Question: What is an MDI, Or Metered Dose Inhaler?
Answer:
A patient occasionally asks me "what is an MDI?" when I am in a rush and I slip into doctor shorthand. The answer is that your MDI, or metered dose inhaler, is your inhaler or puffer. Your MDI delivers medication to your lungs to improve your asthma symptoms.
What Is MDI - Parts Of An Inhaler
An MDI is a simple device that contains 2 parts:
- A plastic cover with an attached mouthpiece
- A pressurized canister that holds the actual medication that will be dispensed into your lungs
What Is an MDI - How An Inhaler Works
When you activate the MDI by pressing down on the canister, a mist of medicine is released for you to inhale directly or through a spacer. MDIs are used as both a quick relief or rescue medication and a controller medication.
Learn More
- What You Need to Know About MDIs
- Answers to Your Questions About MDIs
- Step-by-step Guide to Using an MDI
