Using a spacer with an asthma inhaler

It holds the released mist briefly, allowing the user to breathe it in without pressing the canister and inhaling at exactly the same instant. Spacers are not suitable for every inhaler design, so the device and technique should be matched by a clinician or pharmacist.

With a pressurised metered-dose inhaler used alone, poor timing or a breath that is too fast may leave more medicine in the mouth. A spacer gives the aerosol room to slow and can make delivery easier for children and adults who find coordination difficult.

The spacer is a delivery aid, not a medicine and not a substitute for an asthma action plan. It does not show how well asthma is controlled. Increasing cough, wheeze, chest tightness, night waking, or reliever need still calls for review even when technique appears good.

Assemble the spacer according to its instructions, remove the inhaler cap, check the mouthpiece, shake the inhaler, and fit it firmly. Seal your lips around the spacer mouthpiece, release one puff, then inhale as demonstrated for your device. If another puff is prescribed, prepare it separately rather than spraying several puffs into the chamber together.

Follow the manufacturer's cleaning method because washing and drying instructions differ. Letting a washed chamber air-dry may help limit static inside some plastic models; do not rub it dry unless its instructions say to. Check valves, cracks, fit, and replacement guidance regularly. Never share a personal spacer.

Seek emergency medical help when breathlessness is severe, speaking becomes difficult, lips look blue or grey, the person becomes exhausted or confused, or prescribed reliever treatment is not helping as set out in the action plan. Continue the plan's emergency steps while help is on the way.

Arrange a timely asthma review if symptoms are waking you, limiting usual activity, returning soon after relief, or requiring the reliever more often than the plan allows. Also request help when a valve sticks, the inhaler does not fit, or you cannot tell whether medicine is reaching the chamber.

Take the inhaler and spacer to appointments. Ask the clinician or pharmacist to watch you use them, confirm the breathing method for that model, explain cleaning and replacement, and show how the spacer fits into both daily controller treatment and the emergency action plan.