Is Adair a metered-dose inhaler (MDI)?

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Last updated: November 19, 2025View editorial policy

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Is Adair a Metered-Dose Inhaler?

I cannot determine if "Adair" is a metered-dose inhaler because this medication name does not appear in any available medical literature, FDA drug databases, or clinical guidelines. The term "Adair" is not recognized as a standard pharmaceutical product name for any inhaler device.

Possible Explanations

  • Misspelling or Brand Name Variation: You may be referring to a medication with a similar name. Common inhaler medications include:

    • Advair (fluticasone/salmeterol) - which is available as both a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) and a dry powder inhaler (DPI) 1
    • Anoro Ellipta - which is a dry powder inhaler, not an MDI 1
  • Regional or International Naming: Some medications have different brand names in different countries, and "Adair" may be a regional variant not covered in the provided evidence.

Key Distinction Between Inhaler Types

If you meant Advair, it's important to know:

  • Advair Diskus is a dry powder inhaler (DPI) that does not require a spacer and is breath-activated 1
  • Advair HFA is a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) that uses propellants to deliver medication and benefits from spacer use 1, 2

MDIs require coordination between actuation and inhalation, while DPIs are breath-activated and require the patient's inspiratory effort 1. MDIs benefit from spacers to improve drug delivery (10-20% lung deposition with spacer versus less without) and reduce oropharyngeal deposition 1, 2.

Clinical Recommendation

Please verify the exact spelling and formulation of the medication in question. If this is indeed "Advair," specify whether it is the Diskus (DPI) or HFA (MDI) formulation, as this fundamentally changes device technique, spacer requirements, and patient education needs 1, 2.

References

Guideline

Inhaler Device Characteristics and Spacer Requirements

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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