Metered dose inhalers with valve holding chambers?

[Berticus]

I was prescribed a valve holding chamber (VHC) with my metered dose inhaler (MDI) when I was young. I forgot to ask my physician if it was still necessary (don't have his number at hand). I looked through the U.S. National Library of Medicine, and a couple of studies turned up, indicating it was just as effective as using a small volume nebulizer (SVN). However, all of these studies seem to only be applicable to children. So does anybody know if adults still benefit from VHCs?

 

[mkerr]

if you're talking about a spacer (in australia, so different terminology) versus a nebulizer, then there's no clinical difference.

what is in the MDI? salbutamol? or some other beta agonist? if you're only on a bronchodilator (salbutamol / other beta agonist etc), and have anything more than the mildest of asthma, latest guidlines indicate that inhaled steroids should also be used.

 

[Berticus]

albuterol. But I was wondering adults used them too, or if they're only for kids.

 

[Nouveau Pauvre]

I'm 19, and I was recently prescribed a spacer with my inhaler....

 

[mkerr]

basically, spacers increase the effectiveness of MDIs.
they increase the amount of the drug that makes it to the lung tissue. use them. we have a massive push for education of correct spacer / puffer usage in australia going on, especially in GP land.

berticus, albuterol is the same a salbutamol. how often are you using the puffer? ever get night symptoms? ever need if before / after sport? ever had spirometry tests done? do you have a PEFR?

latest guidelins recommend that patients with asthma more significant than extremely mild, require inhaled steroids. you should also have had spiro tests, have been given / prescribed a PEFR for at home testing, and should have a GP management plan.

NFI how the american kiddies manage their asthma patients though, however this is coming from international recommendations.

all the best.

 

[Berticus]

I only have exercise induced asthma. No night symptoms or anything like that. Only take it before doing something active. What would a spirometry test or PEFR do for me?

 

[whodini]

Originally Posted by Berticus

I only have exercise induced asthma. No night symptoms or anything like that. Only take it before doing something active. What would a spirometry test or PEFR do for me?
They would figure out your overall lung capacities and asthma severity which in turn would dictate the best course of management for your asthma. They are usually performed in conjunction with prescribing treatment but weren't probably because of the sporadic nature of your symptoms. Like mkerr said, your VHC increases the effectiveness of the drug. If you're getting 60% of the dosage without it instead of 90%+, I don't know why you wouldn't want to continue using the chamber.