What is the difference between DDPI (a dosed dry powder inhaler) and a nebulizer?

The dosed dry powder inhaler is designed for treatment of lower respiratory airway illnesses. The apparatus produces dry powder form of a medicinal product that reaches lungs following a deep breath in.

However:

• A correct breath in with the DDPI can be done only by 46% of adults;
• More than 70% of aerosol produced by DDPI precipitates in mouth and throat, and only less than 30% reach lungs;
• To deliver a medicine to lungs, rather high volume velocity is necessary while breathing in.

Administration of the nebulizer has, in turn, the following advantages:

• Higher concentration of a medicinal product is produced within respiratory airways.
• There is no need to coordinate breath in and intake of aerosol microparticles.
• It may be used in severe conditions (an asthmatic exacerbation), elderly, infants, and confused patients.
• Product fraction precipitating in oropharyngeal cavity is minor: over 70% of aerosol reach lungs.
• Reduction in total dose of a product.
• Aerosol cloud does not contain any propellants.
• It is quite easy to use the nebulizer.
• A medicinal product is being transferred directly to respiratory system (the organ that requires treatment).
• Aerosol form of a medicine is more effective.
• Various medicinal powders, suspensions, solutions and combined agents may be used for the inhalation.
• The onset of effect for a medicine, which was taken via inhaler, is expected within 5-10 min.
• A lower dose of a medicine is required to obtain therapeutic effect compared to other methods of treatment.
• There are practically no systemic adverse effects.

Unlike DDPI, theat-home inhalator is effective not only for bronchial asthma, bronchitis, but also for laryngotracheitis, cold, FLU, ARVI, and may be used for ARVI prevention. The application range of the Ulaizer™ is much wider than that of a dosed inhaler.