Turbohaler

A doctor where I work suggested I ask for turbohaler as it is easier to use and takes the drug to the right place and I think spreads it more evenly, anyone else use them can tell me how well they work or how easy to get them prescribed?

[Lil_tinx66]

hi there

i use a turbohaler nowdays, i was first prescribed a turbohaler , years ago when as a young teen i had problems in using my sabutamol inhaler as i couldnt press it down and breathe it in enough which ment i wasnt getting the right amount of medicine and it didnt go direct to my lungs.

i dont think there is much else i can tell you , im sure someone else will pop along with some better advice/answer soon

if this is the case an you want to switch to a turbohaler talk to your gp about it an tell then a dr where you work recommended it as well .

[Hidden]

Hi, your post has had me pondering. I use a turbohaler but apart from finding it easy to use, compared to the pump and spray ones, I've never really thought about how the inhaler would effect drug delivery etc. So I have done a bit of looking on the web and found this summary, which I though was helpful:

lpc-online.org.uk/bkpage/fi....

Metered dose inhalers (MDI)

* Cheap, Quick & convenient to use

* Poor inhaler technique is common

* When used correctly only 10%-20% of the drug reaches the lungs

* may continue to deliver propellant after active drug gone if not shaken correctly

* important to wait 30-60 secs between doses due to 2nd actuation being of poorer quality

Breathe actuated inhalers

* Spring mechanism is triggered by inspiratory flow rate of 22-36 l/m

* drug delivery less dependent on technique

* When cap is removed the inhaler is primed and ready to fire

* Ref: AJ Corlett 1996 Caring for Older People: Aids to compliance with medication BMJ 1996;313:926-929 12 October

Spacer devices

* Removes the need for co-ordination of breathing and actuation

* Pharyngeal deposition is greatly reduced

* smaller particles penetrate further into lungs depositing a greater proportion of drug

* Available with mask

* Electrostatic charge reduces delivery

Dry Powder inhalers (DPI)

* Inspiratory airflow releases the fine powder - therefore no co-ordination needed

* dose counters helps patients to know when empty (between 60-200 doses)

* DPI can make some patients cough

* Inspiratory flow rate needed may be a problem with some devices

Dry Powder inhalers (DPI) continued

* More expensive than MDI’s

* DPI’s such as turbohalers have no taste, hence there could be uncertainty it has been taken by the patient

* Turbohalers delivers 20%-30% of drug

* Diskhaler delivers 11%-15% of drug

* Ref:Optimizing deposition of aerosolizesd drug in the lung

Important points

* Patient needs to be in a good upright position to use inhaler

* Important to check inhaler technique regularly

* Bad habits form quickly

* If a patient is requiring repeat prescriptions – alarm bells should be ringing

Hope you can find an inhaler that suits you,

Take care!

Lee

[Hidden]

Thanks for your info, I'll look into it further. I do use a spacer so I should be not too bad. I do think just the inhaler is not as good, there is often that tell tale 'puff' and I feel half of it gets stick in my mouth.