Background: The MDI's are widely used in the treatment of asthma and are relatively easy to use. The response to this medicament is influenced by several facts that include the physical characteristics of the container and the technique used by the patient.
Objective: To identify the mistakes made by asthmatic children and teenagers in the use of the MDI's.
Material and methods: This paper was a descriptive and observational study in 57 asthmatic patients who were between 5 to 17 years. For the evaluation of the inhalation technique we used a placebo without a spacer. There are 5 steps for the correct use of the inhaled medications: 1) opening, 2) agitation, 3) coordination between inhalation and the shoot of the MDI's, 4) a deep breath and holding it for at lest 6 seconds.
Results: 20 of the 57 patients (35%) followed all the steps correctly. The most frequent mistake was to take the deep breath, which was perform only by 20 (35%) out of the children. The second mistake we found in this study was the up holding inspiration at least for 6 seconds, which was done properly only by 31 patients (54%).
Conclusions: The implantation of inhaled therapy programs directed and performed by specialists is recommended.