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How to use Rapihaler

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Using your inhaler (puffer) properly is important when you have asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

This short clip shows you how to use a Rapihaler.

Medications

A Rapihaler is mainly used with one medication – Symbicort (budesonide plus eformoterol).

Checklist of steps

  1. Check dose counter.
  2. Remove cap
  3. Hold inhaler upright and shake well
  4. Breathe out gently away from inhaler
  5. Put mouthpiece between teeth without biting and close lips to form good seal
  6. Start to breathe in slowly through mouth and, at the same time, press down firmly on canister
  7. Continue to breathe in slowly and deeply
  8. Hold breath for about 5 seconds or as long as comfortable
  9. While holding breath, remove inhaler from mouth
  10. Breathe out gently away from inhaler
  11. If more than one dose is needed, repeat all steps starting from step 3
  12. Replace cap

Potential errors

Your inhaler will come with instructions in the package. Always check the package insert for any specific instructions.

Tips

Getting the most out of your inhaler

Ask your doctor, pharmacist or asthma & respiratory educator to:

Different brands of inhalers sometimes have slightly different instructions to each other for similar steps. The checklists in our How-To Video library have been simplified and standardised where possible to reduce confusion.

Your inhaler will come with instructions in the package. Always check the package insert for any specific instructions.

Other inhaler types

See our complete How-to video library for other inhaler types and how to use them.

Acknowledgement

Thanks to Ms Judi Wicking, asthma and respiratory educator, and the patient who participated in this film clip.

Development of this How-to video was supported by an untied educational grant from AstraZeneca. The National Asthma Council Australia retained editorial control.

Disclaimer

Although all care has been taken, this video is a general guide only, which is not a substitute for assessment of appropriate courses of treatment on a case-by-case basis. The National Asthma Council Australia expressly disclaims all responsibility (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or personal injury resulting from reliance on the information contained herein.