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Inhalers, a Guide to Breath-Actuated Devices

Key features of dry powder and aerosol devices.

Guide to Breath-Actuated Inhalers
DRY POWDER
Device	Brand	Type	Dose Counter	Dose Check	Pack Size/No. of Doses	Comments
Accuhaler	Flixotide Seretide Serevent Ventolin	P LAB/P LAB R	Yes	Visual/lactose taste	60 60 60 60	Pre-loaded primed by opening. Easy to use, requires minimal dexterity to prime. Last 5 doses – red warning. Humidity protected.
Clickhaler	Asmabec Asmasal	P R	Yes	Visual/lactose taste	100 or 200 200	Pre-loaded primed by pressing button. Easy to use, requires minimal dexterity. Last 10 doses - red warning. Lock out mechanism after final dose. Humidity protected.
Diskhaler	Serevent	LAB	Yes	Visual/lactose taste	15 x 4	Requires dexterity to load. Separate cap. Humidity protected.
Easyhaler	Beclometasone Budesonide Formoterol Salbutamol	P P LAB/R R	Yes	Lactose taste	200 200 120 200	Pre-loaded, primed by pressing. Easy to use. Dose indicator with last 20 doses marked in red.
HandiHaler	Spiriva	LAB/P	No	Visual/distinct taste	30	Load each time with separate capsules. Requires dexterity to load. Protect capsules against extremes of temperature/humidity.
Inhaler	Foradil	LAB	No	Visual/lactose taste	14 x 4	Load each time with separate capsules. Requires dexterity to load. Separate cap. Humidity protected. Supplied in case.
Novolizer	Budelin Salbulin	P R	Yes	Visual/click/lactose taste	100 200	Load with cartridge. Primed by pushing down on button. Separate cap. Humidity protected.
Breezhaler	Onbrez	LAB/P	No	Audible/lactose taste	30	Load each time with separate capsules. Requires dexterity to load. Separate cap. Protect capsules against extremes of temperature/humidity.
Pulvinal	Beclometasone Salbutamol	P R	No	Visual/lactose taste	100 100	Pre-loaded primed by pressing button and twisting. Easy to use, requires minimal dexterity. Transparent drug reservoir. Humidity protected.
Turbohaler	Bricanyl Oxis Pulmicort Symbicort	R LAB/P/R P LAB/P	Yes	Lactose taste with Oxis and Symbicort	100 60 50, 100, 200 60 or 120	Pre-loaded, primed by twisting. Easy to use, requires minimal dexterity. Cog-wheel dose indicator with last 20 doses marked in red. Separate cap. Humidity protected.
Twisthaler	Asmanex	P	Yes	Visual/lactose taste	30 or 60	Pre-loaded primed by twisting cap off. Easy to use, requires minimal dexterity to prime. Separate cap. Humidity protected. Digital dose counter; counts down, locks cap when at zero.
AEROSOL
Device	Brand	Type	Dose counter	Dose check	Pack size/No. of doses	Comments
Autohaler	Airomir Qvar	R P	No	Click	200 200	Pre-loaded single action. Easy to use, requires minimal dexterity. Separate cap. Humidity protected.
EasiBreathe	Qvar Salamol	P R	No	Propellant taste	200 200	Pre-loaded primed by cap opening. Easy to use, requires minimal dexterity. Humidity protected.
Respimat	Spiriva	LAB/P	Yes	Visual	60	Propellant-free. Load with cartridge. Primed by twisting and pressing button. Dose indicator - last 14 puffs marked in red.
P=Preventer; R=Reliever; LAB=Long-acting bronchodilator See monographs for age restrictions and further dosage details. Prescribe by brand to avoid non-equivalent substitution. Note: All inhalers shown are CFC-free.

KEYWORDS: COPD | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

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