What is a preventer inhaler?
Inhalers are devices that let you breathe in medicine. A preventer inhaler contains a low dose of steroid medicine. This prevents and reduces swelling and inflammation in your airways.
The steroids in your preventer inhaler are called corticosteroids. They are a copy of the steroids our bodies produce naturally.
Steroid inhalers are mainly used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
If you have COPD and asthma, or COPD with asthma-like symptoms, your GP or nurse may prescribe inhaled steroid medicine. This will usually be in a combination inhaler. Combination inhalers contain steroid medicine to treat the inflammation, and another medicine to open up your airways.
The information on this page is mainly relevant to people with asthma. Find out more about inhalers prescribed for COPD on our medications for COPD page.
Use your reliever inhaler if you have an asthma attack
When you get asthma symptoms, you need to use your reliever inhaler. Your reliever inhaler gives you asthma medicines quickly to treat asthma attacks.
Some people have an inhaler which has a reliever and preventer medicine in the same device. We have more information about Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART) and anti-inflammatory relievers (AIR).
If you do not know which inhaler is your reliever, ask your GP, nurse or pharmacist. You can also contact our Helpline.
Types of preventer inhaler
There are different types of preventer inhaler, which are used in slightly different ways:
Pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs)
Pressurised metered dose inhalers (MDIs) release a spray of medicine when you press the top of the canister. Always use a spacer with your metered dose inhaler. A spacer helps the medicine get into your lungs, and lowers your risk of side effects.
Breath actuated inhalers (BAIs)
Breath actuated inhalers (BAIs) release a spray of medicine when you breathe in through the mouthpiece. You do not need to use a spacer with a BAI.
Dry powder inhalers (DPIs)
Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) give the medicine in a dry powder when you breathe in through the mouthpiece. You do not need to use a spacer with a DPI.
Talk to your GP or nurse about finding an inhaler that’s easy for you to use.
MART and AIR inhalers
No one with asthma should be prescribed a reliever medicine on its own. You should also have an inhaler that contains preventer medicine.
Preventer and reliever medication can sometimes be in the same inhaler. We have more information about Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART) and anti-inflammatory relievers (AIR).
Why do I have to take my preventer inhaler every day?
Taking your preventer inhaler every day as prescribed is important to help you control your asthma better. This is because the steroid medicine in your preventer inhaler treats and prevents inflammation in your airways.
Your GP or nurse can write down in your asthma action plan how many puffs of your preventer you need to take every day.
If you take your preventer inhaler every day as prescribed, you should notice:
- you’re less sensitive to your asthma triggers
- you do not need to use your reliever inhaler as much or at all
- your asthma does not wake you up in the night
- you can exercise without getting asthma symptoms.
If you’re still getting asthma symptoms
If you’re using your preventer inhaler every day as prescribed and still getting asthma symptoms, speak to your GP or nurse. They can check your inhaler technique and prescribe other treatments if you need them.
Preventer inhaler checklist
- Get into a good routine. Take your preventer at the same time you do something else you have to do regularly, like before you brush your teeth.
- Ask your GP for a new prescription before your preventer inhaler runs out. You can arrange repeat prescriptions with your local pharmacy to make things easier.
- Take used inhalers back to the pharmacy. They can get rid of them in the most environmentally friendly way. Find out more about how inhalers affect the environment.
How do I know I’m using the right inhaler technique?
You can make sure you are using the right inhaler technique by:
- asking your GP, nurse or pharmacist to show you how to use your inhaler
- watching our quick and easy inhaler videos
- using a spacer – if you use a pressurised metered dose inhaler. This helps the medicine get to your airways and lowers your risk of side effects.
A good inhaler technique helps make sure the medicine gets into your airways where you need it.
Side effects of preventer inhalers
The risk of side effects from taking your preventer inhaler at a low dose is very small. Most people do not experience any side effects.
If you do not take your preventer inhaler as prescribed, you're more likely to get asthma symptoms or have an asthma attack.
Side effects of taking a steroid preventer inhaler can include:
- sore tongue
- sore throat
- hoarse voice
- a mouth infection called oral thrush.
You can reduce your risk of side effects by:
- making sure you use your inhaler correctly
- rinsing your mouth out with water after using your inhaler
- using a spacer if you have a pMDI.
If you are getting side effects from your inhaler, speak with your GP, nurse or pharmacist to see how you can prevent them. Some people find swapping to a different steroid inhaler helps.
Get support
Call our Helpline for support with your condition. Get advice on your medicines, symptoms or travelling with a lung condition, or just call us to say hello.