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Helping Your Child Use a Metered-Dose Inhaler Without a Spacer: Care Instructions

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A metered-dose inhaler lets your child breathe medicine into their lungs. "Metered-dose" means that the inhaler gives a measured amount of medicine each time your child uses it. This type of inhaler delivers medicine in the form of a liquid mist.

Doctors recommend using a spacer with most metered-dose inhalers. Using a spacer makes it easier for your child to get medicine in their lungs. But if your child doesn't have a spacer, they can still use their inhaler without it. You can also ask your doctor for a spacer.

  • Read the instructions that come with the inhaler. Inhalers come in different shapes, sizes, and doses. Each kind is used differently.

  • Understand how to use the inhaler. Ask the nurse, doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist to make sure you use it the right way.

  • Make sure you use the right inhaler at the right time. Label each inhaler if you have more than one.

  • Get inhaler refills before you run out. Use the dose counter to see how many doses are left.

  • Follow the instructions for cleaning each inhaler. They will help you do it the right way.

  • Check the instructions to see if you need to prime the inhaler (get it ready) before use. If it needs priming, follow the instructions for how to do so.

How to help your child

Help your child follow these steps for using a metered-dose inhaler without a spacer.

Person shaking inhaler and removing cap.

1. Shake the inhaler for 5 seconds. Remove the cap.

Child holding inhaler.

2. Hold the inhaler upright with the mouthpiece at the bottom.

Child exhaling while holding inhaler.

3. Have your child stand or sit up straight. They should breathe out slowly and completely.

Child with lips closed around inhaler's mouthpiece.

4. Have your child put the inhaler's mouthpiece in their mouth and close their lips tightly around it. They should keep their tongue away from the opening.

Child inhaling from canister and then exhaling.

5. Have your child take a slow, deep breath while pressing the canister 1 time to release a puff of medicine. They should hold their breath for 5 to 10 seconds.

Wristwatch with shading to show elapsed time.

6. If your child needs another puff of medicine, wait 1 minute between puffs.

Person putting cap on inhaler.

7. Replace the cap on the inhaler.

Child rinsing mouth and spitting into cup.

8. Have your child rinse their mouth with water if the inhaler has corticosteroids, such as fluticasone. (Controller inhalers usually have corticosteroids.) Do not let your child swallow the water.

Where can you learn more?

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

Enter G236 in the search box to learn more about "Helping Your Child Use a Metered-Dose Inhaler Without a Spacer: Care Instructions".

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

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

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise 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.