What Is an Inhaler
An inhaler is a device used to deliver drugs to the body via the lungs for the treatment or prevention of diseases of the airways such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cystic fibrosis. However, because the lungs have a good blood supply inhalers can also be used to get other drugs into the body via the lungs such as treatments for influenza or, more recently, insulin for patients with diabetes. However, most inhalers are used for breathing problems, and as such, the inhaled route is of limited value to patients that have problems swallowing their medicines, as most medicines are not available as inhalers.Using an inhaler to deliver a drug straight to the lungs where it is needed means it is likely to work quicker. Smaller doses are also needed rather than using tablets or injections, which reduces the risks of side effects.
Pharmaceutical Inhalers
Advantages
Projection
Problem
Inhaler therapy for asthma can be slightly confusing. It is important that you understand what your different inhalers contain, how they work and when to use them.
A blue inhaler contains a short-acting reliever of symptoms (most commonly salbutamol). Salbutamol acts on beta-receptors of the bronchial airways of your lungs. These airways constrict during an asthma attack. When you have an attack taking this blue inhaler should provide immediate relief of your symptoms by widening these airways. To answer one of your questions salbutamol is the generic name of the drug in the inhaler. Salamol is a trade name for an inhaler that contains salbutamol, so they are the same thing.
A brown inhaler will contain a steroid drug. This inhaler is known as a preventor. This is because when used daily you should notice an overall improvement in your asthma control over time. You will notice this because you will begin to need your blue reliever inhaler less often. It is important to remember that the brown inhaler will not provide immediate relief of an asthma attack, as steroids work at reducing inflammation over time.
Purple inhaler. Purple inhalers are combination inhalers. They contain a long-acting reliever and a steroid preventer.
The long acting reliever acts on the same receptors that salbutamol acts on, but they bind for much longer. This means that symptom relief will last longer than with a standard blue inhaler. This is useful for patients who have noticed worsening asthma symptoms, especially throughout the night or during exercise. Its effects last for about 12 hours whereas salbutamol lasts for 4-6 hours. It is important to remember however that this long-acting inhaler does not provide adequate immediate relief, and you should use your blue inhaler if you feel breathless.
The steroid in the purple inhaler will work in the same way as the one in the brown inhaler, providing relief over time through reduction of airway inflammation.
The reason you have been given the purple inhaler is to provide you with the long-acting reliever which you doctor thinks you need and your steroid preventer in the same inhaler. It saves you having to take two seperate inhalers.
Metered Dose Inhalers
An inhaler is a device used to deliver drugs to the body via the lungs for the treatment or prevention of diseases of the airways such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cystic fibrosis. However, because the lungs have a good blood supply inhalers can also be used to get other drugs into the body via the lungs such as treatments for influenza or, more recently, insulin for patients with diabetes. However, most inhalers are used for breathing problems, and as such, the inhaled route is of limited value to patients that have problems swallowing their medicines, as most medicines are not available as inhalers.Using an inhaler to deliver a drug straight to the lungs where it is needed means it is likely to work quicker. Smaller doses are also needed rather than using tablets or injections, which reduces the risks of side effects.
Pharmaceutical Inhalers
Advantages
- Quick absorption into the blood stream
- Less medicine for similar therapeutic result
Projection
- 50% of medication through inhalers
Problem
- Less than 20% of inhaled dosage reaches the lower respiratory system
Inhaler therapy for asthma can be slightly confusing. It is important that you understand what your different inhalers contain, how they work and when to use them.
A blue inhaler contains a short-acting reliever of symptoms (most commonly salbutamol). Salbutamol acts on beta-receptors of the bronchial airways of your lungs. These airways constrict during an asthma attack. When you have an attack taking this blue inhaler should provide immediate relief of your symptoms by widening these airways. To answer one of your questions salbutamol is the generic name of the drug in the inhaler. Salamol is a trade name for an inhaler that contains salbutamol, so they are the same thing.
A brown inhaler will contain a steroid drug. This inhaler is known as a preventor. This is because when used daily you should notice an overall improvement in your asthma control over time. You will notice this because you will begin to need your blue reliever inhaler less often. It is important to remember that the brown inhaler will not provide immediate relief of an asthma attack, as steroids work at reducing inflammation over time.
Purple inhaler. Purple inhalers are combination inhalers. They contain a long-acting reliever and a steroid preventer.
The long acting reliever acts on the same receptors that salbutamol acts on, but they bind for much longer. This means that symptom relief will last longer than with a standard blue inhaler. This is useful for patients who have noticed worsening asthma symptoms, especially throughout the night or during exercise. Its effects last for about 12 hours whereas salbutamol lasts for 4-6 hours. It is important to remember however that this long-acting inhaler does not provide adequate immediate relief, and you should use your blue inhaler if you feel breathless.
The steroid in the purple inhaler will work in the same way as the one in the brown inhaler, providing relief over time through reduction of airway inflammation.
The reason you have been given the purple inhaler is to provide you with the long-acting reliever which you doctor thinks you need and your steroid preventer in the same inhaler. It saves you having to take two seperate inhalers.
Metered Dose Inhalers
- Pressurized system
- Contains liquefied gas (propellant)Propellant suspends drug substance
- Provides energy
- Surfactant ‐ stabilize suspension formulation
- Co‐solvents ‐ formulation aid
- Dispense micrograms to milligrams API per actuation •Small precise volume delivered (25 ‐ 100 mL)