I can see it on your face when I hand it to you in the clinic. This little round disc—often purple or orange—looks nothing like the L-shaped “puffer” you might be used to. It can feel a bit intimidating at first, but I promise, with a little practice, it becomes second nature.
This device is a Dry Powder Inhaler, or DPI for short. The name tells you exactly what it is: a way to breathe in your medicine as a very fine powder. Learning to use it correctly is the key to managing your breathing and feeling your best.
What Makes a Dry Powder Inhaler Different?
Think of your old puffer (what we call a metered-dose inhaler or MDI). When you press the canister, it actively sprays the medicine into your mouth. A Dry Powder Inhaler is different. It doesn’t push anything out.
Instead, it holds the medication ready for you to pull it into your lungs with your own breath. This is why the technique is so important—you need a quick, deep inhalation to get the full dose right where it needs to go.
The Diskus® is a common brand of DPI. You might know it by its medicine name, like Advair®, Flovent®, or Serevent®.
It has a handy dose counter right on top. It starts at 60 and counts down with each use. When the numbers 5 through 0 appear in red, it’s a little warning to call the pharmacy for a refill. Once it hits “0”, it’s empty. Time for a new one!
A Step-by-Step Guide to Using Your Diskus®
Let’s walk through this together. It might feel like a lot of steps, but it’s really just a simple rhythm.
| Step | Action | A Doctor’s Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Open | Hold the Diskus level in one hand. Place the thumb of your other hand on the thumb grip and push it away from you until it clicks open. | You’ll see the mouthpiece appear. Easy does it. |
| 2. Load | With the Diskus still flat, slide the small lever away from you until you hear a “click.” | This is the most important part! It loads your dose. The dose counter will go down by one. Don’t play with the lever; only slide it once when you’re ready. |
| 3. Breathe Out | Turn your head completely away from the Diskus and breathe out all the air you comfortably can. | Never breathe out into the inhaler. The moisture can make the powder clump up. |
| 4. Inhale | Seal your lips around the mouthpiece. Breathe in quickly and deeply. | Imagine trying to suck a thick milkshake through a straw. That’s the kind of strong, steady breath you need. |
| 5. Hold | Take the Diskus out of your mouth and hold your breath for about 10 seconds (or as long as you can). | This gives the medicine time to settle deep in your airways. |
| 6. Close | Slide the thumb grip back towards you to close the device. It will click shut. | This protects the mouthpiece and resets it for your next dose. |
| Extra Step for Steroids (like Flovent® or Advair®): After your dose, rinse your mouth with water, swish, and spit it out. Don’t swallow. This prevents a simple yeast infection in the mouth called thrush. | ||
How to Care for Your Diskus®
These devices are pretty sturdy, but they do have a few rules:
- Keep it dry. Store it at room temperature, away from steamy bathrooms.
- Never wash it. If the mouthpiece gets dirty, you can wipe it with a dry cloth. Never use water.
- Don’t shake it. The medicine is already measured out.
- Never use a spacer. Those plastic tubes are only for the “puffer” type inhalers.
A quick note: you might not taste or feel the powder when you inhale. That’s completely normal! Some people notice a slightly sweet taste, while others feel nothing. As long as you saw the dose counter go down, you can trust that you got your medicine.
Take-Home Message
- The Diskus® is a Dry Powder Inhaler that requires a quick, deep breath in to work correctly.
- Always check the dose counter. When the numbers turn red, it’s time for a refill. “0” means it’s empty.
- The key steps are: Open, Load, Breathe Out (away!), Inhale Deeply, Hold, and Close.
- If your Diskus® contains a steroid medicine, always rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after your dose.
- Keep your device dry and never try to wash it with water.
It’s all about building a new habit. Be patient with yourself. If you’re ever unsure or feel like it’s not working, just bring it to your next appointment. We can go over the steps together as many times as you need. You’re not alone in this.