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| Home > Treatment Options > Commonly Used Asthma Devices > Inhalers vs Spacers |
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Asthma inhalers are devices that allow medications to be delivered directly to the lungs where people with asthma need it. There are 2 main types of hand-held inhalers: metered-dose and dry-powder asthma inhalers.
Asthma spacers are attachments for metered-dose inhalers that some patients use to help make it easier to deliver medication to their lungs, where it's needed.
Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs)
This type of inhaler uses a gas propellant to deliver medication right into your lungs. Although MDIs have been in use for many years, not everyone finds it easy to use an MDI. Some may find it difficult to inhale while pressing the inhaler. Some children and elderly people may have trouble using an MDI.
Click here to download instructions for using an MDI
If you have difficulties using an MDI, your healthcare professional may suggest that you use an accessory called a spacer. This device eliminates the need to coordinate the actuation of the inhaler with inhaling. This helps deliver more of the medication to your lungs.
Dry-powder inhalers (DPIs)
This type of inhaler also delivers medications directly into your lungs, but it does not require coordination of the actuation with inhaling. More and more asthma medications are becoming available in DPI form.
About spacers
If you're using a metered-dose inhaler, your healthcare professional may recommend using a spacer to help with the delivery of your medication. Spacers are especially helpful for children or people who have trouble breathing in while pressing the inhaler.
Spacers can help you inhale your medication into the lower airways—where it's supposed to go—instead of into your throat. Most types of spacers fit onto the end of an inhaler.
Spacers with holding chambers and one-way valves prevent medication from escaping into the air.
Spacers are designed to make MDIs easier to use, but they can be bulky and more difficult to carry around.
For best results with any inhaler or spacer, carefully follow the instructions for your specific model.
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Commonly Used Asthma Devices |
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