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 Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) hold medicine in powder form, usually inside capsules or built‑in containers. Unlike metered dose inhalers, they don’t use a propellant. Instead, you breathe in quickly and deeply through the mouthpiece to pull the powder into your lungs. DPIs often come in tube or disk shapes, and some require loading the medicine before use. 

 Metered dose inhalers (MDIs) are handheld devices that deliver asthma or lung medication. They contain a pressurized canister with medicine and a propellant. When pressed, the inhaler releases a measured puff of medicine through the mouthpiece. Breathing in slowly pulls the medicine into the lungs. Each inhaler holds multiple doses, but only one is released at a time. 

A nebulizer, or “breathing machine,” turns liquid asthma medicine into a mist that you breathe in through a mask or mouthpiece. It can be easier to use than an inhaler for some people—just breathe normally while the machine runs.

Nebulizers and their medicines should be prescribed by a doctor, and your insurance may cover the cost. 

 A spacer is a tube or chamber that attaches to your inhaler (MDI) to make it easier to breathe in your asthma medicine. It slows the medication so you can inhale it slowly and deeply, helping more medicine reach your lungs and less stay in your mouth or throat. Spacers also make it easier to coordinate pressing the inhaler and breathing in.

Soft mist inhalers turn liquid medicine into a fine mist. You breathe the mist in through your mouth to get the medicine to your lungs.