Inhaled Medications

Inhaled medications, such as bronchodilators, mucolytic agents, and corticosteroids, are crucial for treating respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD. These medications are administered through various devices.

First are nebulizers, which convert liquid medication into a fine mist for inhalation and enable the medicine to reach the deeper areas of the respiratory tract.

It benefits patients with severe asthma or those who face difficulty using manual inhalers.

Next, metered-dose inhalers, or MDIs, are handheld devices that deliver precise doses of medication with each canister compression.

Using an MDI requires coordination between breathing and device activation, which can be challenging. For this reason, spacers or extenders are used for support.

Lastly, dry-powder inhalers deliver medication in a dry, powdered form.

They are activated by the user's breath, eliminating the need to coordinate between device activation and inhaling the medication.

Patients should rinse their mouth after using these devices, especially corticosteroids, to prevent oral fungal infections.