Breathing easy: the work of an asthma inhaler

Today inhalers are still the primary patient tool for asthma management. These small but mighty devices deliver medication, as a dry powder or fine mist, directly into lungs. This action quickly reduces inflammation, opening up airways and making it easier to breathe. 

Inhalers were first introduced in the 1950s. In fact, it was a young woman who helped inspire the development of the first inhaler when she asked why asthma medication couldn’t be delivered like her hairspray. Today in the US more than 60 million prescriptions for inhalers are written annually. And though the devices all look generally the same, there are differences in purpose.

In the simplest of terms, a rescue inhaler in used to relieve the symptoms of an asthma attack while a preventer inhaler seeks to prevent attacks in the first place. Rescue inhalers contain a kind of medicine called a bronchodilator. This therapy which many people know as albuterol relaxes airways; it used in respiratory conditions beyond asthma (such as COPD).

Corticosteroids are another kind of medicine used to help control asthma. This therapy is what preventer inhalers deliver in an effort to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of an attack. Some people use this type of inhaler on a daily basis. 

In addition to the two main types of inhalers, there is a third kind which is a combination therapy containing both a bronchodilator and a corticosteroid.

Regardless of which type of inhaler a doctor prescribes, there is a small bit of work for patients and/or caregivers to ensure this medicine’s effectiveness. First, it is vital to track used doses to know when a 'refill' is needed. Some inhalers have a dose counter to help with this. It is also important to track expiration dates, particularly on rescue inhalers as they may not be used all that often for well-controlled asthma. It may be tempting to use a rescue inhaler with doses left even if it has expired, but it should be discarded and replaced.

Proper storage of an inhaler is also a vital patient or caregiver task. Inhalers that arrive through the mail should be brought inside and out of extreme heat or cold as soon as possible. This may mean being aware of delivery timelines and status. Inhalers should be stored at room temperature which is 59°F and 77°F. In addition, inhalers must be kept dry to preserve a functional inhaler mechanism. They should also be stored away from direct sunlight, capped after every use to prevent particles from entering the inhaler, and kept away from sharp objects that could puncture the canister.

In the nearly 70 years since asthma inhalers were first introduced, they have become the gold standard treatment for the condition. Yet ongoing clinical research aims to find new ways to diagnose, prevent, and treat the condition. There is great interest in how personalized medicine can be used to tailor treatments to a patient based on their genetic profile. For cases of severe asthma that don’t respond well to treatment, there is also ongoing research in the field of biologic therapies for new ways to target pathways of inflammation.

In terms of where medical research around the inhaler devices themselves is headed, today there is significant effort to create a more environmentally friendly inhaler. The most common type of inhaler relies on a propellant to release the medicine. This propellant contains a form of greenhouse gas. With each use, a small amount of carbon is emitted into the environment. Today pharmaceutical manufacturers are actively investigating other propellant types that match effectiveness of the current formulation but lack the environmental impact.

Asthma inhalers are extremely beneficial to both adults and children contending with the condition. If you have questions about your inhaler or treatment plan, it is best to consult your physician. Often times insurance companies have care management resources to support asthma patients, so that may be another resource worth investigating to learn about proper inhaler usage. If you are interested in clinical research opportunities for asthma, sign-up with us today!