Alternative medicine (2)
- Asthma treatment: Do complementary and alternative approaches work?
- Hypnosis: Another way to manage pain, kick bad habits
Causes (1)
- Allergies
Complications (1)
- Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)
Definition (1)
- Allergies and asthma: They often occur together
Lifestyle and home remedies (3)
- Asthma in adults: Gain control with a written asthma plan
- Asthma-friendly products: Do they help reduce symptoms?
- Asthma: Use a peak flow meter to gain control
Prevention (1)
- Asthma: Limit asthma attacks caused by colds or flu
Symptoms (1)
- Symptom Checker
Tests and diagnosis (1)
- Asthma: Steps in testing and diagnosis
Treatments and drugs (6)
- Asthma treatment: 3 steps to better asthma control
- Asthma medications: Know your options
- Asthma inhalers: Which one's right for you?
- see all in Treatments and drugs
Mayo Clinic Health Manager
Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.
Get Started
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Asthma inhalers: Which one's right for you?
Inhalers allow people with asthma to lead active lives without fear of an attack. Here's a rundown of inhaler types, with tips on proper use.
By Mayo Clinic staffInhalers have transformed asthma treatment. They enable children and adults with asthma to deliver medicine directly to their lungs nearly anytime and anywhere. A variety of inhalers are available to help relieve or control asthma symptoms.
Types of inhalers
Inhalers are hand-held portable devices that deliver medication directly to the lungs. A variety of inhalers exist, but they basically fall into two categories:
Metered dose inhalers
These inhalers use a chemical propellant to force a measured dose of medication out of the inhaler. They consist of a pressurized canister containing medication, a mouthpiece and a metering valve that dispenses the correct dose of medication. The medication is released either by squeezing the canister or by inhaling. You may find it easier to use a hand-actuated inhaler with a spacer — a short tube that attaches to the inhaler. Using a hand-actuated inhaler to release the medication into the chamber gives you time to inhale more slowly. It decreases the amount of medicine that's deposited on the back of your throat and increases the amount that ultimately reaches your lungs.
Some metered dose inhalers have counters so that you know how many doses remain. If there is no counter, you have to track of the number of doses you've used so that you know when the inhaler is out of medication.
The chemical propellant in metered dose inhalers has traditionally been a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). But after an international agreement to ban CFCs because they damage the ozone layer, other propellants such as hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) are now used instead. The dose of medication released by an HFA inhaler may feel softer and warmer than the dose released by a CFC inhaler. If you're used to a CFC inhaler, it may not seem like a complete dose — even though the medication is reaching your lungs.
Dry powder inhalers
These inhalers don't use a chemical propellant to push the medication out of the inhaler. Instead, the medication is released by breathing in more quickly than you would with a traditional metered dose inhaler.
Some people find dry powder inhalers easier to use than the conventional pressurized metered dose inhalers because hand-lung coordination isn't required. Some models require operating a cocking device that requires dexterity. Available types include a dry powder tube inhaler, a powder disk inhaler and a single-dose dry powder disk inhaler. Spacers shouldn't be used with dry powder inhalers.
Comparing inhaler types
Choosing the right kind of inhaler for you depends on several factors, such as your hand-breath coordination, your dexterity, whether you can take a deep, fast breath, and what types of medication you need. The chart below can help you understand the pros and cons of each type. Work with your doctor to find the best inhaler for your needs.
Inhaler features
| Metered dose inhaler | Metered dose inhaler with a spacer | Dry powder inhaler |
|---|---|---|
| Portable and convenient | Less portable and convenient, more complex and more expensive than a metered dose inhaler without a spacer | Portable and convenient |
| Doesn't require a deep, fast breath | Doesn't require a deep, fast breath | Requires a deep, fast breath |
| Accidental exhalation before activation won't disrupt medication | Accidental exhalation before activation won't disrupt medication | Accidental exhalation before activation will blow away medication |
| Hand-actuated models without a spacer require hand-breath coordination | Hand-breath coordination is not critical | Hand-breath coordination is not necessary |
| Can result in large amounts of medication on the back of your throat and tongue | Less medication settles on the back of your throat and tongue | Can result in large amounts of medication on the back of your throat and tongue |
| Minimal or no maintenance required | Spacer requires periodic cleaning with soap and water | Minimal or no maintenance required |
| Some models require you to keep track of how many doses remain | Some models require you to keep track of how many doses remain | It is clear when the device is out of medication |
| Requires shaking and priming | Requires shaking and priming, correct use of spacer | Single-dose models require loading capsules for each use |
| Humidity does not affect medication | Humidity does not affect medication | High humidity can cause powdered medication to clump |
(1 of 2)
