Spacer

Why should I use a spacer?

More medication gets into your lungs than if you use a puffer on its own.

Reduce the local side effects of inhaled steroids in preventer medications (because less of the medication sticks in your mouth and throat)

Don't need to coordinate pressing your puffer and breathing in at the same time

Reliever medication via a spacer is at least as effective as via a nebuliser in an asthma attack

Type of spacer

There are a range of spacers available, in different shapes, sizes and colours. There are two main differences: large volume and small volume.

Large volume spacers are an oval shape, and are bigger. One of the most common ones is the Volumatic spacer. These should be used only for adults or children over five years old, as younger children aren’t able to take deep enough breaths to empty the spacer out.

Small volume spacers are usually shaped more like a tube, or a cone. They are more convenient because they are smaller and so fit into handbags and schoolbags more easily. Children under five should use a small volume spacer. Many older children and adults also use small volume spacers because they are more portable.

How to use spacer

How to help your child to use a spacer device

Extra tips for use of spacer

When educating a patient who is new to spacer or puffer, I would say "fire" a few puff of your medication into your new spacer before use ( to coat a layer around it before use).

In cases where the puffer is new as well, instead of priming ( wasting a few puffs to ensure that the medication is loaded properly) in the air, I encourage the patient to prime it into the spacer.

When to clean my spacer?

- Wash it the first time before you use a new spacer and every MONTH thereafter.

How to clean my spacer?

- Take the spacer apart and soak it in clean warm water with dishwashing detergent. DO NOT PUT YOUR HAND INSIDE TO WASH IT .
 - Let it air dry or dip dry.  Don’t rinse the bubbles off it or wipe it, .
   (The residue of the bubbles from the detergent puts a coating on the inside of the spacer/ acting as a surfactant. This stops the creation of static electricity inside, which can make the medication stick to the sides of the spacer instead of travelling through it when breathed in.)
 - Some spacers have a removable valve (a piece of rubber that you can take out and wash separately).

Tips for Tilade or Intal users

If you are using Tilade or Intal ( types of preventer medication) you should wash your spacer more frequently. These medications are quite sticky, and build up faster than other medications.

When should I replace my spacer?

Replace your spacer about every 12 months if you use it every day. If it breaks or cracks, get a new one straight away.


Other related devices:
turbuhaler, accuhaler, MDI inhaler/puffer, Handihaler, nebuliser

Reference:
www.asthmafoundation.org.au