Aerochamber
Large volume spacer
Here are some examples of spacer devices. They are used together with your metered dose inhaler and are useful if you have difficulty coordinating your breath in (as you press the inhaler) and after as you hold your breath.
A spacer holds the drug in the chamber which gives you time to breathe in and out. You can take more than one breath to get the medication into your lungs.
Watch a video from Itchy Sneezy Wheezy on using an inhaler with a spacer.
Spacer devices:
- Should be washed once a month with warm soapy water and left to air dry.
- Don’t dry them with a towel as this can build up static in the spacer and stop it working properly.
- They usually last 6-12 months before they need replaced.
Self management
Spacer devices are also used for ‘multi-dosing’. This is a great way of getting medication to the lungs especially in asthma attacks – in actual fact this method is as effective as using a nebuliser. The inhaler should be fitted into the spacer after shaking, pressed once and inhaled normally over 5 – 10 breaths. These steps should then be repeated as directed, usually for between 5 and 10 doses of the inhaler, shaking before doses as usual. It is important though that each dose is inhaled separately – it won’t be as effective if more than one dose is fired from the inhaler rapidly after each other, they need to be given and taken individually; multi-dosing means taking more than the usual two puffs via the spacer.
