Inhaler priming technique
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Inhaler Priming Technique and Its Importance
Priming an inhaler is a key step in ensuring effective medication delivery. For many inhaler devices, especially those with spacers, priming involves releasing several doses into the air before the first use or after a period of non-use. This process helps to coat the inner surfaces and reduce static charge, which can otherwise cause medication to stick to the device and not reach the lungs effectively Kenyon1998Hashim2019.
Impact of Priming on Medication Delivery and Lung Deposition
Research shows that priming plastic spacer devices significantly increases the amount of medication that reaches the lungs. In a study comparing primed and unprimed spacers, priming increased mean whole lung deposition by over 10% for both Nebuhaler and Volumatic plastic spacers. This improvement is due to the reduction of electrostatic charge, which otherwise causes medication particles to adhere to the spacer walls. Metal spacers, which do not accumulate static charge, do not require priming and provide more consistent drug delivery .
Common Errors in Inhaler Priming and Technique
Incorrect priming is a frequent error among inhaler users. Studies have found that improper priming is one of the most common mistakes, along with not exhaling before inhalation and not rinsing the mouth after corticosteroid use . In both children and adults, poor inhaler technique—including errors in priming—leads to reduced medication delivery and poor disease control Kamps2000Duarte-De-Araújo2019Gillette2016.
The Role of Education and Training in Correct Inhaler Use
Proper instruction and repeated demonstration of inhaler technique, including priming, are essential for effective medication delivery. Educational interventions have been shown to improve inhaler technique and disease outcomes in both children and adults Kamps2000Ilic2016Gregoriano2018+2 MORE. Regular assessment and re-education on inhaler use, with a focus on critical steps like priming, are recommended for all patients using inhalers De Vos2023Luu2024Ilic2016+3 MORE.
Conclusion
Priming is a crucial step in the correct use of many inhaler devices, especially plastic spacers, as it reduces static charge and increases the amount of medication delivered to the lungs. Failure to prime inhalers properly is a common error that can significantly reduce treatment effectiveness. Ongoing education and regular technique checks are necessary to ensure patients use their inhalers correctly and receive the full benefit of their medication.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic