Primary Care Respiratory Journal

Volume 18 Issue 4 December 2009

Review

Not all asthma inhalers are the same: factors to consider when prescribing an inhaler

Pages 243-249
^*Henry Chrystyn^a, David Price^b

^aDepartment of Pharmacy, University of Huddersfield, School of Applied Sciences, Queensgate, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK

^bDepartment of General Practice and Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK

Received 14 October 2008 • Accepted 22 February 2009 • Online 9 June 2009

Abstract
National and international asthma guidelines stress that before making changes to patients’ therapy their compliance and inhaler technique should be checked. This review addresses these issues and highlights the differences between inhalers in terms of inhaler technique, individual ability/competence, and ease of use. The advantages and disadvantages of metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are presented. The reformulation of beclometasone MDIs is discussed since there has been some confusion over prescribing and Regulatory Authorities have recommended that these should be prescribed by brand name and not generically. This review should provide prescribers with an update to help them appreciate the differences between inhalers thereby optimising each patient’s inhaled treatment.

Cite as: Chrystyn H, Price D. Not all asthma inhalers are the same: factors to consider when prescribing an inhaler. Prim Care Respir J 2009;18(4):243-249. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4104/pcrj.2009.00029

Keywords
Asthma, inhalers, inhalation technique, compliance, CFC-Free MDI, DPI

* Corresponding author. Henry Chrystyn Tel: 01484 472783 Fax: 01484 472182 Email: h.chrystyn@hud.ac.uk

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