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  Canadian Lung Association>Lung diseases>Get help>How to use puffers, inhalers, and other devices>How to use a Handihaler  
 
How to use a Handihaler.

Handihaler imageA HandiHaler® is an egg-shaped inhaler. It's mostly used for COPD medicine.

  1. Remove a capsule from the blister package of medicine. Take the capsule out of the package right before you're going to use it.
  2. Flip off the lid of the HandiHaler©.
  3. Flip open the mouthpeice.
  4. Put the capsule in the hole.
  5. Flip the mouthpeice closed. Make sure you hear a click, so you know it's closed properly.
  6. Hold the HandiHaler© upright, with the mouthpeice facing up.
  7. Sit up with your back straight.
  8. Press the big button on the side of the HandiHaler©. This pokes a hole in the capsule to let the medicine out.
  9. Exhale: blow out all your air.
  10. Seal your lips around the HandiHaler© mouthpeice.
  11. Breathe in slowly and deeply from the HandiHaler© mouthpeice, until your lungs are full.
  12. As you're breathing in, you should notice that the HandiHaler© is vibrating. This is supposed to happen. It shows that you're taking it properly.
  13. Take the HandiHaler© out of your mouth and hold your breath for as long as you can (10 seconds or longer, if you can).
  14. Breathe out normally.
  15. Take another breath from the HandiHaler©, to make sure you get all the medicine: Seal your lips around the HandiHaler© and take another deep breath in.
  16. Take the HandiHaler© out of your mouth.
  17. Hold your breath for as long as you can (10 seconds or longer, if you can).
  18. Breathe out normally.

Watch a video that shows how to use a HandiHaler©.

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