in step 5. Use your other hand to support the spacer. When you’re ready to use your inhaler, push the canister down, then release it.
There are two methods for inhaling medication from the spacer. Both work well, so try both and choose the one that’s more comfortable for you.
Tidal breathing: Once the medication enters the spacer, breathe in and out into the spacer 3 to 5 times. Use slow, deep breaths to help move the medication out of the device and into your lungs.
Single breath and hold: Slowly breathe in one time as deeply as you can. Hold your breath for 10 seconds, or as long as you can, before breathing out.
Do you need to rinse your mouth after using a rescue inhaler?
No, you don’t have to rinse your mouth after using most rescue inhalers. Only inhalers containing a steroid (corticosteroid) require this. Rinsing your mouth after using a steroid inhaler helps prevent thrush, a fungal infection of the mouth and throat.
Albuterol and levalbuterol are not steroid inhalers and shouldn’t cause thrush. So you don’t need to rinse your mouth after using these rescue inhalers. But you can if the inhaler leaves a bad aftertaste. And if you’re using a spacer with a face mask, washing the areas the mask covers can help prevent skin irritation.
Good to know: Some prescribers recommend using Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) as both a daily maintenance inhaler and a rescue inhaler for asthma attacks. In this case, Symbicort would replace an albuterol or levalbuterol inhaler. Symbicort contains a steroid. If you’re using it as your rescue inhaler, rinse your mouth after using it.
Rescue inhaler maintenance tips
About once a week, clean the plastic part of the inhaler so it doesn’t get clogged with medication buildup. Take the metal canister out, and run the plastic part under warm water for 30 seconds. Let it air-dry completely. Don’t put the canister back in while the plastic is still wet. This can cause water to get inside the canister and cause problems with the medication.
Routinely check the expiration date on the inhaler. Your rescue inhaler may not be as effective once it expires. If the expiration date has passed, throw your inhaler away in a medication disposal box, and request a refill if needed.
The bottom line
Difficulty breathing can be scary. But knowing how to use a rescue inhaler can help you get the best results from your medication so you can breathe easier. Read the instructions because they may vary for each inhaler. In general, wait about a minute between each inhalation and at least 4 to 6 hours between doses.
If you’ve been using your rescue inhaler more than usual, tell your prescriber. You may need adjustments to other medications to help reduce how often you’re using your rescue inhaler.
Why trust our experts?
References
Alvarez, D. (n.d.). Albuterol: Safe use, expiration, and side effects. National Capital Poison Center.
American Lung Association. (2023). Prevent COPD exacerbations or flare ups.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (2022). Tips on how to use your inhaler to get more medicine into your lungs for better asthma control.
Asthma Initiative of Michigan. (n.d.). How to use a metered-dose inhaler the right way.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Know how to use your asthma inhaler.
Hsu, E., et al. (2023). Beta2-agonists. StatPearls.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2021). How to use a metered-dose inhaler.
Patel, P. H., et al. (2023). Wheezing. StatPearls.
Stein, S. W., et al. (2017). The history of therapeutic aerosols: A chronological review. Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery.
Winter, B. K., et al. (2019). BET 1: Efficacy of different techniques using a metered-dose inhaler with spacer to relieve symptoms in children with acute asthma. Emergency Medicine Journal.
