There are three different types of inhalers, reliever inhalers, preventer inhalers, and combination inhalers.
Reliever inhalers - These are your blue inhalers and they’re given to people with asthma or COPD to relieve symptoms. They’re usually used a few times a week, depending on what your doctor recommends.
Preventer inhalers - These are your brown inhalers and they’re given to people who need to use reliever inhalers often. They help to reduce inflammation and sensitivity in your airways by using a steroid and are used every day to help reduce your symptoms.
Combination inhalers - These are given to people who find that the combination of reliever and preventer inhalers isn’t enough to control their asthma symptoms. They can be different colours, depending on the inhaler you need. They’re used every day to prevent your symptoms and can be used again if you get symptoms during the day.