What is the rationale for using a spacer with inhalers?

Using a spacer with inhalers is primarily intended to enhance medication delivery to the lungs. Spacers are designed to improve the effectiveness of inhaled medications by allowing larger particles to settle in the chamber rather than being deposited in the mouth or throat. When a patient uses an inhaler with a spacer, they can inhale the medication more slowly and deeply, which increases the likelihood that the medication reaches the airways and lungs where it is needed for therapeutic effect. This method helps ensure better coordination between the act of inhalation and the release of medication, leading to improved medication absorption and the overall efficacy of the treatment.

While other factors may be considered in inhaler use—such as cost, inhalation time, and particle size—the primary objective of a spacer is to maximize how much medication actually gets into the lungs, thereby optimizing the treatment for respiratory conditions.