Medication Administration with Inhalers or Nebulizers

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Project Line:
Health Technology Review
Project Sub Line:
Rapid Review
Project Number:
RC1390-000

Question

  1. What is the clinical effectiveness of medication administration via metered-dose inhalers versus nebulizers?
  2. What is the cost-effectiveness of medication administration via metered-dose inhalers versus nebulizers?
  3. What is the clinical effectiveness of medication administration via dry powder inhalers versus nebulizers?
  4. What is the cost-effectiveness of medication administration via dry powder inhalers versus nebulizers?
  5. What is the clinical effectiveness of medication administration via dry powder inhalers versus metered-dose inhalers?
  6. What is the cost-effectiveness of medication administration via dry powder inhalers versus metered-dose inhalers?
  7. What are the evidence-based guidelines regarding dry powder inhalers, nebulizers, and metered-dose inhalers for medication administration?

Key Message

Delivery of medication via metered-dose inhalers to children or adults with asthma, or adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at emergency departments or intensive care units, may be as effective as nebulizers in terms of clinical parameters and health care resource use.Limited data on adverse events showed no significant differences between metered-dose inhalers and nebulizers.No evidence was found on the clinical effectiveness of dry powder inhalers in comparison with nebulizers or metered-dose inhalers.No evidence was found on the cost-effectiveness of medication administration via metered-dose inhalers, nebulizers, or dry powder inhalers in comparison with each other.No evidence-based guidelines with recommendations regarding the comparative use of metered-dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, or nebulizers for administration of medication were identified.