Key takeaways:
Smart inhalers (also called digital inhalers) apply modern technology to existing inhalers. They can help people with chronic lung conditions to use their inhalers more effectively.
There are currently two FDA-cleared smart inhalers. Both devices are sensors you attach to a traditional inhaler.
Research suggests that smart inhalers can help people use their inhalers more effectively. They also help people remember doses of their maintenance (everyday) inhalers better.
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Lung conditions are common. Nearly 25 million people in the U.S. have asthma. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects close to 16 million people. Both conditions can cause severe breathing troubles and a lower quality of life.
Most people with lung conditions use inhalers to help manage their symptoms. But one downside to inhalers is that it takes practice to learn how to use them correctly. It can also be tough for some people to remember when they last used an inhaler. Both of these issues can mean worse symptoms and more trouble breathing.
In recent years, multiple technology companies and pharmaceutical manufacturers have tried to find a solution. This led to the development of smart inhalers (also called digital inhalers). But do they really have an edge over traditional inhalers?
What is a smart inhaler?
A smart inhaler is an inhaler that technology has enhanced. A smart inhaler is an example of a digital medicine. These medical devices use technology to help collect health information. This information can help your healthcare team make more personalized treatment decisions.
How do smart inhalers work?
As of April 2025, the available smart inhalers aren’t inhalers at all. They’re smart sensors that you place on the inhaler(s) you have. These sensors have the following features:
Bluetooth connectivity: Smart inhaler sensors use Bluetooth technology to connect to a compatible smartphone or mobile device.
Application for your phone or device: Each smart inhaler sensor uses its own app. This is where you can track your inhaler use and share information with your healthcare team.
Reminders: Smart inhaler sensor apps can send you reminders when it’s time for your next dose. This can be helpful for staying on track with long-term maintenance inhalers.
What types of smart inhalers are currently available?
There are currently two FDA-cleared smart inhalers. We’ll highlight key features of each.
Good to know: “FDA cleared” is a term used to describe medical devices that the FDA has reviewed for safety and effectiveness. Many people use the terms “FDA cleared” and “FDA approved” interchangeably. But FDA approval is a different process, and it’s typically only used to review medications and vaccines.
CapMedic
CapMedic is an FDA-cleared smart sensor that attaches to metered-dose inhalers (MDIs). CapMedic displays a friendly, smiley face and can talk to you while using your inhaler. Though it was designed with kids in mind, people of all ages can use it — you’ll just need a prescription from a healthcare professional.
Once you attach CapMedic to your inhaler, it can sense a few things:
How long you shook your MDI before using it
If you were holding your inhaler correctly during a dose
How long you breathed in your dose
If you pushed down on your inhaler as you started breathing in
Save on your inhaler: Asthma inhalers don’t need to break the bank. Here’s how you can save on asthma inhalers.
Powder puffs: Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are a large group of inhalers. Here’s one pharmacist’s breakdown on how to use them and choose the right one.
Are inhalers available OTC? Yes, but they’re not like prescription inhalers. Read about over-the-counter (OTC) inhalers and when they could be helpful.
CapMedic’s sensor works in a few ways to communicate with you. For one, if you’re not holding your MDI upright, the device will tell you. It also lights up and plays music to let you know when to push down on your inhaler. As soon as you’re done with your puff, the lights will be either red or green in color to tell you how well you did with your dose.
It’s important to know that CapMedic sensors don’t know which inhaler you are using. You have to input your inhaler prescription details into the app. Once you do that, every dose for that inhaler will be recorded in the app. The app can also log your inhaler use and allow you to share this information with your prescriber.
When you finish all of the doses in an inhaler, you’ll remove the sensor and attach it to a new inhaler. Each sensor has a rechargeable battery.
- AirduoFluticasone/Salmeterol
- Fluticasone/SalmeterolGeneric Advair and Airduo
- VentolinAlbuterol
Hailie
Hailie is another smart sensor that you attach to your inhaler. Unlike CapMedic, each Hailie sensor is FDA cleared for only one inhaler. So, if you use multiple inhalers, you’ll need a different sensor for each one.
Hailie’s sensors are compatible with several types of inhalers. This includes MDIs, dry powder inhalers (DPIs), Ellipta inhalers, and more. Hailie has both rechargeable and non-rechargeable sensors.
After you attach the sensor, Hailie’s app offers these features:
It can track when you use your inhaler(s).
