Ahpra registration PHY0002298174
How these guides are written and reviewed →
A pMDI — the classic "puffer" — is a pressurised canister that fires a measured spray of medicine when you press it. The key skill is a slow, gentle breath in that starts just before you press, so the fine mist travels deep into the lungs instead of hitting the back of the throat. A spacer makes this much easier and is recommended for most people.
Puffers look almost identical but do very different jobs. A reliever (usually blue, such as Ventolin or Airomir, both salbutamol) works within minutes and is the one to reach for when you are short of breath. A preventer or combination puffer works gradually and will not help during an attack, however many extra puffs you take. If you are not certain which is which, bring all your inhalers to your next appointment and we will label them with you.
Examples of this type
Different medicines come in this device. Common examples include:
- Ventolin / Airomir (salbutamol)
- QVAR (beclometasone)
- Flixotide (fluticasone)
- Seretide / Evocair MDI (fluticasone / salmeterol)
- Atrovent (ipratropium)
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
Getting the best from it
- A slow, gentle inhalation is correct for a pMDI — not a fast, hard one.1,2
- Firing two puffs in one breath wastes medicine — one puff per breath.
- Using a spacer improves how much medicine reaches your lungs and reduces side-effects.3
Looking after your inhaler
Wipe the plastic mouthpiece weekly with a dry tissue — do not wash the metal canister. Keep the cap on. Note the dose counter, or track doses, so you replace it before it runs out.
Most people lose some accuracy over time.4,5 We can check your inhaler technique at your appointment.
References & evidence base
- National Asthma Council Australia. Inhaler technique for people with asthma or COPD. Information paper for health professionals. Melbourne: National Asthma Council Australia, 2026.
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Inhaler technique — device-specific checklists. Sydney: ACSQHC, 2020.
- Vincken W, Levy ML, Scullion J, et al. Spacer devices for inhaled therapy: why use them, and how? ERJ Open Res 2018;4(2):00065-2018.
Further reading
- Sanchis J, Gich I, Pedersen S; ADMIT Group. Systematic review of errors in inhaler use: has patient technique improved over time? Chest 2016;150(2):394–406.
- Usmani OS, Lavorini F, Marshall J, et al. Critical inhaler errors in asthma and COPD: a systematic review of impact on health outcomes. Respir Res 2018;19(1):10.
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.
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.
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.