Patient was educated on how to use Flovent diskus inhaler as follows:

  1. A Flovent diskus dispenses dry Flovent inhaler powder, in contrast to the aerosol inhaler.
  2. Make sure the diskus and mouthpiece are clean before use every time. Use a dry cloth to wipe the diskus clean before use.
  3. Do not wet or wash the Flovent diskus and the mouthpiece. Always, maintain them dry.
  4. Hold the Flovent diskus in one hand and using the other hand, push the thumb grip of the diskus away from you to the far end, when you hear the click.
  5. This dispenses the dry Flovent inhaler powder into place and ready to be inhaled.
  6. Perform a normal quiet breathing in and then, breath out normally, away from the diskus.
  7. Bring the mouthpiece closer to your mouth and close the mouthpiece tightly, with the lips around it.
  8. Breath in slow and deep for one complete breath, for a count of 5 seconds.
  9. Withdraw the Flovent diskus from the mouth.
  10. Hold your breath for 5 to 10 seconds giving time for the dry Flovent inhalation powder to be deposited into the airways, for it to act and breath out slowly.
  11. If you are ordered to have two inhalations as your dose, wait for a minute before using it again.
  12. After completing your dose of inhalations, close the diskus, by drawing the thumb grip in the opposite direction, towards yourself, until you hear a click.
  13. Usually, the Flovent diskus inhalers come with a built-in counter, to help keep track of the doses used. The numbers on the diskus indicate the doses still left for use. When the number of doses left come down to 5, the numbers on the diskus start appearing in red, indicating the need for refill.
  14. Gargle and rinse the mouth with water after every dose of Flovent inhalation. Spit out this water after rinsing and do not swallow. This helps prevent opportunistic candida infection in the oral cavity.
  15. Compliance with the use of Flovent inhalations as ordered, at regularly spaced intervals, is very important to control the inflammation of the respiratory tract and prevent any exacerbation of asthma and COPD attacks.
  16. Do not overdose on the use of Flovent inhalations, as it can significantly increase the chances of side effects of steroid use.