Resources · Managing Your Condition
Puffers & Inhalers

Accuhaler

Dry-powder blister inhaler (disc).

For patients & health professionals
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Authorship & review
Dr Sean James Ledger, BSc Physio (Hons) MSc PhD FHEA
Director and Principal Physiotherapist
Ahpra registration PHY0002298174
Version
1.1
Last updated
6 September 2026
Next review
6 September 2027
Every guide on this site is reviewed at least once a year, and sooner when the evidence changes.
How these guides are written and reviewed →
In plain language

An Accuhaler (also called a Diskus) is a round, disc-shaped dry-powder inhaler that holds doses in individual foil blisters. You open it and slide a lever to load each dose, then breathe in quickly and deeply. A counter shows how many doses remain.

Accuhaler
Accuhaler. Device shown for identification — your medicine and colour may differ.
Know which of your Accuhalers is the reliever

The Accuhaler is a device, not a medicine. A Ventolin Accuhaler (salbutamol) is a fast-acting reliever; Flixotide (fluticasone) is a preventer; and Seretide (fluticasone / salmeterol) contains salmeterol, which is long-acting but slow to start working — it must never be used for sudden breathlessness. Check the name on the inhaler before you take it.

Examples of this type

Different medicines come in this device. Common examples include:

Brand names are examples only and availability changes — always go by the name on your own inhaler and your prescriber's instructions.

How to use it — step by step

1
OpenHold the outer case and push the thumb-grip away from you until it clicks fully open, revealing the mouthpiece.
2
Load a doseSlide the lever away from you until it clicks. This brings a fresh blister of powder into place. Hold the Accuhaler level.
3
Breathe outBreathe out gently, away from the inhaler — never into it.
4
Seal and breathe inSeal your lips around the mouthpiece and breathe in quickly and deeply.
5
HoldRemove it and hold your breath about 6 seconds, then breathe out gently.
6
CloseClose the cover (this resets the lever). Rinse your mouth after steroid doses.

Getting the best from it

  • Keep it horizontal after loading so the powder does not fall out.1,2
  • Do not tilt, shake or breathe into it once a dose is loaded.
  • The dose counter turns red for the last few doses.

Looking after your inhaler

Wipe the mouthpiece with a dry tissue; keep it dry and closed when not in use.

Not sure your technique is right?

Most people lose some accuracy over time.3,4 We can check your inhaler technique at your appointment.

Getting your inhaler technique right →

Book an appointment

References & evidence base

  1. National Asthma Council Australia. Inhaler technique for people with asthma or COPD. Information paper for health professionals. Melbourne: National Asthma Council Australia, 2026.
  2. Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Inhaler technique — device-specific checklists. Sydney: ACSQHC, 2020.

Further reading

References are numbered in citation order (Vancouver/BMJ style) and were current at the time of writing. Always follow the leaflet for your specific device and your prescriber's instructions.

How we treat this at the clinic

Everything starts with an assessment — your symptoms, breathing, exercise tolerance and daily function measured properly, so what follows is built on your lungs rather than an average.

Physiotherapy Assessment →
Important: This page is general information on inhaler technique, not a prescription or medical advice. Always follow the instructions from your prescriber and pharmacist, and the leaflet inside your specific medicine. If you are unsure your inhaler is working, or your breathing worsens, contact your care team — or in an emergency call 000. For a technique check, contact Inspire Clinic.

Corrections: If something on this page is wrong, out of date or unclear, we want to know. Email reception@inspireclinic.au with the page name and what you believe is incorrect. Substantive corrections are made promptly, and the guide’s version and last-updated date are changed to reflect it.