It can remind you of upcoming doses and alert you about missed doses.
It can display your inhaler use over time.
It can allow you to share the information in the app with your healthcare team.
In the past, you could buy Hailie’s sensors without a prescription. But in 2021, its manufacturer (Adherium) announced they were upgrading the sensors. These new sensors will be able to tell you how well you used your inhaler. But the upgrades require new FDA clearance.
The original Hailie sensors were removed from the market. But previously bought sensors still work, and so does the app. Adherium has been working to get the upgraded Hailie sensors rolled out. They’ve also continued to gain FDA clearance for sensors that will fit more inhalers.
Currently, there’s no information on when Hailie’s upgraded sensors will be available. We also don’t know whether they will require a prescription to buy them.
What about FindAir ONE?
FindAir ONE is a smart inhaler sensor that’s gained popularity in Europe. It’s not currently available in the U.S. But there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the name if you’ve looked online for information about smart inhalers.
FindAir ONE offers sensors that can attach to most types of inhalers. These connect to an app that can:
Provide information about your inhaler usage and use location
Remind you about upcoming doses or alert you about missed doses
Provide local weather information and how it might affect your lung condition
Provide air quality information in your area, which can trigger flare-ups
There’s no word on whether the makers of FindAir ONE plan to seek FDA clearance.
What are the benefits of smart inhalers?
The benefits of smart inhalers are still being studied. But here’s what researchers have found so far:
Smart inhalers help people remember to use their maintenance inhalers as prescribed. This means symptoms should be better managed. Better managed symptoms can help reduce how often people use their rescue inhalers.
Smart inhalers help people improve how they use their inhalers. This is especially the case for MDIs, which are tricky for many people to use properly. This would only apply to smart inhalers that provide in-the-moment feedback on how to position the device, such as CapMedic.
Smart inhalers can help people understand their condition and triggers better. This may help them take more proactive steps in preventing flare-ups.
Smart inhalers allow you to share health data with your healthcare team. Your prescriber can link the information to your medical record. And this can help them make more personalized decisions about your medications.
Where are smart inhalers available?
CapMedic is a prescription-only device. So you’ll need to contact your healthcare team to get started with this smart inhaler sensor. But this isn’t the only required step.
Your healthcare professional also needs to be set up to prescribe CapMedic. If your prescriber is set up, they’ll provide you the sensor and a starter kit in their office. CapMedic isn’t a device you’d pick up from the pharmacy. Keep in mind that you’ll still need to fill your inhaler prescriptions at the pharmacy like you usually would.
Hailie’s original sensors aren’t currently available to buy. And it’s unclear if a prescription will be required after the upgraded sensors become available. More information will be available when Hailie relaunches.
Are smart inhalers covered by insurance?
CapMedic has options for a prescriber to bill your medical insurance (not your prescription insurance). Your insurance plan can tell you whether they may cover this smart inhaler sensor. Your prescriber’s office may also have more information on expected costs.
Because Hailie is temporarily unavailable, it’s unclear if it will be covered by insurance when it returns. But if it becomes available without a prescription, it likely wouldn’t be covered.
The bottom line
Smart inhalers (or digital inhalers) combine modern technology with traditional inhalers. These add-on inhaler sensors can track your use and alert you if you miss doses. Some have extra features, such as telling you how well you’re using your inhaler. The goal with smart inhalers is to help you use your inhaler in the most effective way.
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References
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Adherium. (n.d.). Adherium unveils new FDA-cleared smartinhaler compatible with Airsupra and Breztri inhalation devices.
Adherium. (2021). US FDA 510(k) clearance received for next gen sensor.
Adherium. (2025). $2.6 million capital raise to progress roll-out of Hailie smartinhaler platform in the US.
American Thoracic Society. (2020). Using your metered dose inhaler (MDI). American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Biswas, R. (2018). Capmedic: Simplifying inhalers for regular and correct use. Cognita Labs.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Most recent national asthma data.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About COPD.
Cognita Labs. (2024). CapMedic. AccessGUDID.
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Manzanero, J. (2018). Is my sensor rechargeable or non-rechargeable? Hailie.
Moore, A., et al. (2021). A randomised controlled trial of the effect of a connected inhaler system on medication adherence in uncontrolled asthmatic patients. European Respiratory Journal.
Muoio, D. (2019). FindAir's connected inhaler accessory launches to EU consumers. MobiHealthNews.
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