:: Section 4
Advantages
DPIs are small and portable devices. It requires short preparation and administration time. Compared to the MDI, the DPI has the following advantages.
- Breath-actuation removes the need for hand-breathing coordination
- No inspiratory hold or head-tilt is needed
- No CFC propellants (environmentally friendly)
- No "cold, Freon effect" to cause bronchoconstriction or inhibit full inspiration
- Count of remaining drug doses is simple
Disadvantages
Meanwhile, the DPI also has some disadvantages.
- There is only a limited range of drugs available to date
- Patients are not as aware of the dose inhaled as with an MDI and may distrust delivery
- Moderate to high inspiratory flow rates are needed to enable successful powder dispersion
- Relatively high oropharyngeal impaction and deposition can occur, thus a high dose loss
- A device such as Rotahaler is single-dose and must be loaded before each use
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