What is the purpose of using a spacer with inhalers?

Using a spacer with inhalers significantly enhances medication delivery to the lungs. Spacers are designed to be used with metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) to help improve the amount of medication that reaches the airways. When an inhaler is used without a spacer, some medication can be lost in the mouth or throat due to premature inhalation or improper technique. A spacer creates a chamber that allows the aerosolized medication to disperse and slow down before it is inhaled, making it easier to draw the medication deep into the lungs.

This improved delivery is especially beneficial for patients, particularly children or those who have difficulty coordinating inhalation with actuation of the inhaler, as it increases the likelihood that the medication will effectively reach the intended site of action in the respiratory system, ultimately leading to better management of respiratory conditions.