Types of Dry Powder Inhalers

Asthma sufferers require inhaled medication for opening airway passages. The bronchi tubes, within the lungs, fill with mucus during an asthma attack. The mucus blocks air from moving through the lungs, causing shortness of breath. Dry powder inhalers help control and relieve this chronic inflammatory disease by opening the blocked airways and reducing inflammation within the lungs. However, dry powder inhalers are available in three different types.

Tube Inhaler

• A dry powder tube inhaler consists of a powder-filled tube pressed into a L-shaped plastic applicator. A patient places the applicator in his mouth. The patient presses the tube's exposed tip portion, extending above the applicator's top, for delivering the dry powder medicine into the lungs. The patient must breathe in at the same time the tube presses downward for proper medicine application and relief. The tube carries multiple medicine doses within its length.

Powder Disk Inhaler

• The powder disk inhaler is a plastic disk enclosing the dry powder supply. A patient must keep the disk in a horizontal position, like holding a full dinner plate. The patient opens the disk's side portion, revealing an application hole. The patient places his mouth on the hole and breathes in. The disk allows a measured dose out of the hole. The patient must hold his breath for 10 seconds, allowing the medicine to infiltrate the lungs' interior. The patient closes the disk's side portion, protecting the application hole. The disk also has multiple doses within its assembly.

Single Dose Disk Inhaler

• The single dose disk inhaler uses a capsule filled with dry powder medication. The patient places a capsule within the disk inhaler. The inhaler has internal spikes that puncture the capsule once the patient closes the inhaler's application storage area. The puncture holes allow inhalation of the powder. The patient uses the disk inhaler in the same fashion as the multiple dose type. However, a capsule must be placed within the inhaler each time it is used because each capsule contains a single dose.

Inhaler Considerations

• All dry powder inhalers require a fast and deep breath, as opposed to aerosol powered asthma inhalers. A shallow, or weak, breath can result in medication covering the mouth and tongue, instead of reaching the lungs. Patients must use caution when operating a dry powder inhaler, ensuring that they breathe in and not out. Breathing out across the powder medication can blow the dose away, wasting valuable medicine. Keep all dry powder inhalers away from areas with high humidity. The powder is susceptible to clumping from excess moisture.