Inhalers

Question 1

What are the different type of inhalers?

Answer 1

pMDI (metered dose inhalers) the normal boot shaped ones
you can have breath-actuated ones as well

Dry powder inhalers (DPI)

• turbo
• diskhaler
• accuhaler

Question 2

What does breath-actuated mean?

Answer 2

This is when the drug is sucked out of the device and in to the lungs by the force of the breath.

Question 3

What types of drugs are used as relievers?

Answer 3

Short acting B2 agonists (these bind with receptors and cause a signal to be sent)

Question 4

Give 2 examples of drugs used as relievers.

Answer 4

Salbutamol and terbutaline

Question 5

Give 3 examples of oral treatments

Answer 5

Leukotriene receptor antagonist
Theophylline
Prednisolone (a corticosteroid)

Question 6

What are some of the specialist treatment options for asthma?

Answer 6

Omalizumab (Anti-IgE)
Mepolizumab (Anti-Interleukin-5)
Bronchial thermoplasty

Question 7

What are the benefits of breath actuated inhalers?

Answer 7

They don’t require coordination of the inhalation and pressing of the button
They can be easier to use

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of a breath actuated device?

Answer 8

They require the patient to have enough inspiratory for

Question 9

What type of drug is Salbutamol?

Answer 9

A beta 2 agonist

Question 10

How do Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA’s) work?

Answer 10

They reduce inflammation, they can prevent allergic reactions as leukotrienes are released in an allergic reaction and bind to receptors which cause inflammation. If LTRA’s are bound to those receptors the inflammation won’t occur.
LTRA’s can also desensitise you mouth and airways to cold air, so prevent exacerbation by cold air.