Funhaler spacer: improving adherence without compromising delivery

A novel asthma spacer device, the “Funhaler”, incorporates incentive toys which are isolated from the main inspiratory circuit by a valve. Here we show that its use does not compromise drug delivery. Improved adherence combined with satisfactory delivery characteristics suggest that the Funhaler may be useful for management of young asthmatics.

[1]  A. Bauman,et al.  Asthma management and morbidity in Australian general practice: the relationship between patient and doctor estimates. , 1995, Respiratory medicine.

[2]  M. Pringle,et al.  Morbidity from asthma in relation to regular treatment: a community based study , 1999, Thorax.

[3]  C. Rand,et al.  Nonadherence in asthmatic patients: is there a solution to the problem? , 1997, Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.

[4]  N. Smith,et al.  Medication compliance in children with asthma , 1984, Australian paediatric journal.

[5]  C. Rand,et al.  Noncompliance and treatment failure in children with asthma. , 1996, The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology.

[6]  C. Rand,et al.  Measuring adherence to asthma medication regimens. , 1994, American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine.

[7]  R. Iles,et al.  Crying significantly reduces absorption of aerosolised drug in infants , 1999, Archives of disease in childhood.

[8]  L. Fabbri,et al.  Improving patient compliance with asthma therapy. , 2000, Respiratory medicine.

[9]  F. Dekker,et al.  Compliance with pulmonary medication in general practice. , 1993, The European respiratory journal.

[10]  W. Hop,et al.  Variability of aerosol delivery via spacer devices in young asthmatic children in daily life. , 1999, The European respiratory journal.

[11]  R. Geller,et al.  Treatment adherence among low-income children with asthma. , 1998, Journal of pediatric psychology.

[12]  C. Cole,et al.  Special problems in aerosol delivery: neonatal and pediatric considerations. , 2000, Respiratory care.

[13]  J. Wildhaber,et al.  Effect of electrostatic charge, flow, delay and multiple actuations on the in vitro delivery of salbutamol from different small volume spacers for infants. , 1996, Thorax.

[14]  W. Hop,et al.  Aerosol delivery from spacers in wheezy infants: a daily life study. , 2000, The European respiratory journal.

[15]  D. Matsui Drug compliance in pediatrics. Clinical and research issues. , 1997, Pediatric clinics of North America.

[16]  A. Tal,et al.  Deposition pattern of radiolabeled salbutamol inhaled from a metered-dose inhaler by means of a spacer with mask in young children with airway obstruction. , 1996, The Journal of pediatrics.

[17]  T. Aitchison,et al.  Compliance with inhaled asthma medication in preschool children. , 1995, Thorax.

[18]  S. Cunningham,et al.  Reduction of morbidity in asthmatic children given a spacer device. , 1994, Chest.

[19]  P. Brand,et al.  Poor inhalation technique, even after inhalation instructions, in children with asthma , 2000, Pediatric pulmonology.