METERED DOSE INHALERS

ERRORS IN THE USE IN ASTHMA AND COPD

Abstract

Metered dose inhalers are the most effective, cheaper and safer
method of delivering drug to the patients with asthma and COPD. Errors in inhalatioinal technique compromise
their use and efficacy. In the study 400 consecutive patients coming to outdoor of Allied Hospital Faisalabad,
who ever had used MDIs were asked to perform inhalational technique and most common errors were
observed. They were followed up for 8 weeks and those who remain untrained after 8 visits were declared non
trainable and accessory devices (spacer device) were added to MDIs. Errors were observed in every age group
but generally speaking, percentage of error was more in old people and more in females. It was observed that
it is difficult to train old patients and females. Moreover it was observed that patient education and
demonstration of inhalational technique is corner stone in proper use of MDIs.