Asthma is a disease of the lungs. Therefore, it only makes sense that the better a medicine gets into the lungs, the better it will work for asthma. There are two main ways to take medicines at home for asthma: by mouth (swallowing them) and by inhalation (breathing them).
Sometimes it is easier to take medicines by mouth than by inhalation. When a medicine is swallowed, the next step is that the medicine passes into the blood. The blood then takes medicine to the lungs where it can help treat asthma. But blood goes everywhere in a body, and may take the medicine to places that don’t need the medicine or places where the medicine can cause a side effect. It also takes extra time for the medicine to get into the blood and reach the lungs – so it takes a while to start working. Lastly, you have to start with a lot more medicine so that enough ends up in the lungs.
Taking a medicine by inhalation sometimes is a little harder to do than swallowing a medicine. But when a medicine is inhaled, it goes directly into the lungs. Most of the medicine stays in the lung where it starts working on the asthma very fast. Only a very small amount leaves the lungs, so the chance of a side effect is less. Compared to oral medicines, much less inhaled medicine is needed.
Both oral and inhaled medicines are used to treat asthma. But for many important asthma medicines, taking them by inhalation is better than taking them by mouth. Inhaled medicines usually work faster and better, less medicine is needed and the side effects are less. But for inhaled medicines to work well, they have to get into the lungs effectively. Many times, when it looks like an inhaled medicine is not working, this is only because it is not being taken the right way. It is important that you and your child know how to take inhaled medicines correctly.
Inhaled medications can be given using nebulizers or using inhalers. A nebulizer is an electronic machine that turns liquid medicine into a mist that can be easily inhaled. Some inhalers must be plugged into the wall for electricity, some also run on batteries or can be plugged into a car outlet.
Inhalers are small devices that release medicine in a spray form (MDI – metered dose inhaler) or powdered form (DPI – dry powder inhaler). In any young child (about 8 years and younger), and many older children a “spacer” device should be use along most MDI-type inhalers. A spacer is a device that makes it easier to use MDI-type inhalers so that young children and even infants can use inhalers effectively. Some common types of spacers are the Aerochamber®, InspirEase®, OptiChamber®, ACE®, E-Z Spacer®, Ellipse® and many more.
Some asthma medicines come in forms that can be given by both nebulizers and inhalers. Some come in forms that can only be given by inhalers. There are many different types of inhalers and nebulizers. Some general instructions are included here, but you should talk to your clinician to get exact instructions on how to take your medicines. No matter what type of devices your child is prescribed, make sure:
- You know how to use any device (nebulizer or inhaler) you are prescribed.
- Your child takes the medicine while your clinician is watching to make sure he/she is doing it correctly.
- To take the time to keep taking the medicine correctly at home, and try not to “take shortcuts” or get “sloppy” with technique.
- Use a “spacer” along with MDI-type inhalers
- To review how to take the medicines regularly at future office visits.
