Using a Neohaler

Many medications are available as inhaled treatments. Inhaled methods deliver medication directly to the airways, which is helpful for lung diseases. The patient and health care provider can choose from a variety of delivery systems for inhaling medication.

A Neohaler® consists of a plastic device to inhale medication. A capsule of powdered medication is placed in the device. The Neohaler® is breath activated. This means when you inhale, the Neohaler® automatically releases the medication. When inhaled correctly, the medication has a better chance to reach the small airways. This increases the medication's effectiveness. The portable size, efficiency, and convenience make the Neohaler® a desirable method for inhalation treatment.

The following steps outline the best method to use a Neohaler®.

Transcript

The Neohaler is a breath-activated device, which means that the medication is released when you inhale.

To use the Neohaler, pull off the mouthpiece cover. Hold the base of the Neohaler and tilt the mouthpiece to open the inhaler. Remove the medication capsule from the foil packet by peeling the paper backing and then pushing the capsule through the remaining foil. Do not remove the capsule from the foil packet until you’re ready to take the medication.

Place the capsule in the base of the Neohaler. Close the mouthpiece. You will hear a click when the mouthpiece is closed. Hold the Neohaler straight up, squeeze the 2 side buttons, and let go. This will puncture the capsule. Once the capsule is punctured, you will need to keep the Neohaler steady. Do not shake it, cough, or breathe into it or you will lose some of the medication.

To take your medication, turn away from the mouthpiece and breathe out. Tilting your head back slightly, carefully bring the Neohaler to your mouth. Be sure the buttons are on the sides, not on the top and bottom. Seal your lips tightly around the mouthpiece and breathe in rapidly and deeply; you will hear the capsule whirling inside the Neohaler as you inhale. Remove the Neohaler from your mouth and hold your breath for as long as you can, up to 10 seconds. Let’s see what that should look like. So we already put the medication in and squeezed the 2 sidebars, so I’m ready to inhale. Empty my lungs.

Now I’m going to check to see if I got all the medication so I’m going to look at the capsule and it looks empty. If it didn’t, if there’s powder in there, I would just inhale again.

So once you’re done, empty that capsule into the trash and put the cap cover back on to keep it clean. If you don’t hear the whirling sound as you inhale, the capsule might be stuck. Simply tap the side of the Neohaler to try and loosen the capsule and inhale again. To be sure you’ve inhaled all the medication, don’t forget to open the mouthpiece, look at the capsule. If you see powder in the capsule, be sure to inhale again. When done, open the mouthpiece, drop that capsule into the trash, clean the mouthpiece with a cloth at least once a week. Always put the cover back on after use though to keep it clean.

How to Assemble the Neohaler^®

Each capsule for the Neohaler^® is individually wrapped. The wrapping is called a blister card. When you are ready to use the capsule, separate one blister pack from the blister card. Tear along the perforation to do this. Take the capsule out of the blister pack. To do this, find the corner of the blister pack. Peel back this corner of the blister pack to expose the foil. Push the capsule through the foil. Do not swallow the capsule.
Pull off the cover of the Neohaler^®.
Open the inhaler of the Neohaler^®.
Hold the base of the Neohaler^® and tilt the mouthpiece to open the inhaler.
Place the capsule in the hole in the center of the Neohaler^®.
Close the inhaler. You will hear a click when the mouthpiece is closed.
Leave the cover of the Neohaler^® off.

How to Perform an Inhaled Treatment

Hold the Neohaler^® with the mouthpiece up. Press both buttons on the sides of the Neohaler^® once firmly. This will pierce the capsule, so you can inhale the medication when you breathe in.
Hold the Neohaler^® away from your mouth and gently breathe out. Do not blow into the Neohaler^®.
Seal your lips around the mouthpiece. Hold the inhaler with the buttons to the left and right, not up and down.
Inhale rapidly and deeply but a rate sufficient to hear the capsule vibrate. Continue to take a full, deep breath.
Resume normal breathing.
Open the inhaler to see if there is still powder in the capsule. If there is powder in the capsule repeat the steps.

Taking an Inhaled Treatment

Open the mouthpiece and throw away the used capsule.
Keep the cover on the Neohaler^® when not in use. This will help keep the Neohaler^® clean and dry.

Note:This information is provided to you as an educational service of LUNG LINE. It is not meant to be a substitute for consulting with your own physician.

This information has been reviewed and approved by Ann Mullen, RN, CNS, MSN, AE-C (December 2014)

How to Assemble the Neohaler®

How to Perform an Inhaled Treatment

Taking an Inhaled Treatment

How to Assemble the Neohaler^®