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Using a Metered-Dose Inhaler With a Spacer

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Step-by-Step

Hands scrubbing with soap under faucet with running water.

Wash your hands.

Canister visible at top of inhaler, with arrow pointing to date on canister.

Check the expiration date.

Hand holding inhaler upright, with other hand removing cap from mouthpiece.

Take the cap off the inhaler.

Hand holding inhaler upright, shaking inhaler up and down, with clock showing time passing.

Shake the inhaler for 5 seconds.

Hand holding inhaler upright and pointed away, with finger pressing on top of inhaler to spray medicine.

Press on the top 3 times to prime, if needed.

Spacer with cap removed from its mouthpiece.

Take the cap off the spacer.

Person looking into spacer’s mouthpiece.

Make sure the spacer is clean and empty.

Inhaler’s mouthpiece being put into spacer, with inhaler upright.

Put the inhaler’s mouthpiece into the spacer.

Person standing straight and person sitting straight in chair.

Sit or stand up straight.

Person breathing in through mouth.

Breathe in once.

Person breathing out through mouth.

Breathe out completely.

Person holding spacer to mouth, with lips closed around mouthpiece.

Place the spacer's mouthpiece in your mouth.

Person holding spacer to mouth, pressing top of inhaler to spray medicine.

Press down on the top of the inhaler once.

Person holding spacer to mouth while inhaling medicine, with clock showing time passing.

Breathe in slowly for 5 seconds.

Person holding breath after removing spacer from mouth, with clock showing time passing.

Hold your breath for 10 seconds.

Person breathing out through mouth.

Breathe out slowly.

Person using inhaler with spacer a second time.

Wait 1 minute to repeat, if needed. Shake the inhaler again before the second puff.

Hand holding inhaler upright, with other hand placing cap back on mouthpiece.

Put the cap back on the inhaler.

Person holding glass of water and swishing water in mouth.

Rinse your mouth out.

Person spitting water into sink.

Spit.

Where can you learn more?

Go to http://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter K111 in the search box to learn more about "Using a Metered-Dose Inhaler With a Spacer".

Current as of: February 27, 2026

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: February 27, 2026

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.