VAPES containing medicines are faster acting than tablets and could be the future of prescriptions, inventors say.
Scientists are developing devices that can vaporize medications used to treat common illnesses.
They consider that painkillers, antidepressants and migraine treatments can be inhaled, as well as medicines for lung diseases such as asthma and COPD.
This would make medications take effect faster and help patients stick to doses by electronically restricting them to just a few puffs per day.
Dr Federico Buonocore, from Kingston University in south-west London, said: “This technology is very promising.
“The devices would fit in your pocket and be easy to use without any training.
“This would help patients stay on medication so we can reduce hospitalizations and save the NHS money.”
Buonocore published a study last year showing that e-cigarette technology would work with the asthma medication salbutamol.
And US manufacturer Qnovia expects its RespiRx nicotine replacement device to be approved for prescription in the UK in 2026 to help smokers quit.
Boss Brian Quigley said: “One of the biggest benefits is the speed of delivery into the bloodstream.
“Injection is the quickest and then comes inhalation, before pills or skin patches.
“This could work in areas where you need immediate relief.”
Higher e-cigarette rate
The proportion of Brits who vape has reached its highest level, figures show.
One in nine – almost twice as many as three years ago – uses e-cigarettes.
This suggests that 5.6 million people, the highest number ever recorded, are vapers.
The majority are former tobacco smokers, many of them turning to tobacco to quit smoking. But they tend to use e-cigarettes for longer.
More than half did so at least three years ago, reveals research by Action on Smoking and Health.
Ash welcomed the move away from tobacco, but still wants stricter regulation to stop children starting to use e-cigarettes, as “they are not without risks”.
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