A spacer is a 4 - 8 inch tube that fits on the end of the MDI mouthpiece. A spacer is a chamber that can be attached to a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). The spacer chamber may have a one-way valve that allows the medicine to be held in the chamber before it is inhaled. Spacers are used by prescription only, and can be found at some pharmacies or durable medical equipment companies.

A spacer may be used with an inhaler, especially one that contains corticosteroids. Spacers also may be used by children who have difficulty using a metered-dose inhaler correctly. Do not use a dry powder inhaler (DPI) with a spacer.

Spacers hold the "puff" of medicine between you and the MDI, so that you can inhale it slowly and more completely. As a result, more of the medicine gets into your airways. A comfortable mask can be added to the spacer for small children or others who have difficulty maintaining a good lip seal on the mouthpiece.

BENEFITS TO USING A SPACER:

• Helps you to breathe at your own pace.
• Allows more medicine to reach your lungs
• Prevents medicine from escaping into the air
• To be used with all age groups
• Spacers with masks for young children are available

Steps to use your MDI with a spacer:

1. Shake the inhaler well before use (for 5 seconds)
2. Remove the cap from your inhaler, and from your spacer, if it has one
3. Put the inhaler into the spacer
4. Breathe out, away from the spacer
5. Bring the spacer to your mouth, put the mouthpiece between your teeth and close your lips around it
6. Press the top of your inhaler once
7. Breathe in slowly until you've taken a full breath. If you hear a whistle sound, you are breathing in too fast. Slowly breathe in
8. Hold your breath for about ten seconds, then breathe out

Repeat the above steps if another dose has been prescribed.