What is an inhaler? An inhaler is a small, handheld device that delivers medication directly to your lungs. Inhalers can be dry powder, metered-dose or soft mist. The most common types use medicine that helps open your airways or reduce inflammation in your lungs.
Learn when it’s the right time to use an inhaler for your asthma and how to properly administer a dose at WebMD.
If you have asthma, you probably use an inhaler — and you may need more than one. Learn the different types of asthma inhalers and which one you need.
Types of Asthma Inhalers and How to Choose the Best One for You
Inhalers are designed to deliver medication directly to the lungs through a person's own breathing. This may benefit a patient by providing medicines directly to areas of disease, allowing medication to take a greater effect on its intended target, and limit side effects of medications when administered locally. [1] .
Inhalers deliver medication directly to the lungs. These medications typically work to either reduce inflammation in the airways or to dilate the airways. Medications that dilate the airways are meant to enlarge their diameter to increase oxygen flow. These are called bronchodilators.
Watch the American Lung Association video to learn the correct way to use your Metered-Dose Inhaler (MDI).
There are many different types of inhaler. This leaflet gives information on the medicines inside inhalers, the types of inhaler device and some general information about inhalers. This leaflet is only about inhalers for asthma.