Fostair Nexthaler is a Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI), Not a Metered-Dose Inhaler (MDI)
Fostair Nexthaler is a dry powder inhaler (DPI), not a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). The Nexthaler device delivers an extrafine fixed combination of beclometasone dipropionate and formoterol fumarate in a dry powder formulation 1.
Understanding Inhaler Types
Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs)
- Fostair Nexthaler is specifically designed as an innovative dry powder inhaler that delivers extrafine particles of beclometasone dipropionate and formoterol fumarate 1
- DPIs like Nexthaler are breath-activated devices that don't require propellants
- The NEXThaler DPI has been developed to provide an alternative drug delivery system to the pMDI version of the same medication (Foster) 2
Metered-Dose Inhalers (MDIs)
- MDIs use propellants (typically hydrofluoroalkanes) to deliver medication
- The same medication combination (beclometasone/formoterol) is also available in an MDI formulation called Foster pMDI 2
- MDIs require hand-breath coordination which can be challenging for some patients
Evidence Supporting Nexthaler as a DPI
Multiple studies confirm that Fostair Nexthaler is a dry powder inhaler:
- A 2014 expert review specifically describes NEXThaler as "an innovative dry powder inhaler (DPI)" delivering an extrafine fixed combination of beclometasone and formoterol 1
- A 2015 randomized controlled trial directly compared "extrafine BDP/FF NEXThaler® (DPI)" with "extrafine BDP/FF pMDI" as two different delivery systems for the same medication 2
- A 2017 cardiovascular safety study explicitly compared "BDP/FF DPI" (Nexthaler) with "BDP/FF pMDI" as distinct formulations 3
Clinical Implications
The distinction between DPI and MDI is important for several reasons:
- Technique differences: DPIs require a strong and deep inhalation, while MDIs require slow, gentle inhalation with good coordination
- Environmental impact: DPIs generally have a lower carbon footprint compared to propellant-based MDIs 4
- Patient selection: DPIs may be preferred for patients with poor hand-breath coordination but adequate inspiratory flow 4
- Reliability: The NEXThaler has shown consistent dose delivery even when used at different angles or after accidental drops, unlike some other DPI devices 5
Conclusion
Fostair Nexthaler is definitively a dry powder inhaler (DPI) that delivers an extrafine combination of beclometasone dipropionate and formoterol fumarate. It represents an alternative delivery system to the same medication combination available in MDI format (Foster pMDI).