Medicine technique - get it checked

Following on from my post on 6th May 2014 about asthma inhaler technique…

In the last week, a new US report had revealed that a significant number of people with asthma don't receive adequate training on how best to use an inhaler and allergy sufferers don't know how to use their adrenaline pens (Epipen or Jext) properly. Asthma UK and Allergy UK are calling for improved training.

The research is due to be published in January 2015 in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. The researchers found that common problems with adrenaline pens were not pressing them hard enough or letting go too early (before the required 10 seconds had passed). With inhalers, most people received a less powerful dose than they needed, potentially meaning their breathing would continue to worsen.

If you suffer from any medical condition (either regularly or intermittently), it's essential that you make sure you know how to use your medicines properly - whether it's an asthma inhaler, adrenaline pen or even eye drops for glaucoma. Ask your pharmacist for advice or, even better, a practical demonstration.

Visit Asthma UK's website (click here) for essential demonstrations on inhaler technique, click here for advice on using Epipens and here for Jext advice.