Dry powder inhaler?

http://www.myproair.com/

Did you know there is a new dry powder rescue inhaler that is soon to hit stores? (If it hasn't already.....)

The new inhaler is made by TEVA pharmaceuticals. In the press release, it says that the inhaler is "the first and only breathe-actuated dry powder rescue inhaler". I had to read that twice......but it looks like instead of being like a regular inhaler (that comes out in a spray) this is a dry powder.

It sounds like other asthma medications that are dry powder - but they are usually daily, controller (or maintenance) medications. This is a rescue inhaler.

There's also a quote from Dr. David I. Bernstein of the University of Cincinnati. He says, "The approval of ProAir RespiClick is significant as it eliminates the need for hand-breathe coordination during inhalation." 

In simple terms, it's made for those of us who have no coordination and can't chew gum and walk at the same time. With this inhaler, you wouldn't have to time it just right to get the medicine into your lungs.

With regular rescue inhalers, you have to time it just right - or you might breathe in too soon or too late, and not be able to get all of the puff from your inhaler into your lungs. If you aren't careful, it will just end up at the back of the throat. I use a spacer to help me get it just right. 

 
When I use my inhaler, the puff goes right into spacer (the tube), then I just breath in slowly and all of the medicine will go down into my lungs.

This dry powder inhaler looks like another option.
 
As with any new medicine, your doctor will know what's best for you. And some insurances may not cover it. I know that my insurance company is a little picky about what it will cover.
 
But, I like to at least know what my options are!


Comments

  1. I heard they have ventolin diskus is Europe. It seems this would be less useful in a severe asthma attack where you can't breathe in deeply.

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    Replies
    1. I'm wondering how it would work too. I usually use my rescue inhaler, but if I'm really bad and feel like I can't breathe in deeply, I use my nebulizer instead.

      I wonder if it will help all of the people who don't use their inhaler correctly. Maybe the dry powder inhaler will help them get more medicine down into their lungs?

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  2. In the UK, we have other breath-actuated relievers such as the Salamol Easi-Breathe but I don't think they are dry-powder. We have Ventolin Diskus, too - I have a friend with that - and also a reliever called Bricanyl which comes in a Turbuhaler form (like Symbicort). I couldn't use any of these in an attack, because I just don't have that kind of inspiratory force but I know some people prefer them...

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