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What's the difference between a metered-dose inhaler and a dry powder-dose?

If you suffer from asthma you probably have many questions about treatment and inhalers. Many people want to know what the difference is between a metered-dose inhaler and a dry powder-dose inhaler. The main difference is how the medicine is dispensed to the user. A metered-dose inhaler uses gases to propel the medicine, while a dry powder-dose inhaler relies on the patient to inhale the medicine using the lungs.

Many of the metered-dose inhalers previously on the market contained chlorofluocarbons, otherwise known as CFCs, which are harmful to the ozone layer. As part of a worldwide effort to reduce the release of these gases, inhalers using CFCs began being phased out at the end of December 2008. Alternatively, dry powder-dose inhalers do not contain any gases.

If you use a metered-dose inhaler, don’t be worried about having to change methods with a different inhaler. The FDA has approved inhalers that deliver metered-dose treatments without containing CFCs. These inhalers dispense medicine like Albuterol and corticosteroids in the same way, just without the harmful gases. So you can continue with your metered-dose inhaler with little or no change, if it’s what works best for you.

If you have any questions, talk to your Pharmacist. We’re here to help.