Medicines and prescriptions
What Does Priming an Inhaler or Pen Mean?
Priming · say it: PRY-mingAlso written: prime the inhaler, prime the pen, priming the pump, test spray
Short answer
Priming means getting a device such as an inhaler, nasal spray or injection pen ready by releasing a test spray or dose so the next dose is full.
What it means
Priming is a step in getting a medicine device ready to use. With inhalers and nasal sprays, it usually means spraying one or more test puffs into the air, away from the face. With injection pens, it means pushing out a small amount to clear air from the needle. Priming makes sure the device delivers the right amount of medicine.
Labels and instructions for use say when to prime: before first use, after the device has not been used for a set number of days, or after it has been dropped or cleaned. If a device is not primed when needed, the first dose may be smaller than it should be. The exact steps and number of sprays differ between products, so follow the leaflet for your device.
Priming is different from shaking, which mixes the contents, and from cleaning. Some devices, such as certain dry powder inhalers, do not need priming at all.
Where you may see it
- The 'Instructions for Use' leaflet with inhalers, nasal sprays and injection pens
- The 'Dosage and Administration' section of inhaler labels
- Pharmacy counselling notes
📄 How it looks on a report
Prime the inhaler before using it for the first time by releasing 4 test sprays into the air, away from the face.
🙅 What it does not mean
- The test sprays do not count as doses and are not wasted medicine; they are part of correct use.
- Not every device needs priming; check your own leaflet.
- Priming does not mean you can skip shaking the inhaler if the instructions say to shake.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
🧾 Reports where you will see “Priming”
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💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Priming”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Fluticasone Propionate
A corticosteroid, which is a steroid medicine, given as a nasal spray
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Priming” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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