Inhaler choices

Four simple inhaler changes to help your lung condition 

Inhalers are important for lots of people with lung conditions. This is because they help to treat the condition in your lungs. Here are four steps you can take to start feeling better today and help the environment at the same time. 

1. Take your preventer inhaler every day, as prescribed 

This image shows an airway of a person with poorly controlled asthma, COPD or another lung condition where inhalers are needed. Their airway has become narrow and has lots of excess mucus. Using your preventer inhaler every day, as prescribed, helps prevent this from happening. It treats the condition in your lungs to help you avoid an asthma attack or flare-up. It will help you stay well, meaning fewer appointments, hospital stays or disruptions to your life. Your reliever inhaler is different. It treats symptoms quickly when they come on, but it doesn't treat your underlying condition. Your reliever inhaler should only be used when your symptoms are getting worse or you're having an asthma attack or flare-up. 

2. Use the right inhaler technique 

A good inhaler technique makes a big difference to how much medicine gets into your airways. The way you use your inhaler might not be something you think about very often, but getting it right is quick and easy, and it'll help you feel your best. Speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist, or call Asthma + Lung UK's helpline for help on getting the right inhaler technique. 

3. Together with a healthcare professional, change to a lower-carbon inhaler 

Together with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist, you can review your current inhaler and find the best one to manage your symptoms. Some inhalers are better for the environment too, so you'll be looking after yourself and helping the environment at the same time. 

4. Take used inhalers back to your local pharmacy for disposal 

Don't put your used inhalers in the bin. Instead, take them to your local pharmacy the next time you visit. They'll get rid of them in the most environmentally-friendly way. These simple changes could help your lungs and the environment at the same time. Speak to your healthcare professional today to get started, or contact us for expert advice from our helpline.

I'm Lara and I live with a lung condition called asthma.

I was diagnosed in my mid-twenties.

I changed my inhaler a few years ago. It was suggested to me by my GP that it might help improve my asthma control.

In the past I was using a brown inhaler, it was an aerosol. Now I use a dry powder inhaler and that's my preventer that I take each day.

At first I was a bit rigid to the change and I thought 'How am I going to use the new one? How am I going to learn how to do it?'
But then when they suggested that it actually might help my asthma control and they explained it's not that difficult to use, it's quite easy, that then reassured me and then I thought 'Why not give it a go?'

I actually really like using it because it's really simple to use. There's extra benefits, like it's really easy to carry around in my handbag.
I had to use a spacer with my old inhaler.
The technique to use it is a lot more simpler as well. It benefited my asthma a lot.

I found putting a reminder on my phone, morning and evening, was really helpful to make sure I remembered to take my inhaler. That really helped me get that routine.

When you first get asked about changing your inhaler you might be feeling a bit anxious about it and it could be a bit of a scary thought
about learning a new inhaler but actually be open to that change.

I found I wished I'd done it years ago because it can really benefit your asthma and can help the environment at the same time.