Note when using bronchial asthma inhalers

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is expertly consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Le Duc Hoang - Emergency Medicine Doctor - Emergency Department - Vinmec Danang International Hospital.

Asthma inhalers are an important component in the treatment of this pathology. However, the drug has many different forms, is used in different ways, with different purposes of use, and the dosage should be according to the doctor's prescription. Accordingly, patients need to understand the notes when using asthma inhalers so that they can control the disease well and effectively deal with the attack.

1. Overview of Asthma Treatment

There are many different types of asthma medications. However, the treatment of asthma is generally based on two important goals:
Specific regimen to treat acute asthma attacks by bronchodilating and anti-inflammatory, avoiding complications leading to respiratory failure acute absorption. Precautionary measures to avoid the frequency of acute attacks and to minimize their severity. To achieve these goals, asthma treatment requires a combination of reliever, prophylactic and lifestyle advice, and identification and prevention of asthma triggers. potential asthma. Current asthma medications include beta2 agonists, muscarinics antagonists, corticosteroids, leukotriene inhibitors, and xanthines. They are available as inhalers, sprays, aerosols or tablets, capsules and injections; used depending on the medical condition of each patient.
Therefore, medicines for asthma are only prescription drugs and must be used strictly according to the dosage instructions of the doctor. However, some inhaled or inhaled reliever medications such as beta2 agonists and corticosteroids can be purchased from pharmacies depending on the frequency of attacks.

2. Differentiate between reliever and preventive medicine

Commonly used asthma relievers are beta2 agonists, which have a rapid onset, providing rapid relief of symptoms of an asthma attack. All people with asthma should be encouraged to carry their asthma relievers with them at all times.
However, asthma relievers should be used only when needed to relieve symptoms and at the lowest dose with the required frequency. The short-acting beta2-agonists used as asthma relievers are salbutamol and terbutaline. In addition, long-acting but rapid-onset beta2-agonists are also used for relief, such as eformoterol, which can be combined with budesonide.
Asthma prophylactics are medicines used to control asthma, reduce the risk of an acute attack, and take it on a daily basis even when there are no symptoms at all.
This is usually an inhaled corticosteroid and can be combined with long-acting beta-agonists. The dosage that will be calculated in the preventive medicine will depend on the ability to control the acute asthma, through the frequency of attacks, the severity of the attacks and the ability to relieve them.
Inhaled corticosteroids used as asthma prophylaxis are beclomethasone, budesonide, ciclesonide, fluticasone. In addition, inhaled corticosteroids in combination with long-acting beta-agonists such as budesonide/eformoterol, fluticasone/vilanterol, fluticasone/eformoterol, flucticasone/salmeterol are also available.

3. Instructions for using asthma inhalers

Topical drugs can be asthma inhalers or asthma inhalers are very diverse and abundant with the goal of relieving and preventing attacks as above. Each type has an inhaler corresponding to the dosage form. In principle, if you know how to use it and perform it under ideal conditions, all drugs give maximum effect. However, in reality this is not possible. Therefore, patients need to know the instructions for using asthma inhalers to achieve the most effective treatment.

3.1 metered dose inhaler

This is an inhaler that delivers a set amount of inhaled medication for each dose. Before using the metered dose inhaler for the first time it is necessary to prepare the inhaler by inserting the vial into the tube, shaking and pressing it three times. After that, all uses are the same and no preparation is required. The patient shakes the vial vigorously, closes it tightly and requires consistent coordination between the hand pressing and the mouth to inhale. Finally, hold your breath to hold the medicine in your lungs for about 5 to 10 seconds before exhaling completely. The advantage of metered-dose inhalers over other asthma inhalers or asthma inhalers is that they can be administered to children via a spacer and can be combined with a mask.

3.2 Dry powder inhaler

This device also inhales the drug in powder form and is also pre-metered in the same way as metered-dose inhalers. However, the patient must create suction to help push the medicine into the respiratory tract instead of pressing the vial like with metered dose inhalers.
Before using a new dry powder inhaler for the first time, it is also necessary to prepare a refill. Subsequent uses just need to rotate the dosing pin and inhale as deeply, as hard as possible through the mouth. Therefore, the dry powder inhaler will not be suitable for use by the elderly, children under 8 years of age or in an acute asthma attack.

3.3 Fine particle inhaler

This is a liquid inhaler and is also pre-dose similar to metered-dose inhalers or dry powder inhalers. However, the difference is that a certain amount of the drug according to the dose is released from the liquid form to the outside as a mist.
Accordingly, the patient has a prolonged inhalation time, creating conditions for the drug to go deep into the airways. Before first use, it is necessary to prepare the inhaler by inserting the vial into the bottle, turning the latch and testing. Subsequent inhalations simply rotate the bottle, take a slow, deep breath and press the dose release button to continue slowly inhaling the medication.
If using the above bronchial asthma inhaler with steroid-containing drugs, it is necessary to rinse the mouth with clean water after spraying to remove excess medication deposited in the mouth and throat to avoid local side effects. . After that, the water must be spit out, not swallowed.

4. Choosing the right asthma inhaler to use

Choosing the right asthma inhaler to use depends on the doctor's prescription based on the patient's background, asthma characteristics and ability to control asthma. Accordingly, this will depend on various factors such as:
Convenience: Some asthma inhalers have small inhalers that can be easily put in a pocket and used as quickly as a metered dose inhaler or a bottle. Inhale dry powder. Age: Infants and young children often cannot use metered-dose inhalers or dry powder inhalers. Older children can start using metered-dose inhalers, but need additional spacers and masks. Elderly people often find it difficult to use metered-dose inhalers due to difficulty in coordination. Coordination: Metered-dose inhalers often require better coordination than dry powder or fine particle inhalers. However, these devices should always be able to follow the procedure for opening the cap, turning the bottle or dosing, and inhaling and holding the breath; especially in the preparation of the drug when taking it for the first time. Side effects: Some steroid inhalers can cause problems such as thrush, thrush in the mouth and throat. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to rinsing the mouth after using the drug. Habit: The choice of asthma inhaler and how to use it is also a habit and personal preference. Therefore, doctors also need to note this feature in prescribing drugs in accordance with the patient's ability. In summary, the use of asthma inhalers is the result of a close and harmonious coordination between the doctor's indications and the patient's characteristics. In particular, the correct use of asthma inhalers is very important in ensuring that patients get the correct dose to control the disease and prevent attacks, helping them maintain a good quality of life. best. Asthma patients need to see a respiratory specialist for timely examination and treatment.

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Articles refer to sources: verywellhealth.com, nhs.uk, mayoclinic.org, patient.info