How to use devices for asthma and allergies

Do you know the proper way to use an asthma inhaler or epinephrine pen? Kevin Soden, MD, shares tips for using these medication devices to be sure you're getting the medicine you need when you need it.

Transcript

00:00

The biggest mistake? Not properly exhaling before activating the canister and inhaling the medication.

00:13

Dr. Soden here with an important safety tip for your family. Medical devices like epinephrine pens

00:19

for severe allergic reactions and metered dose inhalers to manage asthma symptoms, can be real lifesavers as long

00:27

as they're used correctly. In one study, just 16% of patients could demonstrate the correct technique to inject an EpiPen.

00:36

Using it correctly is essential to reverse a life-threatening, allergic reaction. The most common mistake was not holding the pen in place

00:44

for 10 seconds after injection. The researchers also tested how patients use various types of asthma inhalers.

00:52

Only 7% used them correctly. The biggest mistake? Not properly exhaling before activating the canister

01:00

and inhaling the medication. That poor technique meant many patients weren't getting enough asthma medication.

01:06

So if you or anyone in your family needs either of these potentially lifesaving devices, make an appointment with your doctor

01:13

for a refresher course in how to use them correctly. Then every time you get a prescription refilled, ask your doctor or pharmacist to run through the technique

01:22

one more time. I'm Dr. Soden. Watch all our smart health tips to keep your whole family safe.