Benefits of using a spacer with a metered-dose inhaler to help control asthma

View the images below to see the benefits of using a spacer. 

Metered-dose inhaler without a spacer

When you use an MDI without a spacer, the medication stays in the mouth and throat, then is swallowed into the stomach. Very little medication reaches the lungs.

Metered-dose inhaler with a spacer

When you use an MDI with a spacer, the medication reaches deep into the lungs where it needs to go in order to work.