administering medicine

The following are tips to make administering medicine to your child safer, more effective, and less stressful.

Most importantly, make sure you are administering the right medicine

Your child will most likely have different kinds of asthma medicine. Controller medicine is used to control the long-term symptoms of asthma and to prevent future attacks. Rescue medicine is used to create instant relief during an asthma attack. Because they do different things, it is crucial that you know which medicine is which. Some parents mark the rescue medicine in some way (color coding, etc.) to make sure that it's handy and obvious in times of an attack.

During an attack

Every child is unique. Some children respond better to medication administered through an inhaler, while others respond better to medication administered through a nebulizer. Talk with your healthcare provider to figure out which device is more effective for your child during an asthma attack.

Inhaler: Your healthcare provider may recommend an inhaler. Your child may use a spacer with their inhaler. A spacer/valved holding chamber attaches to the inhaler and holds the medicine until your child can breathe it in. It helps coordinate the actuation and delivery of the asthma medicine efficiently and effectively. Some small children have a hard time using the spacer mouthpiece, so a mask spacer is usually used instead. Speak to your healthcare provider to determine which they think is best for your child.

  1. Remove the cap from the inhaler and the spacer.
  2. Have your child breathe out completely.
  3. If using a mouthpiece, place the mouthpiece of the spacer between your child's teeth and have them close their lips around it tightly.
  4. If using a mask, secure the mask over your child's mouth and nose.
  5. Spray the prescribed amount of medication into the spacer.
  6. Have your child breathe slowly and deeply for a few seconds.
  7. Put the cap back on the inhaler and the spacer.

Consult your child's healthcare provider for any specific instructions on their inhaler use.

Nebulizer: Your healthcare provider may recommend using a nebulizer. This device turns liquid asthma medicine into a fine mist, which your child inhales through a facemask.

  1. Measure the prescribed amount of liquid medication into the nebulizer cup.
  2. Attach the cap to the nebulizer cup, and then attach the cup to the mask.
  3. Connect the tubing to the nebulizer cup and to the nebulizer compressor.
  4. Have your child sit in a comfortable, upright position.
  5. Hold the nebulizer upright, and secure the mask on your child's face.
  6. Hold the nebulizer right side up and turn on the compressor.
  7. Have your child breathe as calmly and evenly as possible.
  8. Have your child continue breathing in the mist until no more mist is formed in the nebulizer.
  9. Follow the instructions that came with your nebulizer to take apart and clean after each use.

Consult your child's healthcare provider for any specific instructions on their inhaler use.

Practice with your child

You want your child to be comfortable with the device that will help them to breathe again, so practice using your child's nebulizer or inhaler (without medicine) with them before the next attack.

Nebulizers can sometimes be awkward. Here are some tips to help your child get used to the machine:

  • Make the time you spend using the nebulizer fun. Take the opportunity to read to your child, sing a special song, or turn on a favorite video. Allow your child to decorate the nebulizer with stickers.
  • Practice with the nebulizer (without medicine). When using the apparatus becomes familiar to your child, it won't seem as scary when you pull it out during an attack.
  • If your child is afraid of the mask, try suggesting that it is something your child would find fun, like a space mask.
  • Sit with your child -- and hold them, if possible -- while they're wearing the mask. This can be a calm, intimate time for both parent and child.
  • After each practice session, praise your child for their cooperation.

Educate your child's caregivers

Now that you and your child are experts in how to use a nebulizer and an inhaler, it's time to share that knowledge with your child's caregivers (anyone who might be with your child during an asthma attack).

  • Make sure each caregiver has an up-to-date copy of your child's Asthma Action Plan, and go over each step of the plan with them.
  • Show each caregiver your child's inhaler or nebulizer and demonstrate how it is used (without medicine). Make sure they also have written instructions on how to use these devices.
  • Have the caregiver practice helping your child with his or her nebulizer and/or inhaler (without medicine) while you are there.

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