Pharm Teaching Handout

How do you use your inhaler? The Newest Wave in Insulin

1. Place the cartridge as instructed inside the inhaler Inhaled Powder Insulin for Diabetics
(see* A & B)
2. Close the lid on the inhaler
3. Breath out then place mouth on the mouth and
breathe in and hold it as long as you can comfortably
then remove inhaler from your mouth (see *C)
4. Clean mouth piece after each use with soap & warm
water and let dry.
5. Replace inhale every 15 days.

*Steps A, B, & C

A. B.
C.

What is Afrezza? Afrezza (ah-fru-za) - is a dry Patient Instruction and Education
powder insulin diabetics breathe in (inhale).
You should take _ (8_) _ Units of Afrezza before each meal
How can Afrezza help lower your blood sugar? __ (0) _ Blue and/ or _ (1) _ Green cartridge
Afrezza is a quick acting inhaled powder Always check your blood sugar before using Afrezza
insulin that helps lowers high blood sugar in Take Afrezza before meals if blood sugar is above 80
adults with diabetes type I or type II. Do not increase or decrease the dose of Afrezza, take as
directed from your health care provider.
How do you take Afrezza? Afrezza is a dry Continue taking your _ (write in name) _ insulin as directed
powder available in 4 or 8 units’ cartridges is
placed in the disposable inhaler. The cartridges Do not smoke!!!!
are colored coded.
(Blue =4units & Green = 8units) Avoid heavy machinery until you know how it will affect
you
What are the side effects? Low blood sugar,
bronchospasm, decrease lung function, diabetic When do you CALL your Healthcare provider?
ketoacidosis
If your blood sugar is less than 60 or higher than 350
If you begin dieting, exercising, gaining or losing weight
If you become sick or coughing and develop a sore throat
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to become
pregnant

CALL 911

If you face, throat or tongue begins to swell.
If you become confused, dizzy, or extremely drowsy.
If you become short of breath, profuse sweating and/ or
notice fast heartbeat.