DIfference between puffers

[debsta13]

Hi there,

I am just curious what the difference and benefits of different types of inhalers. eg.

1. dry powder
2. Aerosol
3. Nebuliser

Or is it merely to do with the type of medication?

Thanks

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[Fiona Schreuder]

In my understanding most types of medications should be able to be delivered in a number of formats. A dry powder inhaler does what it says- delivers the drug in a dry powder format that is inhaled. An aerosol inhaler uses aerosol to propel the drug as it is inhaled. A nebuliser is a liquid form of the drug that becomes a mist (ie small enough particle size for inhalation) when hit at high pressure by a driving gas ie air or oxygen. Regarding efficiency of delivery of each of these types of devices you will have to do a literature search yourself to find that out.
The method of delivery chosen for each patient usually depends on the patient's needs. Dry powder inhalers often require less co-ordination than aerosol inhalers. Although delivery of aerosolised medication can be improved with the use of a spacer device. Ususally patients who require medication in a nebulised form are either chronically too breathless to manage with a dry powder or aerosol device, or are acutely breathless.
There is plenty of information availiable in the literature regarding these devices.

[debsta13]

Thanks Fiona,

I do plan on doing some research into the topic, but I figured I would throw it up on the website as no one appears to have posted a new cardio-resp question for some time!

Thanks again for your reply.

[itsviral]

hi, i have done a dissertation on the same subject. n i found nebulisers to be the most effective amongst the other two delivery systems.

[itsviral]

www.rcjournal.com/content...0.0769.asp
www.rcjournal.com/content...0.0589.asp

[Fiona Schreuder]

When you say most effective, what outcome measures were you using? What was your patient population and what drug were you nebulising? What other delivery devices were you comparing nebulisers with?
Fiona