Drug delivery devices: Dry powder inhalers

Return to Index Step 1: Taking Control of Your Asthma Step 2: What is Asthma? Step 3: Know the Signs Step 4: How Asthma Is Diagnosed Step 5: The Levels of Severity Step 6: Determine Your Goals and Expectations Step 7: Asthma Drugs Step 8: Drug Delivery Devices Step 9: Understand Your Action Plan Step 10: Make "Peak Flow" a Habit! Step 11: Avoid Asthma Triggers Step 12: Visit Your Doctor Regularly Key Points Glossary

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This small device is similar to a metered dose inhaler (MDI), but the drug is in powder form. The patient exhales out a full breath, places the lips around the mouthpiece, then quickly breathes in the powder. Note that the technique is different than for MDIs -- dry powder inhalers do not require the timing and coordination that are necessary with MDIs. There are other important differences, so make sure that you always know the proper technique for the method you are using.

Dry powder inhalers are becoming more common, in part because they do not use the "CFC" propellant that used to be in all MDIs. (CFCs damage the ozone and will be phased out of MDIs in the next few years.) Dry powder inhalers are as effective as MDIs -- in fact, some may prove to be slightly more effective.

Naturally, there are several disadvantages. If the patient exhales directly toward the device, the powder can be blown out. Also, much of the powder ends up in the mouth, which can cause unwanted side effects -- this is similar to what happens when a patient puts an MDI directly into their mouth. As with MDIs, it is recommended that you wash your mouth after administering the drug.

Review Date: 5/16/2007
Reviewed By: Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., Department of Pediatrics, Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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