Understand Your Medication

DPIs and MDIs

Both controller and reliever inhalers can come in different types of inhalers. The two primary types are metered dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs).

Dry Powder Inhalers

Dry powder inhalers are breath-actuated, which means a strong and fast breath is required to activate the inhaler to release the medication. Metered dose inhalers are actuated by pressing down on the inhaler.

Metered Dose Inhalers

MDIs are the more common of these two inhaler types. MDIs are more easily used by children and seniors who are unable to produce the inspiratory force required to properly use a DPI.¹² MDI actuation should be coordinated with a deep, slow inhalation, although this may be difficult to perform during an asthma attack. A spacer is recommended for all MDI users, regardless of age. DPIs however are not used with spacers.

Whether you are taking your controller or reliever MDI puffer, a spacer/chamber should be used with your puffer to help improve medication delivery.^4,7 

What is a Spacer?

A spacer is a device that holds inhaler medication suspended, allowing you more time to breathe in your inhaler medicine so that you don’t have to coordinate pressing the inhaler with inhalation. The chamber also filters out the larger droplets of aerosol medicine that would have deposited in the back of your throat.⁷

The majority of people do not use puffers correctly and many don’t even realize it.⁴ This results in less medication getting to the lungs, where it is needed. The majority of people have difficulties using their inhalers correctly. ^4,7 A chamber optimizes medication delivery to the lungs, so that you can best take control of your asthma.⁸ We offer a variety of spacers for at home and on-the-go use, for children and adults, that help to enhance medication delivery to your lungs.⁸

References

1. Asthma Canada. Asthma Facts and Statistics. https://asthma.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Asthma-101.pdf

2. Institute for Clinical Evaluative Services in Ontario (ICES) 1996. ICES Practice Atlas (second edition), June 1996

3. Bellamy D, Harris T. Poor perceptions and expectations of asthma control: Results of the International Control of Asthma Symptoms (ICAS) Survey of patients and general practitioners. Primary Care Respiratory Journal. Vol 14, Issue 5, October 2005. Pages 252-258

4. GINA Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention, 2020.

5. Asthma Canada Website. https://asthma.ca/get-help/understanding-asthma/

6. The Lung Association. Asthma Medications.

7. Suggett, J., et al. Drug Delivery to the Lungs, 2017.

8. Gillen, M., et al. Pulmonary and Therapeutics, 2018 Oct; 52:8-17.

9. The Ontario Asthma Surveillance Information System (OASIS) and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), Ontario. Asthma statistics. http://lab.research.sickkids.ca/oasis/oasis-statistics/

10. Government of Canada. Fast Facts about Asthma: Data compiled from the 2011 Survey on Living with Chronic Diseases in Canada.

11. World Health Organization. Asthma Key Facts. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma

12. Pritchard, J.N. (2020). The Climate is Changing for Metered-Dose Inhalers and Action is Needed. Drug Design, Development, and Therapy. Volume 14, 3043-3055.