Asthma Spacer
Medications play a very significant role in preventing asthma episodes and in controlling acute episodes when they start. In order for medicines to work as intended, it is extremely important that they be taken correctly and effectively.
A spacer device is a chamber that is used to “hold” the propelled medicine from an MDI (Metered Dose Inhaler), so that it can be inhaled slowly and deeply. This assures that the medicine is reaching the lungs where it is needed and not escaping into the air or landing on the lining of the mouth or back of the throat.
[1] Shake MDI well & remove caps on mouthpieces of the spacer & MDI.
[2] Place MDI mouthpiece into the spacer opening with canister pointing up.
[3] Exhale completely.
[4] Place mouthpiece of the spacer in mouth, closing teeth, lips & tongue around it.
[5] Spray one puff of medicine into the chamber at a time.
[6] Take a deep breath slowly through the mouth, over 3-5 seconds. If you hear a whistling sound, you are inhaling too quickly. Slow down with the next breath.
[7] Hold your breath for 10 seconds after inhaling medicine. This allows the medicine be absorbed by the lungs. Exhaling too soon means you’re exhaling the medicine.
[8] Remove the chamber and exhale.
[9] To take a second, or additional puffs, wait 30-60 seconds and repeat the above steps.
[10] Replace the caps on both the spacer and MDI when finished.