Inhaler types
What is the difference between preventer and reliever inhalers?
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A reliever inhaler is one which makes your breathing better for a short period of time and has little long term effect. They are often blue in colour. The common ones are Ventolin (salbutamol), Bricanyl (terbutaline), Maxair (pirbuterol), Pro-air (procaterol) and Berotec (Fenoterol). Oxis or Foradil (Eformoterol) and Serevent (Salmeterol) are also relievers but last longer. These are usually green. If you take any of these, make your peak flow measurements before you take your inhaler.
A preventer inhaler has no immediate effect and needs to be taken regularly whether you are feeling good or bad. The most effective are inhaled steroids and include Becotide, Beclovent, Becloforte or Qvar(Beclomethasone), Pulmicort (Budesonide), Flixotide or Flovent (Fluticasone), Asmanex (mometasone), Azmacort (triamcinalone) and Bronalide (flunisolide). Intal (sodium cromoglycate) and Tilade (nedocromil) are other non-steroid preventers.
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