Spacer Devices for Inhalers: Benefits and Uses

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What is a spacer device?

A spacer device is a large plastic container, often in two halves that click together. At one end is a mouthpiece and at the other end is a hole for inserting the mouthpiece of an MDI. The dose from your inhaler is sprayed into the spacer, from where it can be inhaled without needing to coordinate breathing and pushing down the inhaler canister.

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.

Who should use a spacer device?

Spacer devices are particularly useful for patients such as those with poor inhalation technique, elderly patients, those requiring high doses of inhaled corticosteroids, and for patients prone to candidiasis with inhaled corticosteroids. The spacer device used should be compatible with the prescribed inhaler.

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.

What is a spacer in MDI?

A spacer is a device designed to make an MDI easier to use, thus delivering more medicine directly into the lungs where it is needed. This makes the medicine more effective and reduces the side effects that may occur from inhaling the medicine into the mouth or throat. What is a spacer device?

What Is Spacer Devices

1. https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/symptoms-tests-treatments/treatments/spacers
2. https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/conditions/allergy-and-asthma/a6114/how-to-use-your-spacer-device/
3. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summaries/respiratory-system-inhaled-drug-delivery/
4. https://www.dudleyrespiratorygroup.org/assets/downloads/Asthma_4pp_Simple_Guide_V2.4_.2_.pdf
5. https://www.swallowingdifficulties.com/patients/what-is-an-inhaler/spacer-device-use/?s=
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6004521/
7. https://www.healthline.com/health/asthma/inhaler-spacer
8. https://www.respelearning.scot/topic-3-treatment/inhalers/spacer-devices
9. https://asthma.net/living/spacers
10. https://www.cpcw.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2021/05/UK-AC-061g-0321-Spacer-Patint-Information-Leaflet-SPIL-Certified-for-Use.pdf

Spacer Devices Information

1. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9726/pil
2. https://www.dudleyformulary.nhs.uk/download/451/spacer-devices-leaflet
3. https://int.sussex.ics.nhs.uk/clinical_documents/inhaler-technique-metered-dose-inhaler-spacer/
4. https://mylungsmylife.org/topics/group-3/a-practical-guide-to-inhalers/mdi-puffer-large-volume-volumatic-spacer/
5. https://www.sfh-tr.nhs.uk/media/1858/pil202309-05-lvssb-large-volume-spacer-single-breath.pdf