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

21 February 2021

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.