Spacer Device - Enhancing Inhaler Efficiency

A medical device used with an inhaler to improve the delivery of medication to the lungs, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma.

Spacer Device FAQ

Image credit: trionpharma.co.uk

What is a spacer & how does it work?

A spacer is a device designed to make an MDI easier to use by delivering more medicine directly into the lungs. A spacer device is particularly useful for babies and small children who do not have coordination. Paediatric spacers have a small mask that fits onto the mouthpiece of the spacer and is placed over the child's nose and mouth.

What are the different types of spacer devices?

There are several brands of spacer device available and they are all different (including Volumatic, Optichamber and Aerochamber). Each spacer device fits different inhalers so it is important to get the right spacer device that fits your inhaler. The inhaler mouthpiece must fit snugly into the spacer hole. Spacers are available on prescription.

What is a spacer in an asthma inhaler?

A spacer is a device designed to make an asthma inhaler easier to use by delivering more medicine directly into the lungs. Struggling with your asthma medicine? An asthma inhaler works most effectively if you deliver your medication slowly, so this is where a spacer device can be useful to help you achieve this goal.

Why do you need a spacer device?

The spacer device also helps to slow down the aerosolised particles that you breathe in, helping them to get down into the lung and giving you longer to breathe them in. Spacer devices are commonly used in children who need to use inhalers and will often have a mask attached to them which goes over the child’s nose and mouth.

What is a spacer in a medicine inhaler?

Spacers are empty tubes that are usually made from plastic. You slot your inhaler into one end of the spacer and breathe the medicine in through the other end. They help you get the best from your medicine if you use a metered dose inhaler (MDI).

How do you use a spacer on a MDI inhaler?

Using a spacer with your Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) is a more effective way of getting the medication to your lungs. It helps to prevent deposits of inhaled medication in your mouth and stomach. Remove the caps from the inhaler and the spacer (if there is one). Shake the inhaler briskly four or five times. Insert the inhaler into the spacer.

How does a pMDI spacer work?

How does it work? yA spacer has a mouthpiece or a mask on one end and a hole where your pMDI or puffer inhaler attaches at the other end1,4 yWhen you press your pMDI or puffer inhaler, your medicine collects inside the spacer1 yMost spacers have a valve that opens when you breathe in and closes when you breathe out4