Breathing problems: Using a metered-dose inhaler
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Breathing problems: Using a metered-dose inhaler
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Introduction
Diseases affecting the lungs—such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—share many of the same medicines. These medicines are often delivered through a metered-dose inhaler (MDI).
Key points
Using an MDI:
- Delivers most of a measured dose of medicine directly to your lungs.
- Can help keep your symptoms under control and may help prevent long-term damage to your lungs.
- May prevent or decrease side effects of the medicine.
- May let you use less medicine than is found in a pill but get the same effect.
- May result in the medicine working faster than a pill form.
What is a metered-dose inhaler?
Why should I use a metered-dose inhaler?
How to use a metered-dose inhaler
Where to go from here
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Last Updated:
May 8, 2008- Author:
- Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Cynthia Tank - Medical Review:
- Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Ken Y. Yoneda, MD - Pulmonology
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