When you have asthma, your asthma inhalers, handheld devices that deliver medicine directly to the lungs to control or stop symptoms. Also known as puffers, they’re often the first line of defense against wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. But not all inhalers are the same. Some are for daily control, others are for sudden attacks. Using the wrong one at the wrong time can make your asthma worse—or worse, leave you without help when you need it most.
Rescue inhalers, quick-acting bronchodilators like albuterol that open airways within minutes during an asthma attack. Also known as short-acting beta-agonists, they’re your emergency tool. These are the ones you keep in your bag, car, or bedside table. Then there’s maintenance inhalers, long-term controllers like corticosteroids that reduce inflammation and prevent attacks over time. Also known as preventer inhalers, they don’t work right away—you have to use them every day, even when you feel fine. Skipping them because you feel okay is like turning off your car’s engine because the road is smooth today. It might seem fine for a while, but trouble is coming.
Many people mix them up. They use their rescue inhaler every day because they’re always wheezing, never realizing their maintenance inhaler isn’t working right—or they never got one. That’s why regular checkups matter. A simple spirometry test can show if your lungs are improving or if your meds need adjusting. And it’s not just about the drug—it’s about how you use it. A poorly timed puff, no spacer, or not holding your breath after inhaling? You might be getting less than 20% of the medicine. That’s why guides on proper technique are just as important as the prescription.
What you’ll find below are real, practical comparisons and tips from people who’ve been there. From how to tell if your inhaler is empty to why some people need a spacer and others don’t, from how to avoid common mistakes that make asthma flare-ups worse to understanding when a new inhaler might be better than your old one. These aren’t theory pages. They’re the kind of advice you wish you’d heard before your last attack.
Oct, 30 2025
Compare Asthalin inhaler with its alternatives like Ventolin and generic salbutamol. Learn which options are just as effective, how to save money, and when to talk to your doctor about asthma control.