My Inhaler Plan

If you have been directed to this page it is because you have a combination long acting bronchodilator and corticosteroid inhaler for asthma or COPD on repeat prescription facility.

This page details in brief how best to use this, both when your symptoms are under control and when they worsen.

IF YOUR BREATHING IS WELL CONTROLLED:

ie

You have no difficulty sleeping as a result of your breathing.

You have no symptoms of wheeze, cough or chest tightness day or night.

You can “work & play” without difficulty.

You do not need additional puffs of this or any other ‘rescue’ asthma inhaler.

In this case continue to take your inhaler regularly.

(If your symptoms are very well controlled you may try and step the inhaler down to once daily use from the usual twice daily dose, or even reduce to just using a Blue inhaler (if supplied) for occasional use.

INCREASING ASTHMA SYMPTOMS

If over a period of two to three days your asthma is getting worse:

eg

Your asthma is causing you to wake during night-time or early morning.

You are having difficulty at work or play because of your breathing.

You have cough, wheeze, or chest tightness which causes you to need to use your inhaler (or an other reliever inhaler) three times a week or more.

In such a situation, you can use additional puffs of your main inhaler 2-3x/day more than usual.

If this does not control your symptoms then contact the surgery.

Step back down to your prescribed dose if your symptoms allow.

ASTHMA EMERGENCY SIGNS OF AN EMERGENCY

If your main inhaler does not relieve your symptoms and you are having extreme difficulty in breathing:

eg

If you are too breathless to speak in full sentences, then you can use additional doses of your main inhaler every 10-15 minutes.

(or, if issued, your other blue reliever) inhaler every 2 minutes up to a total of 8 doses.)

You should sit upright and keep calm, but if improvement doesn’t occur within 10 minutes then you should seek urgent medical attention / call 999

If you regularly suffer exacerbations of your breathing then it is worthwhile to ask us for a Peak Flow meter (available on prescription). If you know what your best Peak Flow reading is then it may be easier to identify when your inhalers should be increased.

If you are unsure how to use your inhaler properly, please see here:

www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhalers-medicines-treatments/using-inhalers