My name is Sam Alcroft, and I have a respiratory condition.
My name is Sam Alcroft, and I have a respiratory condition.

The result of that is I have to use one of these, an Accuhaler.
The result of that is I have to use one of these, an Accuhaler.

Mines is purple, yours might be a different colour.
Mines is purple, yours might be a different colour.

I'm going to give you a quick
I'm going to give you a quick

and easy guide to using one of these. However I do recommend
and easy guide to using one of these. However I do recommend

that you read the instructions fully and keep them somewhere safe,
that you read the instructions fully and keep them somewhere safe,

so you can always refer to them.
so you can always refer to them.

I will cover a few important points
I will cover a few important points

about the inhaler, then I will talk you through on how to use it,
about the inhaler, then I will talk you through on how to use it,

before I actually demonstrate using it.
before I actually demonstrate using it.

Finally I will give you some tips on cleaning, storing, reordering.
Finally I will give you some tips on cleaning, storing, reordering.

What to do you if you miss or take too much.
What to do you if you miss or take too much.

And what to do when you're visiting a hospital or clinic.
And what to do when you're visiting a hospital or clinic.

Some inhalers are given to prevent flare-ups.
Some inhalers are given to prevent flare-ups.

You must take these regularly at the same time each day.
You must take these regularly at the same time each day.

They would not prevent flare-ups if you used only when your condition got worse.
They would not prevent flare-ups if you used only when your condition got worse.

This is because they can take a few days or more to work.
This is because they can take a few days or more to work.

The Accuhaler is a dry powder inhaler.
The Accuhaler is a dry powder inhaler.

This means that the drug comes in the form of a dry powder,
This means that the drug comes in the form of a dry powder,

which is inhaled directly into your lungs.
which is inhaled directly into your lungs.

The Accuhaler
The Accuhaler

is a nice compact style, has a nice thumb grip.
is a nice compact style, has a nice thumb grip.

Which you use to slide open, to reveal the mouthpiece.
Which you use to slide open, to reveal the mouthpiece.

The second lever slides open,
The second lever slides open,

and that disperses the drug, ready to use.
and that disperses the drug, ready to use.

Your dose counter is this small window here.
Your dose counter is this small window here.

Starts from 60, working its way down.
Starts from 60, working its way down.

It'll go red once it reaches 5.
It'll go red once it reaches 5.

And that gives you an indicator of when to reorder.
And that gives you an indicator of when to reorder.

Once you receive your new inhaler check the expiry date on the box.
Once you receive your new inhaler check the expiry date on the box.

If you've already threw the box away there's also
If you've already threw the box away there's also

an expiry date actually on the inhaler. As shown here.
an expiry date actually on the inhaler. As shown here.

When you collect your new inhaler
When you collect your new inhaler

it'll be in a box and also in a foil wrap.
it'll be in a box and also in a foil wrap.

Do not open this until you're ready to use your inhaler.
Do not open this until you're ready to use your inhaler.

Tear along
Tear along

the foil wrapping from the jagged edge, throw away the foil.
the foil wrapping from the jagged edge, throw away the foil.

Your inhaler is ready to use.
Your inhaler is ready to use.

Hold your inhaler in one hand,
Hold your inhaler in one hand,

with your other hand place your thumb in the thumb grip.
with your other hand place your thumb in the thumb grip.

And push away from you.
And push away from you.

CLICK
CLICK

You'll know when it's in position when you hear that click.
You'll know when it's in position when you hear that click.

And now you've exposed your mouthpiece.
And now you've exposed your mouthpiece.

To load your inhaler,
To load your inhaler,

slide the lever down on the side.
slide the lever down on the side.

Always remember to keep your inhaler in an upright position.
Always remember to keep your inhaler in an upright position.

Slide the lever down until you hear it click.
Slide the lever down until you hear it click.

CLICK
CLICK

Like so.
Like so.

Your inhaler is ready for action.
Your inhaler is ready for action.

Hold the inhaler away from you,
Hold the inhaler away from you,

and exhale as much as possible.
and exhale as much as possible.

Remember and not to breathe out, into the inhaler. Like so.
Remember and not to breathe out, into the inhaler. Like so.

EXHALES
EXHALES

This will give you a nice deep breath in, when ready.
This will give you a nice deep breath in, when ready.

Once you do that, put the mouth piece to your mouth
Once you do that, put the mouth piece to your mouth

and seal it with your lips.
and seal it with your lips.

And take a big deep breath in.
And take a big deep breath in.

Take the inhaler away from your mouth
Take the inhaler away from your mouth

and hold your breath for up to 10 seconds.
and hold your breath for up to 10 seconds.

After 10 seconds you can exhale slowly.
After 10 seconds you can exhale slowly.

Close the inhaler
Close the inhaler

by placing your thumb in the thumb grip
by placing your thumb in the thumb grip

and pulling it back towards you.
and pulling it back towards you.

CLICK
CLICK

This will also reset the lever.
This will also reset the lever.

Now I'm gonna show you how to do it.
Now I'm gonna show you how to do it.

CLICK
CLICK

CLICK
CLICK

EXHALES
EXHALES

INHALES DEEPLY
INHALES DEEPLY

EXHALES SLOWLY
EXHALES SLOWLY

CLICK CLICK
CLICK CLICK

After using your inhaler it's always recommended that you brush your teeth,
After using your inhaler it's always recommended that you brush your teeth,

or use a mouth wash.
or use a mouth wash.

The side effects of the inhaler
The side effects of the inhaler

is that you may have a mild infection, or a voice hoarseness.
is that you may have a mild infection, or a voice hoarseness.

Clean your inhaler at least once a week,
Clean your inhaler at least once a week,

with a dry tissue.
with a dry tissue.

Simply just brush over the mouthpiece.
Simply just brush over the mouthpiece.

CLICK
CLICK

And close.
And close.

Always keep your inhaler somewhere that won't get moist or wet.
Always keep your inhaler somewhere that won't get moist or wet.

It's also a good idea to keep it somewhere that you would remember to take it.
It's also a good idea to keep it somewhere that you would remember to take it.

Such as your bedside cabinet or kitchen table.
Such as your bedside cabinet or kitchen table.

If you forget to take your inhaler
If you forget to take your inhaler

and it's only one or two hours, then that's fine. Take it.
and it's only one or two hours, then that's fine. Take it.

If it's longer than two hours,
If it's longer than two hours,

then just skip it and get back on track on your next dose.
then just skip it and get back on track on your next dose.

If you take too much, then contact a healthcare professional for advice.
If you take too much, then contact a healthcare professional for advice.

The inhaler has a dose counter.
The inhaler has a dose counter.

It counts down from 60 to 0.
It counts down from 60 to 0.

The numbers turn red when you have 5 left.
The numbers turn red when you have 5 left.

This is when should order a new one and not before.
This is when should order a new one and not before.

As they may expire.
As they may expire.

Finally, when popping along to a clinic or a hospital visit.
Finally, when popping along to a clinic or a hospital visit.

It's always handy to take along your inhalers and any other prescribed medicine that you may be on,
It's always handy to take along your inhalers and any other prescribed medicine that you may be on,

to have them checked out by a healthcare professional.
to have them checked out by a healthcare professional.