Volumatic Spacer

• More medication gets into your lungs than if you use a puffer on its own.
• They reduce the local side effects of inhaled steroids in preventer medications, because less of the medication sticks in your mouth and throat
• You don’t need to coordinate pressing your puffer and breathing in at the same time
• Reliever medication via a spacer is at least as effective as via a nebuliser in anasthma attack, and you can take the medication faster and in a lower dose than with a nebuliser. This is because the spacer delivers the medication more effectively. This lower dose reduces the risk of side effects such as fast heart rate and tremor which can be caused by the reliever

Who should use a spacer?

Everyone who uses a puffer for their medication is recommended to use a spacer

Which type is best?

There are a range of spacers available, in different shapes, sizes and colours. There are two main differences: large volume and small volume.

Large volume spacers are an oval shape, and are bigger. These should be used only for adults or children over five years old, as younger children aren’t able to take deep enough breaths to empty the spacer out.

Small volume spacers are usually shaped more like a tube, or a cone. They are more convenient because they are smaller and so fit into handbags and schoolbags more easily. Children under five should use a small volume spacer. Many older children and adults also use small volume spacers because they are more portable.

Young children should use a face mask with their spacer (as they have trouble sealing their lips around a mouthpiece), but once they are over about two years of age you can start to introduce them to using a mouthpiece instead, depending on what they are comfortable with. Using a spacer with a mouthpiece means less of the medication gets stuck in the nose, so more goes into the lungs.

Some spacers only fit certain shapes of puffer. If you have been prescribed an accuhaler or a turbuhaler (which cannot be used with a spacer) you can speak with your doctor to find out if your medication is available in a puffer.

There are a few types of spacers that are ‘disposable’ which means they are made only to last a short time and cannot be cleaned. They may be made from plastic or paper, and they work well, but do not use them for any longer than advised by the manufacturer.

Where do I get one from?

Your local pharmacy may stock a range of spacers. Prices start around $12. You might want to get an extra one to have at work, or to leave with your child at school or childcare.

OATSIH-funded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services can purchase low cost spacers through the Asthma Spacer Ordering System for Aboriginal community controlled health services.