Introduction to asthma and COPD inhalers

There are many inhaler devices currently on the market for patients with COPD and asthma.

• MDI
• Respimat
• Dry powder inhalers
  • HandiHaler, Breezhaler, Aerolizer
  • Turbuhaler
  • Diskus
  • Genuair
  • Ellipta

Metered Dose Inhaler

• Aerosolized medication delivered from canister
• Spacer is recommended for all ages (spacer simply attaches onto the mouth piece of the inhaler, especially useful for individuals where coordination between inhalation and pressing on canister is an issue)

Respimat

• Soft mist inhaler
• Not used with kids

Handihaler, Breezhaler, Aerolizer

• Requires placing individual capsule containing powdered medication into device, and then piercing capsule to release medication
• Head dexterity and the ability to follow and perform multiple steps are required in order to use this device

Turbuhaler (e.g. pulmicort, symbicort)

• Dry powder inhaler that contains a reservoir of powdered medication (unlike Handihalers for instance which provide doses in individual capsules) that is loaded into an internal well just prior to use
• Inhalation-driven: requires forceful inhalation to get full dose (not used in < 5 years or in patients with severe COPD symptoms)

Diskus, Genuair, Ellipta

• Similar to Turbuhaler in that it requires deep, and forceful inhalation
• It is different from Turbuhaler in that for example Diskus contains a coiled strip containing metered single dose blisters of medication; the medication isn’t stored in a reservoir