Asthma inhalers get smart

Your asthma inhaler is going online.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first inhaler that can measure how much and how well you use the inhaler — and send the data to you and your doctor.

The new inhaler is approved for use in people aged four years and older.

According to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, patients will download a mobile app that connects via bluetooth to the ProAir Digihaler. Sensors in the inhaler will detect how often patients use the inhaler and how effectively they breathe in. That data is sent to the app. Patients can then share data with their doctor.

The ProAir Digihaler contains albuterol sulfate powder for inhalation, helping to relax the patient’s airways so they can breathe easier. It also delivers a warmer, less forceful, longer-lasting spray that allows patients more time to inhale and provides a consistent dose of medicine when needed.

Teva said its Digihaler would be available in 2019 through a small number of programs but a national launch is planned for 2020.

No information was immediately available on cost.