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What Is the Value in Using a Spacer?

AAFA's Ask the Allergist Service 10/24/229:39 AM

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Question

So, one thing that took me MANY years to understand is the value of using a spacer. For years I did not know that it was a must use with puffers. Until now I did not know it was something my doctor could give me a prescription for. I have been struggling on my own to find them.

Answer

Spacers are very useful to help deliver asthma medications into the lungs. They help the patient coordinate dispensing the medicine and breathing it in when using the inhaler. Spacers are generally only used with metered-dose inhalers (MDI) that spray the medicine out in a short burst. Using a spacer also helps to prevent side effects of the medications such as thrush.

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Comments (2)

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Zulema C.AAFA Support Center Manager

@Nathan Pounds- Thanks for sharing this article! Using a spacer correctly and cleaning it regularly is important! Here is a video for Tips for Improving Your Inhaler Technique.

When cleaning a spacer, it's important to use water and a detergent. Cleaning your spacer with only water causes an electrostatic charge. This affects how much medicine sticks on the inside of the spacer.

10/24/2210:27 AM

Nathan PoundsMember

“In view of the many advantages and few disadvantages of spacers/VHCs, every patient treated with a pMDI should own and regularly use a spacer/VHC, and know how to use it properly, both for routine preventer therapy and in an emergency, and how to keep it clean and keep an eye out for faults.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6004521/

10/24/229:52 AM

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What Is the Value in Using a Spacer?

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