A clinical guide to inhalers in Canada
including province-specific information on coverage, cost, and indication
Select your province:
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Which inhaler type is right for your patient?
Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs)
Soft Mist Inhalers (SMIs)
Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs)
Uses the force of patient's lungs to deliver the medication
Environmentally friendly option
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Built-in dose counter on all devices
Powered by a spring to deliver an aerosol mist
Environmentally friendly option
Built-in dose counter on all devices
Uses HFA propellants to deliver medication to the lungs
Greenhouse gas intensive
No dose counter on most devices
Requirements for Use
Minimum age ≥ 4 *
Requires adequate inspiratory flow
Minimum age ≥ 4
Pharmacies should prime canisters prior to dispensing
Any Age
Spacer required (or VHC/facemask)
*DPIs are approved for children aged ≥ 4 years but preschool aged children may not be able to consistently achieve adequate pressures, nor form a tight seal around the mouthpiece of the device and require extensive teaching
Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs)
• Use force of a patient's inhalation to deliver medication
• No propellants required (more environmentally friendly)
• Built-in dose counters (easier to track use)
• Do not require a spacer
• No propellants required (more environmentally friendly)
• Built-in dose counters (easier to track use)
• Do not require a spacer
Soft Mist Inhalers (SMIs)
• Powered by a spring to emit a slow-moving aerosol
• No propellants required (more environmentally friendly)
• Built-in dose counters (easier to track use)
• Do not require a spacer
• No propellants required (more environmentally friendly)
• Built-in dose counters (easier to track use)
• Do not require a spacer
Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs)
• Uses propellants like HFCs to deliver medication (greenhouse gas intensive)
• No dose counters on most
• Require spacers with each use
• No dose counters on most
• Require spacers with each use
