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List of Asthma Inhalers

list of asthma inhalers

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An asthma sufferer will nearly always be keeping their asthma inhalers close by. That shouldn’t be a surprise, as these devices mean the difference between being able to breathe normally and struggling to draw every breath through a narrowed airway. The array of different asthma inhaler names can be daunting, especially for someone who’s new to the condition and is wondering which one will be best for them. We’ll list asthma inhalers here, and discuss each one briefly to hopefully help you come to understand which one is best for you.

We’ll also share some information about how it’s best to order asthma inhalers online from Canada in order to get the best prices. Asthma is a maintenance condition, meaning you have to be proactive in doing what it takes to minimize the likelihood of asthma attacks and then be prepared with the right medication when an attack does come on.

How Asthma Inhalers Work

There are two primary types of asthma inhalers:

1. Aerosol Inhalers / Metered Dose Inhalers

These types of asthma inhalers are called ‘puffers’ and they are canisters filled with asthma medication that is suspended in a propellant. When the canister is pressed down then a measured dose of the medication is pushed out from the tip and the person breathes it in.

These asthma inhalers are best used with a spacer, to allow for increased delivery of the medication to the airways. Without one much of the medication may end up in the mouth, throat, and stomach. The spacer ensures more of it is delivered to the lungs. Once it’s there it relaxes the constricted muscles around the airway within minutes. Some metered dose asthma inhalers come with a spacer already included as part of the inhaler unit.

Soft mist inhalers are also part of this type, and they provide a measured dose of medications that’s suspended in a water-based mist instead of a propellant.

Common metered-dose inhalers include Ventolin, Flovent, Advair, Airomir, Qvar, and Alvesco, and these ones are the ones most people will identify as being ‘rescue inhalers’

2. Dry-Powder Inhalers

These asthma inhalers contain a dry powder medication that the persons draws directly into their lungs as they breathe in. The medications will contain albuterol, which binds to beta-adrenergic receptors on the surface of smooth muscle cells lining the small airways in the lungs. As this binding process occurs the muscles relax and the airways become less constricted, meaning fewer asthma attack symptoms

There are two types of dry-powder inhalers:

  • Turbuhalers – very user-friendly devices for asthmatics. Turn the dial on the bottom of the unit until it ‘clicks’, which indicates a dose has been loaded into the inhaler. The user then presses the button to release it and inhales the dose for relief from asthma symptoms

Common turbuhalers include Symbicort, Bricanyl, Pulmicort, and Oxeze.

  • Diskus Inhalers – these disc-shaped inhalers contain powdered medication and doses are taken by opening the device, sliding the loading lever, and then inhaling the dose through the mouthpiece.

Common diskus inhalers are Advair, Ventolin, Flovent, and Serevent.

Some people prefer dry-powder inhalers over pressurized inhalers because they find it easer to breathe in the medication exactly as it’s released. Keep in mind that with a dry-powder inhaler you often have to inhale more quickly to get the full dose needed, while with a pressurized inhaler you’re free to inhale more naturally. Note as well that spacers cannot be used for dry-powder asthma inhalers.

Which One’s Best for You?

Both metered dose asthma inhalers and dry powder inhalers are small and convenient to carry. Metered dose inhalers will be better for anyone who has COPD or any other type of breathing-related disorder that inhibits their ability to breath deeply, as these inhalers don’t require a deep, fast, inhaled breath like a dry powder inhaler does. Similarly, if you’re prone to breathing out a little while attempting to inhale deeply then metered dose inhalers will be better. With dry-powder asthma inhalers if you breathe out unintentionally then you may waste some of the dosage by blowing it away.

However, dry-powder inhalers don’t require you to co-ordinate your breathing to be in sync with the release of the medication, and that’s something that many people struggle with when using metered-dose inhalers. Dry-powder inhalers aren’t the best choice for people living in more humid climates as high humidity levels can cause the powder to clump in the unit, while metered-dose inhalers aren’t ideal for anyone who’s a little absent minded – dry-powdered inhalers will display how many doses are remaining

Getting Best Prices on Asthma Inhalers

Any list of asthma inhalers should include information about where asthma sufferers can get these products at the best prices. That of course is important because asthma is a life-long maintenance condition for people and they’ll need to be purchasing these products on an ongoing basis. Whether metered-dose or dry-powder inhalers are preferable for you, you’ll always have the best prices when ordering asthma inhalers online from Canada from Canada Pharmacy.

Prices here on these products are as low as you’ll find anywhere and with select membership options you can receive free to-door shipping on all purchases made throughout a calendar year. The best prices are right here for the Symbicort inhaler, Ventolin inhaler, Pulmicort flexhaler (budesonide), Flovent Diskus, and the Advair Diskus, among other popular asthma inhalers.


IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for your pet. See your veterinarian for medical advice and treatment for your pet if you have any concerns.


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