Diskus and Ellipta both require the patient to slide part of the device to prepare the drug dose to be ready for inhalation. Turbuhaler requires twisting of the inhaler base to do this (as does Respimat).
Respimat, and Genuair devices work by pressing down a canister (for metered dose inhalers (MDI) or large button (Respimat) to deliver a drug or prepare the drug dose to be ready for inhalation (Genuair).
Breezhaler and Handihaler require the patient to insert capsules into the device which are then pierced by pressing buttons on the side of the device, to prepare the drug dose for inhalation.
Most of the inhaler devices in Canada are not available on the Provincial Hospital Formulary but it is important to confirm that a patient’s technique is correct with their own inhaler while in hospital. Doing so can help prevent risk of COPD flare-up and should help the patient show improvement of COPD symptoms over the longer term (for long-acting agents). This module will cover all 8 kinds of devices available.