What is a "dry powder inhaler"?

What is a "dry powder inhaler"?

William Berger (Allergist and Immunologist) gives expert video advice on: How is asthma treated?; How important is it to identify my asthma triggers?; What side effects should I expect from my asthma medication? and more...

Dry powder inhalers are a new delivery system that has been used in the last ten to fifteen years here in the United States that allows patients to breathe in the medication without a freon propellant. Dry powder inhaler is an alternative form of inhaling medication. It comes usually in little packets or in multi-dose reservoir systems. And it requires that the patient put it in their mouth but the thing that they have to remember is they have to breathe it in very fast. There has to be a fast inspiration, because the dry powder has to get all the way into the periphery of the lungs. Dry powders are very effective if they're used properly and not only are controller medications administered this way, but there are some rescue medications. But the majority of these dry powder inhalers are mainly to administer inhaled corticosteroids.