Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is caused by chronic inflammation of the airways, leading to thickening of the airway walls, increased mucus production and, eventually, permanent changes in the structure of the lungs. One of the primary treatments is medication administered via inhalers - that is, inhaled medicines. The medicine goes directly to the lungs, where it is absorbed, providing a rapid effect and reducing the risk of systemic side-effects. It is important that inhalers are properly prepared, stored, maintained and administered with the correct inhalation technique. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to find out which inhaler medications are used by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In addition, we wanted to determine whether the written pharmaceutical guidance for inhaler use is consistent with evidence-based theory in practice. Methods: In this thesis, we have used a descriptive or descriptive method of work with a review of domestic and foreign literature. We searched for professional and scientific literature in the following databases: Medline, Science Direct and CINAHL, with the PubMed search engine and on the Google Scholar and DiKul web portals, during the time period between June 2022 and September 2022. The (in)appropriateness of the pharmaceutical instructions for inhaler use was presented in tables. Results: We searched for and analysed 30 pharmaceutical package leaflets for inhaled medicines. We found that patients use inhalers with propellant, dry powder and soft mist. The two most frequently inadequately stated, or not compliant with the standards, administration procedures are to exhale slowly before inhaling the medicine, away from the mouthpiece and to hold the breath for 10 seconds after inhalation. Most pharmaceutical instructions do not include information on moving the inhaler away from the mouth before exhalation and slow exhalation. The procedure for rinsing the mouth after taking inhaled medicines is most lacking or not described at all. Only dry powder inhalers with a disc device have adequately stated procedures. Discussion and conclusion: Pharmaceutical guidance is not the most consistent with evidence-based theory in practice. The most effective technique for training patients to use different inhalers is verbal instructions, combined with a demonstration by the provider and then a reciprocal demonstration by the patient. Patients and their relatives cannot only refer to the pharmaceutical instructions for using inhalers, they only serve to restore knowledge and help with use in the home environment.
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