Inhaler technique in asthma and COPD: challenges and unmet knowledge that can contribute to suboptimal use in real life

Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2021 May 13. doi: 10.1080/17512433.2021.1929922. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTIntroduction: Inhalers are the most commonly used devices for lung drug delivery in asthma and COPD. Inhaler use offers several advantages but requires the user's proper mastery. The issue of inhaler technique is very important as inhaler misuse remains common in real life regardless of the inhaler used and is associated with poor disease control.Areas covered: Across a PubMed® literature search and evaluation for English publications on inhaler use conducted up to January 2021, this narrative review analyses the key-steps of inhaler mastery and the significance of the errors of use for the main devices. There are uncertainties on many tasks of inhaler use and on those variations from recommended steps that are considered as critical errors.Expert opinion: Despite technological advancements, an easy-to-use device is not yet available. Whatever the chosen inhaler, health care givers' proper practical education with the opportunity of feedback learning has a key-role for improving inhaler technique,, but is time-consuming, and remains limited to few successful experiences. Newer digital technologies will be applied to the field of inhaler education, but the lack of knowledge on many practical aspects of inhaler technique might be a limit for its extensive implementation. Possibly digital innovation might substantially contribute to reduce inhaler misuse only if clinicians,...
Source: Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Source Type: research