Your Inhaler, Spacer and Mouthpiece (for teens)
To treat some medical conditions, the doctor may recommend an inhaler, spacer and mouthpiece. The medicine can help reduce your symptoms. Follow the directions below so you can breathe more easily.
Using Your Spacer with Mouthpiece
1. Remove the cap from your inhaler. Insert the inhaler
into the spacer and shake it for ten seconds.
2. Place the mouthpiece of the spacer into your mouth.
Make sure it is behind your teeth and your tongue doesn’t
block the mouthpiece. Close your lips tightly around the mouthpiece.
3. Press and release your inhaler 1 time to puff.
4. Keep the spacer in your mouth and take a deep, slow
breath in. A soft whistle means you are getting the
medicine. A big whistle means you need to breathe more slowly.
5. Hold your breath for 10 seconds.
6. Breathe out into the room.
7. Repeat for additional puffs. The doctor will tell you how many.
8. Rinse your mouth.
Should you clean your spacer (chamber)?
Clean the spacer (chamber) once a week or when it is cloudy or foggy. The package instructions will tell you how to wash it.
How do you know when your inhaler is empty?
If your inhaler has a counter, you are out of medicine when your counter says zero (“0”).
The medicine in your ______________________ inhaler lasts for _____________days.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 212-263-5940.
A member of our team would be happy to help you.
Created in partnership with families and expertise from our Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care
© NYU Langone Health. All rights reserved. Reviewed for health literacy. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care provider's instructions.
Your Inhaler, Spacer and Mouthpiece (for teens)
To treat some medical conditions, the doctor may recommend an inhaler, spacer and mouthpiece. The medicine can help reduce your symptoms. Follow the directions below so you can breathe more easily.
Using Your Spacer with Mouthpiece
1. Remove the cap from your inhaler. Insert the inhaler
into the spacer and shake it for ten seconds.
2. Place the mouthpiece of the spacer into your mouth.
Make sure it is behind your teeth and your tongue doesn’t
block the mouthpiece. Close your lips tightly around the mouthpiece.
3. Press and release your inhaler 1 time to puff.
4. Keep the spacer in your mouth and take a deep, slow
breath in. A soft whistle means you are getting the
medicine. A big whistle means you need to breathe more slowly.
5. Hold your breath for 10 seconds.
6. Breathe out into the room.
7. Repeat for additional puffs. The doctor will tell you how many.
8. Rinse your mouth.
Should you clean your spacer (chamber)?
Clean the spacer (chamber) once a week or when it is cloudy or foggy. The package instructions will tell you how to wash it.
How do you know when your inhaler is empty?
If your inhaler has a counter, you are out of medicine when your counter says zero (“0”).
The medicine in your ______________________ inhaler lasts for _____________days.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 212-263-5940.
A member of our team would be happy to help you.
Created in partnership with families and expertise from our Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care
© NYU Langone Health. All rights reserved. Reviewed for health literacy. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care provider's instructions.