Your Doctor will prescribe the inhaler that is best suited for your needs. You may need to try a few different devices to see what is best for you. There are a variety of different medications and devices for delivering them. Reliever and controller medications may use the same type of device for delivery. Asthma medication is inhaled directly to the airways to treat the airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction so it is very important that you use them correctly to ensure maximum benefit of the medication. Please visit the various device usage pages of the website to learn more about proper inhaler techniques.
The main types of inhalers are:
Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs)
 This is likely the one you are most familiar with: also referred to as a ‘puffer’. You inhale the medication as you push down on the canister in the sleeve which will deliver a preset dose. Examples of MDI’s are: Ventolin, Flovent, Advair, Alvesco, Combivent, Airomir, and QVar.
This medication should be used with a spacer for increased delivery to the airways. When your inhaler is used alone, medicine often ends up in your mouth, throat, stomach and lungs. Medicine left in your mouth, throat and stomach may cause unpleasant taste and side effects. When you use a drug delivery system (a spacer) with your inhaler, more medicine is delivered to your lungs.
As shown here, a spacer (like an OptiChamber) helps get medicine to your lungs, where it works.
 Turbuhalers
These devices deliver a dry powder medication as you breathe in. Loading this device is done by turning the dial at the bottom until you hear the ‘click’. Examples of a turbuhaler medication are Symbicort, Bricanyl, Pulmicort and Oxeze.
 Diskus
This powder medication is inhaled from a device that resembles a ‘hockey puck.’ Loading the dose is done by opening the device, sliding the loading lever and inhaling from the mouthpiece. Examples of Diskus medications are Advair, Ventolin, Flovent and Serevent.
Remember to use your inhalers as directed by your Physician. Review the use of your inhalers at your next visit with your Doctor, Asthma Educator or Pharmacist.
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