Inhalers

image.pngThere are three different types of inhalers

  • Short acting
  • Anti inflammatory
  • Long acting

There are many combinations of these.

Short acting medications (Relievers)

Examples of these are Salbutamol, Ventolin, Salamol, Terbutaline and Bricanyl. They are:

  • Usually blue in colour
  • Work quickly (within 5 minutes)
  • Last 4 to 6 hours

Anti inflamatory medications

They are:
  • Work by relaxing muscles around the airways
  • Important to always carry this inhaler including the spacer if needed.
  • Usually brown or orange in colour
  • Contain a steroid that reduces swelling or inflammation in the airways
  • Start working best after 1 to 3 weeks and these must be taken regularly
  • Always wash your mouth out after taking this type of inhaler.

Long acting medications (Relievers)

Examples of these are Serevent, Oxis, Salmeterol, Formoterol and Oladaterol. They:

  • Take between 5 and 20 minutes to work
  • Are taken twice daily
  • Last for 12 hours 
  • Work by relaxing muscles around the airways.

Tiotropium, Spiriva, Braltus, Incruse Aclidinium, Umeclidinium. They are:

  • Usually ‘aqua’ green in colour  
  • Taken once daily 
  • Last 24 hours.

If you are taking long acting medication and an anti-inflammatory, you are usually prescribed a single combination inhaler such as Symbicort, Relvar, Fostair, Seretide and Duoresp. We also  now have Triple Therapy inhalers too, such as Trelegy or Trimbow.

Other medications

Oral Bronchodilators

Theophylline helps keep airways open and will be prescribed if you are still experiencing attacks of breathlessness despite taking maximum regular doses of reliever and steroid inhalers.

Antibiotics

Amoxicillin or Doxycycline. Usually given for chest infections.

Steroids

Used to reduce inflammation within the airways.

Carbocisteine/Mucodyne

Used to thin secretions in the chest making them easier to cough up.

Oxygen

  • Prescribed when the levels in the bloodstream are chronically low or reduce when mobilising
  • It is required to protect organs and tissues It is not a treatment for breathlessness.
  • Patient`s should usually be stabilised back on their usual inhalers
  •  For those with a nebuliser important to ensure yearly servicing of equipment
  •  Important to wash masks, and keep equipment clean. Avoid getting the tubing wet

Nebulisers/Compressors

  • Not to be used routinely
  • Effective during a severe exacerbation to avoid hospital admission
  • Acute Respiratory Team will provide during crisis if limited relief with inhaled therapy