Top-tier inhalers for managing asthma symptoms | Medical News Today's insights
In the world of asthma management, inhalers play a crucial role in delivering medication to relax the airways and reduce swelling and mucus. Here's a breakdown of four common types of inhalers and their unique characteristics.
Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) are pressurized canisters that release a specific dose of medication via a propellant when the user presses the canister. They require coordination between actuation (pressing) and inhalation, or the use of a spacer to ensure effective delivery. This precise dose delivery is a key advantage, although the spacer improves efficacy and reduces mouth deposition [1][5].
Breath-Actuated Inhalers (BAIs) are a subtype of MDIs that release their dose automatically upon detecting the patient’s inhalation, eliminating the need for coordination between pressing and breathing. This improves ease of use and timing for patients who struggle with MDI's coordination [2][4].
Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) contain medication in a dry powdered form and do not use propellants. Instead, the patient’s own inspiratory effort generates airflow that disperses and delivers the powder into the lungs. This requires a fast and deep inhalation, which may be challenging for very young children or severe asthma patients [1][2].
Soft Mist Inhalers create a slow-moving, long-lasting mist of medication using a mechanical spring mechanism (no propellant). This allows for easier inhalation and better lung deposition because the mist stays suspended longer than the spray from MDIs, requiring less precise coordination between inhalation and actuation [2].
| Inhaler Type | Mechanism | Inhalation Requirement | Notes | |-----------------------|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------|----------------------------------| | Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) | Propellant-driven aerosol spray | Coordination of actuation & inhalation (can use spacer) | Precise dose delivery; spacer improves efficacy and reduces mouth deposition [1][5] | | Breath-Actuated Inhaler (BAI) | Dose released upon inhalation effort | No coordination needed | Easier for patients with poor hand-breath coordination [2][4] | | Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) | Powder dispersed by patient’s fast inhalation | Requires fast, deep breath to disperse medication | No propellant; user effort critical for dose delivery [1][2] | | Soft Mist Inhaler | Mechanical spring generates slow mist | Less coordination needed; slow inhalation preferred | Delivers fine mist with longer lung residence [2] |
Proper patient education and device selection are essential in asthma management, as these differences affect their suitability for different patients depending on their age, inhalation strength, and ability to coordinate inhalation with device actuation.
When using an MDI or DPI inhaler, individuals should follow the manufacturer's instructions. For instance, ProAir Digihaler is a prescription DPI with albuterol as its active ingredient, suitable for use by people aged 4 years or older to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm and asthma symptoms. The ProAir app can be used to record usage of the inhaler and inhalation airflow.
Trelegy is a prescription DPI inhaler consisting of three DPIs: fluticasone, vilanterol, and umeclidinium, suitable for long-term use in adults. It has a dose counter and requires one dose every 24 hours. Trelegy is a maintenance inhaler for adults, and children over the age of 6 years, and Pulmicort is another maintenance inhaler for this age group. Pulmicort is a prescription DPI inhaler that contains the corticosteroid budesonide as its active ingredient. Pulmicort Flexhaler comes in two doses, 90 and 180 micrograms, and needs to be used twice per day.
It's important to note that asthma symptoms can worsen, and individuals should contact a doctor straight away if they experience wheezing, coughing, dizziness or faintness, chest tightness, chest pain, blue lips or nails, flaring the nostrils when breathing, rapid breathing, agitation, confusion, difficulty breathing, the skin between the throat and ribs appearing stretched while inhaling, finding it difficult to walk or talk, inhalers not relieving symptoms, or other warning signs [6].
- Proper education on asthma management is crucial, as different respiratory conditions may require various healthcare products, such as the proper choice of inhaler, which can affect their suitability for different patients, depending on their age, inhalation strength, and ability to coordinate inhalation with device actuation.
- In healthcare and wellness, it's essential to consider other medical-conditions, like mental health and nutrition, when managing a respiratory condition like asthma to ensure a holistic approach to the patient's overall well-being.
- trelegy, a prescription DPI inhaler, is suitable for long-term use in adults, containing three active ingredients – fluticasone, vilanterol, and umeclidinium, making it an option in the realm of respiratory-conditions treatment.
- ProAir Digihaler is another example of a prescription DPI inhaler, suitable for people aged 4 years and older to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm and asthma symptoms, featuring a unique attribute in promoting fitness-and-exercise and asthma management.
- Despite the essential role of inhalers in asthma management, it is important to be aware of the potential worsening of symptoms, and individuals should consult a medical professional promptly if they experience warning signs such as wheezing, coughing, dizziness, or finding it difficult to walk or talk.
