Metered dose inhalers (MDIs) that contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are being phased out. Manufacturers use CFCs as propellants to move the medicine out of the inhaler so patients can breathe the medicine into their lungs.
CFCs are harmful to the environment because they decrease the protective ozone layer above the Earth.
Drug delivery through aerosol is an important part of Asthma and COPD treatment. To use your metered dose inhaler (MDI), first talk to your health professional to be sure that you ar e using your MDI correctly.
Pressurized Metered-Dose Inhalers, currently the most commonly used, delivers a measured amount of medication n and produce excellent results when used correctly.
Metered dose inhalers are delivered directly to the lungs via inhalation. The inhalers consist of a small aerosol canister with or without a counter. There are several types of metered dose inhaler that deliver a variety of medications to effectively treat many respiratory diseases, including asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
A spacer is a 4 - 8 inch tube that fits on the end of the MDI mouthpiece. A spacer is a chamber that can be attached to a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). The spacer chamber may have a one-way valve that allows the medicine to be held in the chamber before it is inhaled. Spacers are used by prescription only, and can be found at some pharmacies or durable medical equipment companies.
Using an inhaler seems simple, but most patients do not use it correctly. When you use your inhaler the wrong way, less medicine can get to your lungs. It is important to use your inhaler as directed by your doctor, if you're not sure how often, or when you should use your inhaler, or how many puffs you should take you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can also show you how to use your inhaler.
Inhaled medications are the cornerstone of asthma therapy, but they can only be effective if they are used properly. Using your inhaler correctly delivers the medication to your lungs, where it can work better to control your Asthma signs and symptoms. Using an inhaler incorrectly means that little or no medicine reaches the lungs. In order to gain maximum benefit from these inhalers, they need to be used correctly. However, the steps involved in doing so are different for each inhaler.
It is important that you use your inhaler properly. Your doctor or asthma nurse should explain how to use your inhaler so that every dose you take gives you the most benefit. It's very common to experience problems using inhalers.
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The market of asthma inhalers is ever expanding: new medications are being invented; old ones are being improved by modern cutting edge medical technology. Some brands end up being forcibly pushed onto pharmacies and medical stores as the best asthma inhalers on the market, which cannot possibly be true. There are many different brands and types of inhaler devices, suited for different patient's needs and medical conditions. Talk to your doctor about the best kind of inhaler for you.
The new inhalers use a chemical called hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) to deliver the medication to the lungs. HFA devices may have a different taste compared to the previous CFC inhalers, and the spray may feel softer. However, this does not mean the medicine is not reaching your lungs.
In addition, HFA inhalers need to be cleaned and primed to prevent medication build up and blockage. Each manufacturer will provide instructions about how to use their inhaler.