Inhalers

The most common and effective way to take asthma medications is via the inhalers. With inhalers, the medicine goes straight into the lungs. Inhalers reduce the dose that should be taken with oral pills and reduce the side effects that could result from the medicine. Inhalers are very important in the management of asthma. Patients with asthma experience better outcomes with continued use of inhalers.

Inhalers are not only for patients with advanced asthma. They are also recommended for newly diagnosed patients of asthma because they are convenient and an effective method for administering asthma medicine to the site of action in the airways. This also reduces the side effects.

There are two main types of inhalers:

Relievers

Controllers or Preventer inhalers

Inhalers deliver medicine either in a spray form (aerosol), or a dry powder form. If inhalers are not used the right way, the adequate amount of the medicine may not get to the lungs. Such a patient may present with poorly controlled asthma which may cause lots of discomforting symptoms (with the possibility of death), wastes the money spent to purchase the medicine; wastes the time spent at the health facility; involves parents, guardian or caregivers who may miss work. Hence, poor inhaler techniques may increase the cost of asthma management.

Relievers give rapid relief from symptoms. They are sometimes called rescue inhalers.

Controllers help control the swelling and inflammation in the airways thus, preventing asthma attacks. Controllers should be used every day, even when the asthma patient feels well..

If an asthma patient is not sure about his/her inhaler technique, a health professional can check it for him/her. Pharmacists play important roles in ensuring proper inhaler techniques, as they are readily accessible.

If an asthma patient finds it difficult to use his/her inhaler, he/she can discuss with the prescriber on the possibility of changing to a different device that is easier for use. If it appears the inhaler is not helping with the symptoms, the possibility of changing the medication can also be discussed.

Some patients may benefit from spacer devices. A spacer is a plastic or metal container with a mouthpiece at one end and a hole for the inhaler at the other. Spacers are used for aerosols only. They make aerosol inhalers easier to use and more effective as they get more medicine into the lungs than when just using the inhaler.

Using asthma medicines with other medicines

Some medicines can lead to asthma attacks in a few people. Always tell your pharmacist you have asthma when picking up prescription medicines or buying over-the-counter medicines.

Asthma Attacks

Asthma attacks are often the result of a gradual worsening of symptoms over a few days. If asthma symptoms are getting worse, do not ignore them. You can tell there is asthma attack when:

The reliever inhaler isn’t helping

The symptoms are getting worse (cough, breathlessness, wheeze or tight chest)

The asthma patient is too breathless to speak, eat, walk easily or sleep

The breathing is getting faster and it feels like the patient cannot get to breath in properly

How do I act if an attack occurs?

Move away from the trigger that started the attack

Immediately, take 1 – 2 puffs of the reliever inhaler or some inhalations of the dry powder inhaler used as a reliever

Sit down upright and try to take slow, steady breaths. Don’t lie down.

If you don’t start to feel better, take two more puffs of the reliever inhaler every two minutes. You can take up to ten puffs If you still don’t feel better, call your physician or go to the hospital immediately

Even if the asthma patient feels better, he/she should still see the physician as soon as possible

To manage asthma better

Know the asthma symptoms

Avoid triggers

Follow the advice of health professionals

Inhalers

There are two main types of inhalers:

Using asthma medicines with other medicines

Asthma Attacks

How do I act if an attack occurs?

To manage asthma better

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