Definition: Inhaler

Inhaler

An inhaler is a device that gets medicine directly into a person's lungs. The medicine is a mist or spray that the person breathes in. Unlike a pill or liquid that is swallowed, an inhaler gets medicine right to the lungs. This helps people with asthma because the medicine works quickly to open up narrowed airways. There are two kinds of inhalers: metered dose inhalers, also known as puffers, and dry powder inhalers.