Advantages and disadvantages for inhalers

Device	Advantages	Disadvantages
Metered dose inhalers.	Portable and convenient. Non breath activated. More cost effective than dry powder inhaler. No preparation.	Patient co-ordination essential. High pharyngeal deposition. Difficult to determine remaining doses.
Breath actuated aerosol inhalers.	Portable. Convenient. No co-ordination or high flow rate required.	Limited range available.
Dry powder devices.	Portable and compact. Propellant not required. Patient co-ordination not required. No need for spacer. Most have dose counters.	Difficult to deliver in high doses? Flow dependent. Some require assembly. More expensive than metered dose inhaler. Cannot use with endotracheal or tracheostomy tube.

Note: the same drug or a combination of drugs can be given in a different type of inhaler e.g. Symbicort MDI and Symbicort Turbohaler.